Leaver

What about the 800k that farang are supposed to be living on here that doesn't not exist? It's the same. If you don't have money, you go hungry or go home to benefits. If you you can't afford medical, or are uninsured, you go home for free medical, or remain sick, or die. Do you think anyone cares about farang using a dodgy 800k and / or insurance documents? It will not be a secret, and everyone will know what's going on. The farang will technically be insured at the time of visa extension application. Just in the same way he technically had 800k. Let's say a farang actually did get a proper insurance policy. Nothing dodgy. All forms filled out, payment made, policy issued. What's stopping him from cancelling the policy a day after getting the extension, to save some money, or, because he couldn't afford it in the first place? Sure, may lose a month's premium etc, but has he broken any law? It's one think to demand insurance for an annual extension, it's another thing to monitor the farang maintains the insurance policy. Are they going to have 30 day reporting? This is why the guys in Bangkok, all the way down to the agents on the ground, will have "baht signs" in their eyes on this one. Those that have insurance now will continue to maintain it, but those that don't, or can't afford it, or don't qualify for it- CHA-CHING. ???? And, should it also clear out some elderly and unwell farang, they will also see that as a good result. It's not going to be about actually ensuring people are insured. It's simply going to be a corrupt money making law / policy, just like the 800k. It's only a matter of time.

The main reason is financial, and not because I can't afford it. I remember some time ago I posted a more detail analysis, but I will give brief details in this post. My 800k baht equivalent is in a fund in my home country earning around 6% per annum. It's not an aggressive fund. 800k x 6% = 48,000 baht a year. It's liquid, and in a country where I hold citizenship and have rights, has a developed financial system and judicial system. At the time of this post, Kasikorn Bank is offering 0.40% interest on deposits under 10 million baht for a 12 month fixed deposit. 800k x 0.40% = 3200 baht per year. The money is locked in for 12 months, and whilst some leave the 800k in a regular savings or transaction account, using it and going under the 800k, many leave the 800k in the Thai bank, untouched, perpetually. I pay 20,000 baht to the agent. He does the lot. Nothing for me to do. Many argue that their extension only costs 1,900 baht, but to me, their extension costs 42,900 baht. 48,000 - 1,900 - 3,200 = 42,900 baht. This makes a Thai visa / extension expensive, not for the cost to immigration at 1,900 baht, but for the criteria / hoops you have to meet to be able to pay the 1,900 baht. Eg. leaving 800k baht in a Thai bank. Having the 800k in a Thai bank exposes you to more risk in the Thai banking system. Eg. a run on the banks. Also, some issues getting the lump some money out of the country can arise. Maybe Bangkok might order "a haircut" on accounts. Who knows, but if such things happen here, what can foreigners do, sign a petition? ???? I chose not to give a Thai bank a cheap loan of 800k, just so I can "do it myself" every year, thinking I am only paying 1,900 baht to immigration. ????

Sure is. Have to get in early for the lamb here. ????

Legal, but not legal, just the way the Thai's like it. That way, they can manipulate outcomes when they want, and how they want. What would he be exposed for? The agent can arrange a policy for the retiree, just the same way they arrange the 800k in a Thai bank. The extension is approved, the money is returned, and the insurance policy cancelled after the extension is granted. Everyone makes money, including upper management of an insurance company, signing up thousands of retirees across Thailand on 24 hour policies. Once again, legal, but not legal. The retiree was insured at the time of application. Nothing fake about. You don't think the guys in Bangkok would be jumping at this chance to extract billions of baht out of retirees here?

Do the "idiots" just disappear when bars are closed? Perhaps their criminality increases, as they look to alternate means of income.

A lot of work shopping and cooking for the variety that is on offer with the click of a mouse. Not to mention, some months ago, the risk of contracting covid whilst shopping, prior to being vaccinated.

This could make Thailand the gastronomy "hub" of the world. ????

Drug f#%ked. Hopeless.

I use an agent. Like most things in Thailand, they always leave a corrupt avenue available. I think it will still exist for those using agents. Good earner for immigration, pushing all the over 70's or 75's to use agents, because they are too old to qualify for an insurance policy. Big money involved for them.

Once an individual reaches a certain age, many insurance companies will not offer coverage, as it's a bad risk for them. Being wealthy, wealthier, or the wealthiest, doesn't get around this, should the Thai government insists on retirees producing an annual insurance policy in the future.

It will be interesting to see what their next change/s are, and when. It will not stay the same forever.

Yes, Vietnam has overtaken Thailand, and it will not be long before Thailand falls behind Myanmar. https://www.statista.com/statistics/255945/top-countries-of-destination-for-us-rice-exports-2011/

I suppose you only come here for the meat pies. ????

I have been on a few. However, I have never been the owner of a truck company using a ferry service. Have you? Sure, but who says the driver that "rolls" the vehicle on has to be the driver that "rolls" the vehicle off? Is there any reason why the "roll on" driver MUST take the journey with the truck? The company wouldn't even need to leave the keys with the loading master, unless you stipulate they have to. Do you ever move the vehicles onboard whilst at sail? The truck company would have a set of keys with a driver in Sattahip, and a set of keys with a driver in Songkhla. If I was the owner of a truck company using your service, I would basically use your company as a courier for my trucks, and the goods they are carrying, not the drivers and keys, as there is no need. If your company was approached for such an arrangement, what would your answer be?

Same Same. In a country that does not offer a realistic pathway to citizenship and / or permanent residency, nor proper town planning and development laws, freedom of movement, domestically and internationally, is important. Not to forget, the foreign ownership of land laws here also.

So, you want to do a test to show you are negative, so then you can travel to a province that has a higher concentration of covid, for which you don't need a test to enter. Once again, what is the point? How does a negative covid test help your travel to Pattaya? You could catch covid the day you arrive in Pattaya.

I like lamb, but it's a very greasy meat.

Thailand has a 3rd World judicial system, and the odds are stacked against farang here. It's the risk you take when buying a property here.

I agree. It's a part of Thai culture, that became a tourist attraction.

What is the point of doing that, other than seeing at that one point in time, you are negative?

But just as corrupt. ????

They don't have to return to their home country, but many may not be able to afford to continue to live here. Or, the Thai government may change the goal posts in the future, for which many retirees may no longer qualify to remain living here. In such cases, it's of little consequence if you are married, and what you own here.

Did he say the teller only gave him 500k? ????

Good way to end up in a conflict that could lead to violence.

Doesn't the condo management take care of the garden? ???? Yes. I am multi skilled. You are "trapped" Harry. So your Thai wife would actually marry you. ????