mgjackson69

Everyone has a different idea of what constitutes 'a comfortable life-style.' For some, they need 250,000 a month. Others, 45,000.

Drink a lot of alcohol, pay a lot of bar fines, party 6 nights a week, eat Western foods for most meals... You'll need a lot of money.

Western foods and a party lifestyle raise the budgetary requirements tremendously.

Live 'Thai style' and you'll spend next to nothing once you've established yourself.

My wife and I prefer to spend our evenings at home. We usually cook dinner ourselves, but eat breakfast and lunches out. We live in a comfortable 5-room apartment in a building with a nice pool, restaurants, good security, close enough to walk into the Old City when we wish to, yet not in such a busy area that we can't be on the road and out of town in less than 10 minutes. We take 4-5 day trips away from Chiang Mai every few months when we feel the urge, and don't seem to feel as if we are denying ourselves anything.

We do this living comfortably on the budget you've mentioned.

There is an important point in the above post..."...once you've established yourself".

I have been involved here long enough that I have a lot of things already established and paid for. House, farmland, rental apartments, truck are all free and clear.

I have one small vehicle payment here (2nd truck for the daughter to "sell something in the market") which will be cleared in a year, one vehicle payment in USA that will be paid off after 2015 Federal taxes are done (February or March), and a mortgage on a rental property in USA that I will be selling to my tenants within the next few years.

When I am done working for a salary and we are living on my retirement funds + US Social Security + the wife's income here from rentals and farms, there will be no payments to be made. Any expenditures in general will be small enough to pay cash.

Being on a pension and making vehicle and/or mortgage payment would strain things greatly.

I'm really talking about American social security checks here. They send a check. It has a number. That seems the correct number to state even if you need to pay tax on it later to state and/or federal. There is also the question of Medicare Part withholding. It's as simple or complicated as it actually is. Just looking for correct answers.

And there is the rub...I am not sure there is a correct answer and regards "gross" or "net".

For a US Social Security check, if you are paying tax on that it is due to other income pushing you over a certain threshold. So the monthly Social Security check would not be an accurate statement of income also.

Here is my rationale for using net, for what it is worth: Using the net amount of my salary, as long as I am being truthful about that amount (in actuality, I am even understating that number a little bit by rounding down), I will never be guilty of overstating my income.

Now then, when I get to the point of collecting Social Security checks, I will likely change up and start using gross. Why? Because that is the amount that will be going into my bank account each month.

For the armchair lawyers, do you truly think that Thai Immigration is interested in gross amounts that someone is earning in another country? They have no way of knowing what that translates to as far as "money in my pocket". Given that the income requirement exists to ensure that a person here on an extension of stay has the means to support themselves (and perhaps a wife depending on the extension type), "money in my pocket" seems to be the figure of interest.

After tax doesn't even seem realistic.

Americans won't know for sure about their exact tax liability until they actually file their tax forms in the YEAR AFTER the current year.

I am not sure why you are making this complicated.

Most people could produce paperwork to support using either gross or net. My (electronic) pay stubs could easily be used to support either figure.

If the net is sufficient to meet the income requirement, then why specify a larger number?

I am not interested in calling attention to myself by having a larger number on that Income Statement than is needed.

I have used both figures in the past; using the gross figure caused a lot more discussion and tapping on the calculator than the net.

Argue it how you want....I will continue to use my net amount.

What is net income? Exactly what is deducted from gross income to get it?

Take the simple case of someone working for a salary.

Gross pay is what your employer pays you each period.

Deduct taxes (federal, state, local whichever are applicable)

Deduct for medical insurance if that is part of your deal.

Deduct for 401k or other self-funded retirement plan.

What is deposited to your bank or given to you in cash or a check is net.

I have noticed here and there along some roads a bunch of the small "spirit houses" that have been tossed on the pile. It seems like one appears then pretty soon there are a bunch of them.

I cannot say for sure, but I am guessing that no monk is coming over to the house when people are removing these.

Perhaps it is different for the figures/figurines.

In the two examples given above, it would seem that Wat #1 is not interested; Wat #2 might need some further negotiation to get the price down to something reasonable.

