HogRidr60

I haven’t moved there yet. Just got all the paperwork together last week and was going to send it to the Los Angeles Thai Consulate but have decided to hold back for a few months. I am slightly over 70, have more income than the required 65K per month and really want to retire in Thailand but have concerns about possible unreasonable Immigration laws that might complicate my retirement there. It is their country and I will be a resident, happy to help the economy by purchasing necessities, services, and periodic spending ‘splurges’, and not deliberatly violating any rules, customs, or laws. I just do not want my life there to be complicated.

I am in the process of selling everything I own in the USA, house, car, tools, woodworking equipment, clothes, books, Harley, because as of August 2018, my personal goal was to move to Chiang Mai and retire. I came, I saw, I liked and I decided to move.

OK, then the military government changes the immigration rules so that those that have been lying about their income, all these years, cannot ‘beat the system’ anymore. I say it is your country, and a beautiful one, with a lot to offer to me as a ‘retired resident’, not a leech, or a ‘scammer’ but someone that is very happy to support myself, on the Thai economy, follow your rules and laws. Now, for whatever reason, you have ‘set the bar high’ for a reason that escapes me. I have no trouble depositing the requisite 65,000 b per month.

As a single, 70 year old disabled veteran, even on a perpetual ‘splurge’, the chances of me spending that amount every month are unlikely, but that is me.

I just don’t like being ‘forced’ to put my hard earned income where it serves others than me. I will be happy to buy a place to live, furniture, appliances, car, TVs, room air conditioners, clothing, and whatever ‘tickles my fancy’, hire a maid, maybe a cook, and when I cannot drive, a driver. Also the local hospital, or hospitals I choose will receive my money to keep me healthy. Restaurants, stores, people, business owners, and others will be happy that I am frequently purchasing services, materials, food, and other from their establishments. Airlines and other forms of transportation will also receive some of my income occasionally. When I ‘bite the bullit’ someone can ship my frail carcass back to the USA for burial in a well deserved military cemetery. Story over.

I have ALL the paperwork, forms, proof of income, police criminal clearance letter completely devoid of any negative information, to apply for a ‘one-year’ NON O-A (retirement) VISA which I was planning on sending to the Thailand Consulate in Los Angeles this week. Now, that idea is ‘on hold’ for a few months. I still plan on doing the move but I am hoping that these immigrations changes will not get worse in the next few months. Yes, like others, it kind of appears that the governmental controls do not consider the positive effects we have on the kingdom and these wonderful Thai people.

It may not be contributing much to the Thai world financial standing but it sure doesn’t have any negative effect. I sincerely hope that the kingdom is happy to have me as a resident non-citizen and reflects that in some form of favorable consideration. BTW, I never rant!

19 hours ago, Thanyaburi Mac said:

Before moving to Thailand on a permanent or semi permanent basis, best to sort out your health insurance possibilities beforehand.  After 70, things do start to go down hill for most people.

 

Mac

Thank you. Yes, I have almost finished doing that. My Medicare won’t pay over there but I have TRICARE being retired military and that will pay. Looked at various hospitals in Chiang Mai with RAM at the top of my list. I am a 100% Disabled Veteran and have rarely used the VA medical system. Thingshave been going downhill for years but a reminder is welcome. Appreciate the advice.

20 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

As said you will get a free 30 day visa exempt entry when you arrive. You are confusing it with a 15 day visa on arrival that costs 2000 baht.

The OA visa is a good option. You will need a medical certificate and the criminal background check. There is no need for a permanent residence any address you can put on the form will be accepted. The friends you put can be anybody since the don't verify them. There is no round trip ticket requirement. The fee is $200.

You can apply for the OA visa at the embassy in Washington DC or one of the official consulates in New York, Chicago or Los Angeles.

Requirements for the OA visa is here on the embassy website. http://thaiembdc.org/consular-services/non-immigrant-visas/non-immigrant-category-o/

The big advantage of the OA visa is that you use funds in a US bank to meet the money in the bank option for it. If using a income of 65k baht in the option that advantage goes away since you only need to do a income affidavit at the US embassy to prove the income to apply for a one year extension of stay at immigration here.

If you want to do the extension of stay I suggest you contact one (or more) about getting a single entry non-o visa that will allow a 90 day entry that you can extend at immigration. Contact for them is here. http://thaiembdc.org/royal-thai-honorary-consulates-general-in-the-u-s/

 

Thank you very much for all the information. It is really appreciated.

21 hours ago, glegolo said:

Normally it is a good thing that you ask your questions here at ThaiVISA.com this instead to listening to crap information from friends who normally do not know too much about this matter.

 

I will leave guidence for you to other here, but to start with... You got this on your backfoot already from the beginning. There is NO tourist-VISA that you buy for 2.000 baht inside Thailand, actually you can not buy ANY VISA inside Thailand.

 

You probably refer to the VISA FREE STAY you automaticly gets upon arrivel called TOURIST EXCEMPT VISA  .... And these 30 days are FREE no 2.000 baht involved at all....

 

Good luck

glegolo

Thank you for the in-depth explanation. It is much appreciated.

Hello, I would appreciate some guidance on this please.

I am flying into Chiang Mai in August for 30 days and I know I get an automatic tourist visa for 30 days for 2000 baht.

I am going there to vist friends and look at the possibility of moving there permanently. I am already almost convinced.

I am a U.S. citizen, 70 years of age, with more than adequate pension, disability, and SS to live well in Thailand.

I expect to return within a year to visit again and secure rental housing for my permanent move the following 6 months or longer.

I am thinking that that a Non-Immigrant O - A might be a better visa to get before I go, instead of after I arrive.

I an reading online about proof of income, proof of no medical issues, proof of no criminal convictions, and if I am right on needing these items there is an additional form to indicate my address but that will not be permanent and I only have my round-trip itinerary, no ticket yet. It also requires 2 separate names, I assume a friend’s information but should the other be the landlord.

Then that cost is at least $200

My worse case situation is visit this August then come back to visit in less than a year but maybe not coming back to live permanently.

Any advice will be appreciated

Thank you