A very good friend of mine who is in his early 70s has been coming here one or twice a year for extended periods on an O-A visa. He comes for the same reasons a many single (and perhaps married) foreign guys do. Inexpensive (until recently), female company, and exotic scenery (it ain't Kansas or Texas or anything like America). My friend doesn't drink so I won't add that as an attraction.
With the news that O-A visas were going to require insurance, he relocated his itinerary to Cambodia almost immediately. He began going there right after the initial news regarding insurance broke.
His view is reflective of what will probably become a common view for guys 65 and up: Why purchase an insurance policy that is over-priced for the minuscule amount of benefits paid and that is so packed with exclusions for pre-existing conditions and age related conditions including moratoriums on most pathologies that affect aging people that the policy is essentially useless - especially if you can self-insure. And he has the money to self-insure.
"But, you really, really need insurance because if you get sick you may end up with a 1 or 2 million THB bill." Really? And what good is an insurance policy that doesn't cover that 1 or 2 million THB bill? Seriously!
So my friend said the heck with it (I can't print what he really said) and now splits his time between Cambodia and the US.
I believe that they'll be a downturn in the number of men in the 65 year old and up range coming to Thailand on O-A, which is sort of a harbinger of what's to come if suddenly the Non-O expats find themselves saddled with having to obtain worthless, expensive mandatory insurance for the sole purpose of 'having the privilege' to reside in Thailand.
"Good riddance losers!" Yeah, whatever. Thailand isn't the only game in town and in short order nor will it be the best imho.
@CALSinCM Where in Cambodia is your friend hanging out?
I've heard that the visa situation there is very easy, but that the country can be rough around the edges.
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Just got this from the US Embassy Services regarding the need for Insurance
in Thai Visas, Residency, and Work Permits
Posted
@CALSinCM Where in Cambodia is your friend hanging out?
I've heard that the visa situation there is very easy, but that the country can be rough around the edges.