What we all know

[tgeezer]

It is possible to live happily in Thailand spending less than the sums required by Immigration.

The conclusion that we may draw from this is that, if the sums are set in order to ensure that we don't starve then, thank you Thailand.

 

 

Is a wife going to be forced to manage on her own simply because the husband's income doesn't meet the conditions set out to implement the Immigration act?

 

I sympatise with those who have been 'working the system' for years and having reached the safe haven of fifty years of age discovered that not much has changed but in genuine cases, there is an appeals procedure which I imagine has succeeded in many instances.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[HappyAndRich]

27 minutes ago, tgeezer said:

It is possible to live happily in Thailand spending less than the sums required by Immigration.

No, it´s not possible for everyone that wants to live a decent life that can be expected of somebody retiring in a foreign country.

 

27 minutes ago, tgeezer said:

The conclusion that we may draw from this is that, if the sums are set in order to ensure that we don't starve then, thank you Thailand.

You do not only need money for nutrition.

 

27 minutes ago, tgeezer said:

 

 

Is a wife going to be forced to manage on her own simply because the husband's income doesn't meet the conditions set out to implement the Immigration act?

Nothing is sure about that yet. We have to wait and see what the final decision from Immigration is going to be. If like many posters here believe right now. Then the scenario of the case is going to be like you present it. On the other hand. Wife and child, house and maybe a car on only 40K baht a month is not much of a life to live in my personal opinion.

 

27 minutes ago, tgeezer said:

 

I sympatise with those who have been 'working the system' for years and having reached the safe haven of fifty years of age discovered that not much has changed but in genuine cases, there is an appeals procedure which I imagine has succeeded in many instances.

No sympathy!

[Lungstib]

20 minutes ago, HappyAndRich said:

Wife and child, house and maybe a car on only 40K baht a month is not much of a life to live in my personal opinion.

Which, thankfully is just your personal opinion. Most of the Thais in my village are not only surviving but feeling just fine on something around 10,000b a month. We run 2 m'bikes an old car, 2 houses and 4 people on 20,000b a month, have healthy and complete lives, work hard at growing some of our own fruit and veg and are the envy of many around us. I was always quite happy to come here and live the same way as the people around me, otherwise I would have stayed at 'home' in Britain. If foreigners getting into western countries had to show they earned 4 times as much as the locals that would be the end of all immigration. My wife, her family have all benefited from the involvement of a this farang in their lives and the Thai govt should at least realise that fact.

[HappyAndRich]

14 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

Which, thankfully is just your personal opinion. Most of the Thais in my village are not only surviving but feeling just fine on something around 10,000b a month. We run 2 m'bikes an old car, 2 houses and 4 people on 20,000b a month, have healthy and complete lives, work hard at growing some of our own fruit and veg and are the envy of many around us. I was always quite happy to come here and live the same way as the people around me, otherwise I would have stayed at 'home' in Britain. If foreigners getting into western countries had to show they earned 4 times as much as the locals that would be the end of all immigration. My wife, her family have all benefited from the involvement of a this farang in their lives and the Thai govt should at least realise that fact.

Yep, that´s right. The thai government should be happy that you made the choice to settle, get married and make children in this country and contribute with so much.

 

You have earned the right to be recognized.

[GeorgeCross]

life's a lot cheaper for us as we own a house (no rent), have a car and motorbike (no transport expenses), drink moderately and exercise regularly (minimal healthcare). plus my wife contributes to the household income wise as do we both (this is 2018 after all!)

 

living below immigrations 40K per month contribution from me?

 

happily and healthily.

 

 

 

[HappyAndRich]

34 minutes ago, GeorgeCross said:

life's a lot cheaper for us as we own a house (no rent), have a car and motorbike (no transport expenses), drink moderately and exercise regularly (minimal healthcare). plus my wife contributes to the household income wise as do we both (this is 2018 after all!)

 

living below immigrations 40K per month contribution from me?

 

happily and healthily.

 

 

 

As I already stated living below 40K baht per month is, to me, not a descent life. However, there is never anybody, not even Immigration, that says you have to use 40K or more per month. They just want to be sure that the minimum requirement is there to protect expats from not be capable to take care of their life and livelihood while residing in Thailand.

That is a good safety net both for the country and for all expats. Something that we should be happy about exists, which also prove they are concerned about our wellbeing. 

[Moonlover]

4 hours ago, tgeezer said:

Is a wife going to be forced to manage on her own simply because the husband's income doesn't meet the conditions set out to implement the Immigration act?

No she isn't, because her husband does have the option of going to Savannakhet and getting a multi entry non imm O visa. Over there, There is no requirement to prove income.

 

I'm sure there are already a number who fall into this category and there may be a few more following the demise of embassy income letters and stat decs.

[JaiLai]

No she isn't, because her husband does have the option of going to Savannakhet and getting a multi entry non imm O visa. Over there, There is no requirement to prove income.
 
I'm sure there are already a number who fall into this category and there may be a few more following the demise of embassy income letters and stat decs.

This situation could potentially make the consulate in Savanaket start asking for financial proof for non O’s based on marriage??