Regardless of one's position on overstays, I think we can agree that the cartoon is ridiculous and xenophobic.

As long as it is the correct "God"

I guess "respray" means "paint"?

I have never heard that term.

Nope she had to work, but she was nice enough to get all the paperwork together for me. One poor old timers wife left him there no phone, no directions to get back home other than what town they live in and go to the bus station. An Englishman really helped the guy out with everything and got him sorted.

Every time I've been to Savannakhet there has been both elderly and younger people that just need some kind of help to get from the consulate back to Thailand and on to their destination, some are great full for the help but some are just...

One time during the same day service period I a man in his 70's could get back to Thailand, he had spent his money on whiskey and beer while waiting for his visa. I payed for the tuk-tuk to the border and then the bus to cross the border, his wife meet him on the Thai side of the border and was happy to see him but angry as hell as he was drunk and had spent all the money.... she payed me back the 100 Baht I had spent for her husband and they took me to the bus station in Mukdahan.

Last time I went there we got our passports back late so the buses north and northwest had already left Mukdahan when we came to the bus terminal. So I helped 2 men in their 20's on their way to Chang Mai by advising them to take the same bus as me to Kong Kaen as there are many buses leaving from there. The bus from Mukdahan stopped at terminal 1 in Kong Kaen and the taxi wanted 100 Baht to take us the 10km to terminal 3. That's when I decided to ditched my "companions" as they started haggling over the price, I just payed 100 and got a taxi for my self. They arrived 10 minutes after me at terminal 3 and was bragging that they only payed 80 Baht for the two of them, their happiness was short lived as they could not get tickets to Chang Mai that day, sold out... when I got there 10 minutes earlier there was 7 seats left on the bus.

That is always my rule of thumb when traveling....do what it takes to get the next step down the line, in the most expedient manner.

One time I had a cancelled flight out of Atlanta, they put us on the next day's flight and gave us hotel vouchers. As soon as I had my hotel voucher in hand I beat feet to the taxi queue, rather than wait for the free bus/van that would take us to the hotel.

I got to the hotel, put my crap into my room, and was back sitting in the lobby bar having a drink when that whole gaggle from my flight arrived. Those poor souls stood in that line for a long time getting checked in.

One or two people recognized me from the flight and asked how I got checked in so quickly. I am not sure they grasped the concept of why I would pay for a taxi when the bus was free...up to them.

I have always used net income as the figure I put on the Income Statement.

The amount is more than adequate to meet the requirement, and I see no reason for showing the significantly higher gross number.

I just use the gross as that is all that is required and I see no reason to confuse people telling them to use the net. I qualify with room to spare on both. Just prefer to keep it simple.

The easiest way to get the initial retirement is do it where you live. I went into the Thai consulate in Vancouver and had it three days later. All the requirements were easier there because I knew where my doctor was I knew where the police station was. All they checked was the local area. I also knew where to get a notary to notarize a piece of paper saying I was who I said I was. Every thing was in perfectly understandable English.

As I look back on it I had the papers to prove my income but to be honest I am not sure they asked to see them. That is one thing I have contracted since living here senior moments.

Either way works...but how is using gross more simple than using net? Either figure is just a number.

I know how much each paycheck is...I round down to an even number ($nn00) and multiply by 24.

Putting some logic to it, it seems like net might be a more "honest" or "accurate" number, as that would more closely represent what you might have available to use in-country.

“Good guys in, bad guys out”

Catchy slogan.........but sadly not original.

Philippines Bureau of Immigration campaign to dob in illegal immigrants. Circa about 2014.

Thailand....the Hub of Copying

Why would a man chose to do internet business well sitting in a bar or restaurant. To many distractions. I think it would be a lot smarter to do at home where it is private and no one to bother you or distractions.

I think some guys get off on being seen working on their computer in public.Makes them the modern man.I see them more as insecure little men who need recognition,and acceptance as being cool.

Tell your friend to do his business in private and after go to bars and enjoy the bar. Problem solved.

Many plonkers sitting in a bar with a beer and a laptop fancy themselves a "digital nomad".

