New retirement extension rules forces expat, 90, to leave Thailand

[stanleycoin]

1 minute ago, Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere said:

Yup because I bought the Thai Elite Visa and don't have the stress as those who want go the deposit route. I'd rather invest that money than deposit it in an uninsured account. I ve been coming since I was 19 years old. For me it is truly paradise. I didn't come here to start over or get tied down in a marriage. Some people need that I don't. It's simple, for those who have money their life will not be affected. 

Ha Ha, maybe for visa issues. but there are loads more things that 

can spoil your day here, don't matter how smug you are.

[Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere]

Hmmm... Haven't had a bad experience here yet in 20 years except for when they had the coup in 2006. But it just lead me to new experiences in No Man's Land that I wouldn't trade for all the Bitcoins in the world. For me I go with the flow and find opportunities in negative situations. 

Edited February 7, 2019 by Whyamiandwhatamidoinghere

[marcusarelus]

36 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

True. But it was assumed there might also be a change to the deposit requirements, as are being discussed with regard to the retirement visa. Such as having to leave a sum in for months after the visa is issued. Fortunately, not the case here. 

So, you are not really upset by changes but by the fear there might be changes?

[CMNightRider]

6 hours ago, Rugon said:

Retiring here is not spending a lifetime here, more like 1/10 of a lifetime, as these days most people can't get a pension until 65-70 and live an average of a couple or 5 years after that.

 

I can get permanent residency here and citizenship, not exactly hard to do.

Lol, being able to read, write, and speak Thai fluently, along with being able to sing is not what I would call easy.  

[3 minus 2]

On 2/6/2019 at 1:56 AM, trainman34014 said:

Too late the Hangman cried....they are already the Laughing Stock of The World !

B4 .. maybe .. now with brexit the uk takes that one .

[totally thaied up]

6 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

So, you are not really upset by changes but by the fear there might be changes?

I think we all are under some fear for Marriage Extension changes. Most of us have not got a large amount of coin to throw around (well, in my circle of friends) and any change can affect family issues. Add to this, my wife worries as well about it all. She does not want to move or she does not want me moving out because of all the recent Visa fuss the Government has bought in as change.

[DrTuner]

2 minutes ago, CMNightRider said:

Lol, being able to read, write, and speak Thai fluently, along with being able to sing is not what I would call easy.  

I understand that requirement (except for the karaoke jingle session) for citizenship, but for a PR it's a bit steep. From reading posts from oldtimers here I've understood the PR requirements were far easier three decades or so ago.

[CMNightRider]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Just returned from immigration recently, after renewing my marriage visa. The upside to this visa, is that only 400,000 is needed as a deposit, and it does not have to stay in the bank, once your visa is granted. The downsides are:

 

The hurdles you need to jump over, in order to get a marriage visa are stupid, ridiculous, unnecessary, draconian, wasteful, and silly. I understand the need for them to verify that you are a legitimate couple. Upon the first application. But, the dumb requirements should not relate to renewals. You should not be required to show fresh images of the house each time, copies of the marriage papers, the house documents, either come with a local Thai witness, or bring a signed affidavit from a local Thai each time, provide new maps to the house, and dozens of other requirements.

 

I just do not even know what to say about the process. I felt like a street dog by the time I left. After hours of paperwork, copy after copy after copy, each page having to be signed, and then being grilling by the surly officer, I literally felt like a street dog. The level of disrespect that immigration shows married couples here, and foreigners in general, is totally uncalled for, beyond the pale, and inane. The copy woman, the guy sorting our papers, they were all nice. But, the officers? Such sourpusses. The woman who was helping us was so difficult to work with, when she finally rejected us over the tiniest thing she did not like, after nearly an hour of reviewing every document with a microscope, so to speak, and said no, I responded by saying yes. YES, you are going to do this. Yes, you are going to do this right now. YES, you are going to stop saying NO to me right now. This ends now. She looked at me and did not know what to say. I asked for the manager. The top brass came over, and we had it sorted in 30 minutes. Took nearly 3 hours. And as usual, it will be a month, until I have final approval. Is it worth it? NO. It is my last marriage visa. I will go back to a retirement visa next year, or leave the country, before I subject myself to that abuse one more time.

 

I totally blame Prayuth, and the biggest joke. Immigration has gotten worse under their tutelage and their arrogance, and their insufferable xenophobia knows no bounds. This whole thing leaves a bitter, sour, nasty, foul taste in one's mouth, and the stench can be smelled for kilometers. Thailand is moving backwards on so many levels, I do not even know where to begin. 

