James7

Hello,

I'm looking to connect with traders based in LOS to get an idea of your lifestyles.  I'm currently based in Singapore and planning to relocate to Thailand next year.  So, just wanted to get the lay of the land - so to speak...   Forex, Indices and Ccy Futures are my bread and butter.

Do drop me a DM if you are so inclined to give me some pointers in private.

Bottom is almost in then?

Just to clarify, I'm looking for professional physio type and not the one that may offer 'extra' services.

Folks, I'm looking for an experienced soft tissue masseuse to relieve nerve pain/discomfort on neck, upper back and arms.  Does anyone have any recommendations that you've personally used?  I'm currently based near Asoke, but happy to travel within the city.

On 10/28/2022 at 8:36 PM, aublumberg said:

Llikewise. Applied 05 Sep, and got the visa sticker into my passport at the Royal Thai Consulate in Hong Kong on 20 Oct. As long as you meet the criteria and have the supporting paper work evidence, it's straightforward.

May I ask how much in HKD you paid for this? 

1 minute ago, hotandsticky said:

 

I don't think anyone will argue with the value of the 50k one-off visa fee. The issue for us older expats is the health insurance. 

You don't need medical insurance if you have $100k in an account and it doesn't have to be in Thailand.

8 hours ago, BritTim said:

As long as your company is not expecting formal proof that you can legally work remotely without a work permit, you will be OK in practice. The kind of remote work you describe is not technically legal, but is common and is tolerated.

 

If you are on a high salary, you might qualify for a Long Term Resident's Visa (specifically, a category Work-from-Thailand Professional). That allows you to work without a work permit and provides a 10-year visa. The downside will be that you will be expected to pay Thai tax (usually avoided by those quietly working remotely on tourist visas).

I don't think you need to pay income tax on overseas income.  That's what it says on the LTR website, and if you work in Thailand, you get a lower income tax rate.  Source:  https://ltr.boi.go.th/ 

48 minutes ago, nobodysfriend said:

LTR visa is a failure .

Now , it is possible that they will cancel the ' land ownership ' thing even you pay the full price for it .

Why not take an O-X visa ? But need to be 50 yrs old ...

I've some years to go before reaching the big 50.  For me, LTR is perfect as it allows me to work remotely and I fit the criteria. 50k THB for 10 years is acceptable for me for the benefits I get in return.

2 hours ago, ashkale said:

Got my stamps today, paid in cash, took an hour at 830am, appointment set online. Pre-filled documents available to print  on the system Tried opening a bank account before hand but no bank would entertain LTR visa apart from SCB. SCB opened the account right after I showed them the visa stamp. lots of holidays in November 2022 for anyone looking to get appointments.

Thank you for your update. I was under the impression that you can't pay cash and had to use qr code for digital payment. I'm in the same boat.. I dont have a Thai bank account yet. 

Can I ask which branch of SCB you opened the account after getting your LTR stamped? 

10 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

Why does he need a Thai bank account to pay the 50,000 Baht visa fee ?

 

I must have missed that in instructions.

Because you can't pay cash or use credit cards. As I understand you can use only 'e payments' from a local bank. Do correct me if this is wrong. It'll be much easy to pay cash or use credit card. 

46 minutes ago, MJCM said:

Good one, but one problem though he is APPROVED for the LTR but he DOESN'T HAVE IT YET, thus he is facing an up hill struggle, need to have a Valid Thai Visa to open an account which he doesn't have yet and which is needed to open a Thai bank account which he needs to pay for his visa

This is exactly my conundrum. I'm happy to come to Thailand if there is an assured way of opening a bank account at short notice before I go to BOI to get my LTR visa and pay electronically as they dint accept cash. 

I need some guidance please.  I've been approved for the LTR visa and am debating whether to collect it in Singapore where I live or travel to BKK and collect it.  I'd prefer to travel to BKK as I can also finalise a few other matters during the trip.  I'm yet not sure of the LTR costs in Singapore, but going by SMART visa charges, they'll be 25-30% higher than if I were to collect in BKK.  Problem is that I don't yet have a Bank account in Thailand.  I wonder if anyone can advise on if/how I can open a a Thai Bank remotely so that I can transfer some funds and use the account to pay for LTR in BKK?

Thanks!

Can I ask for a reliable agent who you've personally dealt with please? 

I had not realised the market rates. Now I stand corrected. I do need two bed as I am looking to convert one into my working from home office. So it looks like I have to budget 20k a month. Thank you for your inputs. 

Requesting your help to shortlist a few areas to rent a condo for 12 months.

My requirements are:

- good area with ltr/mrt link to BKK airport as I travel aboard frequently

- 2 bed condo that has a good pool and gym would be my ideal

- somewhere low noise and prefer a little high rise (10 floor+).

- budget no more than 15k (ideally towards 10k a month)

- I don't need a new building, but don't want something falling apart either

- prefer walking distance to street food/restaurants

Any suggestions welcome please.

Does anyone know of any Thai insurer who privity cube for LTR requirements?

12 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

Not an ETF but FSCSX has been great to me...

Isn't FSCX an ETF? 

Thank you so much for amazing and useful insights!  I much appreciate it.  

To answer some of the questions above:

- yes I have 100k sitting in the bank not doing anything.  So idea was to do something with it... One of them was property if it's 'value for money'.  I do have access to a large property portfolio I own pretty much mortgage free back in the UK which I can refinance. I'm not looking to finance in Thailand.

- no, I'm not planning to split from my wife!  It's merely that we have different outlook in life (I love scuba diving and travelling and she much prefers to spend time with her siblings).  My wife has a Sri Lankan heritage but born/bred in London.  Key is that I can't stand UK weather esp in Winter and I want to enjoy my 50s so having a base in Asia makes sense for me.  

- as for JB, there are some awesome condos at really cheap prices.  I'm not sure Malaysia (and I lived in KL for a few years) is the right country for me compared to SG or Thailand though somewhere up north or Borneo wouldn't be so bad.

Given your collective advice, I'll look to invest in other assets (likely ETFs) or buy something in SG.

I really appreciate the amount of guidance guys - truly humbled that you all took time to reply.

I need some advice please.

Bit of context:

British Expat of Sri Lankan origin currently living&working in Singapore and in my 40s.  I'm a Singapore PR and a Buddhist.  Married/primary school aged kids. Wife calls London her 'home' and can't wait to get back and put our kids in to UK schools/Uni.  I don't see myself getting old in UK.. I'd rather stay in Singapore where life is actually pretty good for us.

So I'm thinking 5 - 10 year time horizon and where I'd want to retire as I'll be able to retire in my early 50s, if I keep up with my current financial plans/income generation.

Singapore is great but expensive to retire, and there is a risk that PR will not be renewed once I retire.

I can always go back to Sri Lanka, but it is becoming a little China outpost, but with ever increasing corruption, crime possible resurgence of ethnic violence.  The second choice for me in Asia is Thailand which I know and love as I've spent there as my ex was from there.

My wife may or may not join me permanently, but I anticipate us spending time in Asia and having a base either in Singapore, Thailand or Sri Lanka in that order.  Singapore would be awesome, but it's very expensive.

Question:

Is now a good time to buy a condo, with a view to rent (not immediately given Covid, but perhaps in a year?) for the next 5 years and then for me to move and put my feet up in Winter! 

I don't have much liquid cash in the bank (~100k USD), though I suppose I can finance/mortgage. 

Thoughts form you would be very welcome.