I have always used net income as the figure I put on the Income Statement.

The amount is more than adequate to meet the requirement, and I see no reason for showing the significantly higher gross number.

I had dengue once while working in Bangkok, about 10 years ago. I was pretty well knocked on my ass for a week or so. I continued work, but certainly was not running at top efficiency.

To the OP's question: Are you worrying too much? If it is impacting travel and family visit plans, I would say "yes".

Use insect repellent (DEET) during the day, sleep with mosquito nets and a fan....and live your life.

Your Your good friend's embassy is not Thai Immigration.

How or why someone is here is not their concern.

The higher the class rating, the faster the data transfer.

Class 10 is the highest.

Some older devices will not recognize the higher-capacity (in storage terms) SD cards.

Really, none of these are unique to Thailand (if you genericize the local references)...they apply to travel to any country, to varying degrees.

Contrary to anecdotal "evidence", all Thai men are not tough guys, and any altercation will not automatically result in someone being "rat-packed".

Airports have *never* been the place for self-styled funny guys to make jokes about bombs, hijacking, etc.

As far back as the early '70s I recall seeing signage in airports stating "it is no joking matter...all such comments are taken seriously".

As far as this example goes... somnaamnaa

Under seat:

registration sticker

Not the first dispute about this.

The registration sticker has to be attached visibly at the outside of the vehicle.

There are different methods (gadgets) to do that waterproof.

Hiding under the seat gives a welcome reason to be stopped at checkpoints.

No, it does not have to be visible, you just have to be able to show it, so under the seat is fine.

Same for your car, by the way.

That may or may not be true, the part about not having to be visible.

However, for the car at least, I have gone through several checkpoints where all they were doing was looking at the sticker on the windshield, and waving those valid ones through.

So if it was not on display then a person gets to pull to the side for further scrutiny.

Who wants that?

cheers guys, really appreciate all the helpful advice. obviously if asked he wont mention about working here illegally, he is a teacher by the way with no work permit so what would you advise he say as to how hes been here for so long on overstay without "work"? His plan is to marry his thai girlfriend on return, will they give him a big red stamp in his passport stating the length of his overstay? he,s worried it might affect his chance of getting a marriage visa in the future

Not obviously...funny how people let that "work" word slip not realizing it is a red flag.

If Immigration gets inquisitive he will need a story. I have heard that some people manage to stay here for many years using money that they had saved up in their home country.

It would be the retirement visa. I believe the US embassy has you swear you can meet the requirement then issues the affidavit. I've read some have been asked to show proof when completing visa or checking in for the 90 day. I want no problems and plan on covering all the bases.

The US embassy does not have you "swear that you can meet the requirement".

You fill out the Income Statement form, which is personal information and an amount of income per month. By signing per the wording on the form you are attesting that the information is correct. The embassy is witnessing your signature.

Thank you all. Love to here more please chime in.

cyberfarang, luckily I'm not on a "just enough money budget" I just want to get by on my monthly retirement check so I don't have to dip into my savings. If social security is still available I'll collect that at 62.

From my research I believe I'll be able to fund a decent studio apartment, eat well, lite travel around Thailand & health insurance and a little extra to boot. All on my retirement check alone 65k baht.

I hope I'm not wrong and can leave my saving alone.

I'm leaning on renting my house out just in case.

If you are referring to USA Social Security, I would advise waiting until full retirement age (67 for those of us born 1960 and later) to start collecting, if that fits your plans.

Starting the benefit at age 62 results in ~ 30% reduction vs collecting at full retirement age.

To nitpick: I think it was a drying line, not a washing line. Hard as hell to wash clothes while up on those lines, barbed or not.

It is called a washing line

You hang your washing on it.

Go nitpick somewhere else [emoji12]

I always heard it called a "clothes line".

Those things we some people used to get caught up in when running through back yards from the police.

Advise "your friend" "your cousin" to not mention the work "work" when speaking with Immigration.

Lime juice and water.

Soap?? Really, that must taste awful, yuk

Why would it taste awful?

Wash with soap and water, rinse with water, no soap is left behind.