This is the reason I started using a visa agent.  They know all the required documents and they are the ones to sort it out with immigration.  The agent even drives me to immigration when it is my appointment time.  I don't even have to speak to anyone in immigration.  Immigration has me sign a couple of documents and take my photo. ????

[DrTuner]

1 minute ago, totally thaied up said:

I think we all are under some fear for Marriage Extension changes. Most of us have not got a large amount of coin to throw around (well, in my circle of friends) and any change can affect family issues. Add to this, my wife worries as well about it all. She does not want to move or she does not want me moving out because of all the recent Visa fuss the Government has bought in as change.

It's a constant dark cloud over your head, any second some police order could be issued that will kick you out of the country and force you to leave whatever you invested and possibly your family behind. 

 

As I've said before, the remedy is to be proactive and keep one leg out the door at all times, have an exit plan for the entire family and not invest more than you're willing to loose. If that isn't palatable, don't come to Thailand at all, if you're fully invested and can't move, that truly sucks.

 

TVF has been warning about money #1, invest only what you are willing to loose, etc for decades. We were all warned, so it is also our personal responsibility to act accordingly and face the consequences of our decisions. Remember you're dealing with a country that can flip 180 degrees in a day.

[DrTuner]

3 minutes ago, CMNightRider said:

This is the reason I started using a visa agent.  They know all the required documents and they are the ones to sort it out with immigration.  The agent even drives me to immigration when it is my appointment time.  I don't even have to speak to anyone in immigration.  Immigration has me sign a couple of documents and take my photo. ????

You forgot the agent cuts a slice to the IO which makes it all so smooth...corruption has it's benefits.

[totally thaied up]

2 minutes ago, DrTuner said:

As I've said before, the remedy is to be proactive and keep one leg out the door at all times, have an exit plan for the entire family and not invest more than you're willing to loose. If that isn't palatable, don't come to Thailand at all, if you're fully invested and can't move, that truly sucks.

I can go back to my home country easily but my wife does not want to leave until her parents are dead. That leaves me with another 10 years in Thailand and then I would have to also redesign my life and disentangle myself from here. I like living here and my wife is happy but we both understand this is most likely not going to go away. In November this year, I can apply for PR for my wife in my Home Country and that is what I am going to do just to be able to leave a back door open to a future. 

 

That's all I can do. I am just starting to get old now and I do not want to have my future <deleted> ed up for no good reason. I want to be able to retire without thinking what the hell are they going to do next and I am hoping we may see some clarity in the future. Those are my hopes.

[stanleycoin]

9 minutes ago, DrTuner said:

You forgot the agent cuts a slice to the IO which makes it all so smooth...corruption has it's benefits.

yes.

They get 1,900 baht off me.

and if they want more, they can lick my bronze eye.  

[Russell17au]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

You are a very lucky man. May we inquire as to which office it was? Sounds utterly delightful compared to  what alot of us are being subjected to. We probably submitted 50-60 pages of documents. It seems somewhat arbitrary. And I suspect what you experienced, is as good as it gets. This will be my last marriage visa. It was a stupid experience. Don't need it. Don't want it. Don't have time for such nonsense. I truly despise immigration here. However, we were utterly polite up until the time the woman said NO. Then I demanded the participation of the top dog, and she resolved it. But, it was not a pleasant experience. 

Over the  years I have used both the Udon Thani and the Khon Kaen offices and I have always had a pleasant deal with both offices. My last extension was at Khon Kaen and I only submitted about 10 - 12 pages and that included the photos.

[euca]

On 2/6/2019 at 1:30 PM, Father Fintan Stack said:

That was always the case and always will be the case as demand increases. 

 

Something terrible would have to happen to ensure Thailand becomes an undesirable destination (and that applies to tourism and any other reason for being here). 

 

At the moment the hoops that retirees, business owners, employers etc. have to jump through are still not discouraging enough.

 

It's still a very desirable place to come, visit, work, live and retire. 

 

Thus expect it to get increasingly difficult further down the line and plan accordingly.

 

Current nationalist sentiment the World over will not help unfortunately.

Cruel, but logic.  Govt, the world over, does cruel but little logic.  My guess is incompetence posing as decisive management.

 

[sambum]

On 2/6/2019 at 4:48 PM, shy coconut said:

I take it the world you refer to is the tiny bubble you inhabit.

Hardly anyone outside of this forum gives a fig about Thailand's immigration policy.

Wrong! I know quite a few people who do not read or contribute to this forum who are more than a trifle concerned about the changes we are seeing in the Immigration Rules and Regs.