400/800k - then what for the people who cannot meet the requirements.....


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Lungstib]

1 hour ago, HappyAndRich said:

They just want to be sure that the minimum requirement is there to protect expats from not be capable to take care of their life and livelihood while residing in Thailand.

Considering the same Thai government doesn't care a damn for most of its citizens out in the country on 10,000b a month why should they care about farangs who provide twice as much? They give us nothing, there is nothing we can take from them we cant own a business and most stringent of all they deny us jobs and then complain we have too little money. Basically they are suggesting they only want over 66 y.o.'s, people with huge pensions and with private health insurance who are stupid enough to spend 60,000b a year and then die quietly.   

[grego49]

I have always wondered why a single person needs 800,000 to look after himself and a married person with a wife and possibley a couple of kids to look after only needs 400,000 ??

[Olmate]

5 hours ago, HappyAndRich said:

No, it´s not possible for everyone that wants to live a decent life that can be expected of somebody retiring in a foreign country.

 

You do not only need money for nutrition.

 

Nothing is sure about that yet. We have to wait and see what the final decision from Immigration is going to be. If like many posters here believe right now. Then the scenario of the case is going to be like you present it. On the other hand. Wife and child, house and maybe a car on only 40K baht a month is not much of a life to live in my personal opinion.

 

No sympathy!

That’s to be expected from you!

[HappyAndRich]

1 hour ago, Lungstib said:

Considering the same Thai government doesn't care a damn for most of its citizens out in the country on 10,000b a month why should they care about farangs who provide twice as much? They give us nothing, there is nothing we can take from them we cant own a business and most stringent of all they deny us jobs and then complain we have too little money. Basically they are suggesting they only want over 66 y.o.'s, people with huge pensions and with private health insurance who are stupid enough to spend 60,000b a year and then die quietly.   

There are many countries in the world, where tourists are questioned to have more money then the citizens of the country. Nothing wrong with that. Also it´s different departments, and the general expat do not fancy or want to stay like thai people with 3-6 people in a single room with a fan for 2000 baht per month.

It´s up to the country to set the rules, and that is nothing that you can change or must feel the need to complain about. Different countries have different rules. The best advise there is, is to find a country that suits you.

They never suggested they only want 66 year old people with a huge pension. They only want to see a measly amount of 400K or 800K in a Thai bank account. Should not be hard at all for a person that want to retire and settle down in a new foreign country. There are many options. You have visa based on marriage, child or retirement from the age of 50. More you have the choice of investment visa or elite visa. Simple, isn´t it?

[Lungstib]

16 minutes ago, HappyAndRich said:

Should not be hard at all for a person that want to retire

Who said we are all here to retire. I came age 36 with a tour job that started in Thailand and finished in Bangkok. But when the Thais stopped foreigners from active work on tours the job ended, but by then I had married and built a house. A govt that said I couldn't work when I had a wife and 2 kids to look after is not likely to get my support is it? 

 

19 minutes ago, HappyAndRich said:

It´s up to the country to set the rules,

But they changed the rules, causing severe hardships.

 

20 minutes ago, HappyAndRich said:

They never suggested they only want 66 year old people with a huge pension.

But retirees with a big pension are the only ones that fit their requirements, they didn't need to say the words, its in the new rules.

[HappyAndRich]

22 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

Who said we are all here to retire. I came age 36 with a tour job that started in Thailand and finished in Bangkok. But when the Thais stopped foreigners from active work on tours the job ended, but by then I had married and built a house. A govt that said I couldn't work when I had a wife and 2 kids to look after is not likely to get my support is it?

Guess you didn´t think of a back up plan. That´s something you always need to protect your life, livelihood, economy and family with.

 

22 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

 

But they changed the rules, causing severe hardships.

Only for the unprepared, that has not planned there life and steps carefully. Regarding the new problem with income letters, nothing has been stated definitely. Here we are all guessing what is going to happen. Like you can´t sell off everything you have in your home country, and take a wild chance that resettlement in a new country will work perfect and be flawless.

 

22 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

 

But retirees with a big pension are the only ones that fit their requirements, they didn't need to say the words, its in the new rules.

There are still much more people that fit there requirements. On the other side, there is no Immigration policy in any country that fits everybody.

[AGareth2]

57 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

Who said we are all here to retire. I came age 36 with a tour job that started in Thailand and finished in Bangkok

am confused

I thought BKK was in Thailand

[JaiLai]

29 minutes ago, HappyAndRich said:

Guess you didn´t think of a back up plan. That´s something you always need to protect your life, livelihood, economy and family with.

 

Only for the unprepared, that has not planned there life and steps carefully. Regarding the new problem with income letters, nothing has been stated definitely. Here we are all guessing what is going to happen. Like you can´t sell off everything you have in your home country, and take a wild chance that resettlement in a new country will work perfect and be flawless.

 

There are still much more people that fit there requirements. On the other side, there is no Immigration policy in any country that fits everybody.

Life is full of unpredicted events, you need to play the hand your dealt, not always possible to plan meticulously as you suggest.

[HappyAndRich]

3 minutes ago, JaiLai said:

Life is full of unpredicted events, you need to play the hand your dealt, not always possible to plan meticulously as you suggest.

So, what you are saying is that it´s not possible for people that want to resettle in a foreign country to plan for saving they not touch, that will help them to cement that goal?

For christ´s sake! How much is 800K in the western world today? This is starting to be ridiculous!

That is not what you can call planning meticulously! It´s frickin´human survival instinct!

[JaiLai]

2 minutes ago, HappyAndRich said:

So, what you are saying is that it´s not possible for people that want to resettle in a foreign country to plan for saving they not touch, that will help them to cement that goal?

For christ´s sake! How much is 800K in the western world today? This is starting to be ridiculous!

That is not what you can call planning meticulously! It´s frickin´human survival instinct!

don't get your knickers in a twist treacle - lol

 

I agree totally, by the time you're in retirement the numbers mentioned above should be chump change, not disputing the amount is a lot.

 

But think when a lot of people had the best laid plans then 2008 happened or similiar events and everything went tits up, how'd you plan for that?

 

'frickin human survival instinct' is more like hunting and gathering is it not?

 

Anyway you're obviously another genius that knows everything so i will not engage with you any longer.

 

Bi Bi

[tgeezer]

No she isn't, because her husband does have the option of going to Savannakhet and getting a multi entry non imm O visa. Over there, There is no requirement to prove income.
 
I'm sure there are already a number who fall into this category and there may be a few more following the demise of embassy income letters and stat decs.

Visa runs are for those for whom no provision has been made in the Immigration Act to remain in Thailand, far better to appeal officially in the case of a married man.


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[jackdd]

6 hours ago, Lungstib said:

If foreigners getting into western countries had to show they earned 4 times as much as the locals that would be the end of all immigration.

Foreigners from non-EU countries who want to work in the European Union also need a minimum salary which is higher than the average salary in the respective destination country

For example average salary in Germany 34k Euro, minimum salary for a "blue card" to work in Germany 52k Euro, not four times as much, but still 50% more.

[FritsSikkink]

3 hours ago, Lungstib said:

Considering the same Thai government doesn't care a damn for most of its citizens out in the country on 10,000b a month why should they care about farangs who provide twice as much? They give us nothing, there is nothing we can take from them we cant own a business and most stringent of all they deny us jobs and then complain we have too little money. Basically they are suggesting they only want over 66 y.o.'s, people with huge pensions and with private health insurance who are stupid enough to spend 60,000b a year and then die quietly.   

"we cant own a business"

BS, many have one

"they deny us jobs"

BS, many have one

Rightfully so they want somebody to have health insurance, why should others help you with GOFUNDME if you have a serious problem.

[melvinmelvin]

back to OP

 

living on less than immigration sums, less than 65k that is for me (where does the 40k come from?)

 

if you live up Isaan way in a pleasant backwater place I think you could live comfortably on less than 65k/month

(provided no excessive expenses on health issues)

you could afford house, car/bike, healthy eating - some hobbies - schooling 'coupla kids, not Eton but ok

 

 

[Svadhistana]

It is possible to live happily in Thailand spending less than the sums required by Immigration.

 

YES BECAUSE HAPPINESS IS A STATE OF MIND NOT A STATE OF WALLET.

[BoganInParasite]

Thai wife and I living quite nicely on around 32,000 baht a month here in northern Thailand. Expect that to drop to under 29,000 when we move into the house we are building.

[KhunFred]

5 hours ago, grego49 said:

I have always wondered why a single person needs 800,000 to look after himself and a married person with a wife and possibley a couple of kids to look after only needs 400,000 ??

A Thai wife can be a good influence on spending. My fiancee has an amazing knack for stretching a baht. Just name the item or service and she can find it for a better price.

[johng]

11 minutes ago, KhunFred said:

Just name the item or service and she can find it for a better price.

Maybe because she gets the Thai (proper)  price and you get quoted the Farang (inflated) price ?

[natway09]

Before I could answer with any accuracy would need more info.

Living where, ? own your own accommodation, lifestyle, need to travel home every year, children to support, schooling, uni blah blah !

[natway09]

Any over 50 should factor in about 2,400 Bht a week for health issues that sooner or later will catch up with you.

It is not good enough to say "I will go home if anything serious happens".

I have seen time & time again where the sudden illness or accident precludes for 6 weeks going anywhere except a hospital bed here & why should Thailand's overworked care system be further stretched 

by a non tax paying Farang resident

[joecoolfrog]

1 hour ago, jackdd said:

Foreigners from non-EU countries who want to work in the European Union also need a minimum salary which is higher than the average salary in the respective destination country

For example average salary in Germany 34k Euro, minimum salary for a "blue card" to work in Germany 52k Euro, not four times as much, but still 50% more.

In countries that provide a generous benefit safety net , free or subsidised healthcare etc , it makes economic sense to have an income threshold. By contrast Thailand offers immigrants little or nothing in this respect so comparisons are moot.

In actual fact somebody earning say 30k baht a month is costing Thailand nothing yet contributing more to the economy than the average Thai citizen.

Where is the problem ?

[soalbundy]

Not if you have school age kids and insure them and yourself, then you need more