[euca]

On 2/6/2019 at 3:53 PM, marcusarelus said:

I think it was the Brits because they were the first ones to pull the plug. 

Yes, it was our lot & they were glad of the excuse. 

[SheungWan]

7 hours ago, Spidey said:

We know that he made a statutory declaration to the US Embassy every year saying that he had an income of 65k baht. Now that the stat. dec. is no longer available, he's being forced to leave. If he had had a monthly income exceeding 65k baht he would have been able to transfer it to Thailand every month. As he's unable to do that we can only assume that he hasn't got an income exceeding 65k baht. Ergo. He's lying through his false teeth.

 

6 hours ago, Russell17au said:

There is no need to attack people and call them liars unless you can prove that what you are claiming is true. You do not know the man and you do not know his circumstances. You make many claims on here about how great you are but you could also be called a liar because you have not produced any proof of what you say. Like I said earlier there are many expats that have made the choice not to transfer their money into a Thai bank account but prefer to whinge and complain and then leave Thailand, it does not make all of them liars either.

Its either one or the other. Either he was (A) lying that he had an income >65k OR (B) he was telling the truth that he had an income >65k. If (B), then there is no problem re leaving. Its A or B. If its B, then there is no more "being forced to leave". Its some other "I don't want to" nonsense. Go for it.

[SheungWan]

1 hour ago, DrTuner said:

It's a constant dark cloud over your head, any second some police order could be issued that will kick you out of the country and force you to leave whatever you invested and possibly your family behind. 

 

As I've said before, the remedy is to be proactive and keep one leg out the door at all times, have an exit plan for the entire family and not invest more than you're willing to loose. If that isn't palatable, don't come to Thailand at all, if you're fully invested and can't move, that truly sucks.

 

TVF has been warning about money #1, invest only what you are willing to loose, etc for decades. We were all warned, so it is also our personal responsibility to act accordingly and face the consequences of our decisions. Remember you're dealing with a country that can flip 180 degrees in a day.

One leg in, one leg out and one leg over.

[wgdanson]

On 2/6/2019 at 10:21 AM, Thaiwrath said:

I am single, non smoker, and drink maybe only once a week (doctor's recommendation, due to neuropathy), to meet up with expat friends that I have known for nearly 15 years. My visa is 100% legal, as I have the funds in my bank account to get a yearly extension, however, as I am not quite yet 60, my income is less than 65K a month. As all my monthly expenses add up to less than 10k (condo rent/utilities/private internet connection/phone) per month, could you please explain why I shouldn't be living here ? 

Health insurance? 10k a month is NOT LIVING it is surviving.

[ginjag]

1 minute ago, wgdanson said:

Health insurance? 10k a month is NOT LIVING it is surviving.

Some wealthy that are LIVING are unhappy,  some surviving are more than happy.    

[Thaiwrath]

9 minutes ago, wgdanson said:

Health insurance? 10k a month is NOT LIVING it is surviving.

I self insure, as I cannot get insurance (explained previously)

Rent (walking distance to town) 6,500 baht

Water                                        50

Electricity                                 500 approx

Internet (condo)                         725

Internet (phone)                         300

Songteaws                                 500

Physiotherapy (4 sessions)           720

 

I am left with a good amount for everything else (socialising/eating/trips around Thailand), but, as explained previously, I have had to curtail my alcohol intake due to neuropathy, and don't smoke anymore.

So, could I pick your brains, and ask how I can increase my monthly living costs to meet the LIVING level ?

Maybe I should buy a car (don't need one) or rent a 4 bedroomed house for myself, and I live in a good sized, air conditioned condo, with excellent insulation, making it cool all year round, hence the low aircon bill, not a shoebox before you make that assumption.

[euca]

8 hours ago, Spidey said:

We know that he made a statutory declaration to the US Embassy every year saying that he had an income of 65k baht. Now that the stat. dec. is no longer available, he's being forced to leave. If he had had a monthly income exceeding 65k baht he would have been able to transfer it to Thailand every month. As he's unable to do that we can only assume that he hasn't got an income exceeding 65k baht. Ergo. He's lying through his false teeth.

He is not necessarily lying through his false teeth but you are definitely typing tripe, perhaps with your false teeth.  There is not only the sequestered Bt800,000 problem, there is also that of the newly required Bt65,000 to be transferred  e v e r y  month & the heavy associated fees gouged by the banks for this - at both ends.  'Don' may have been angered enough by those fees.  You have no evidence to call him a liar, none.  You sound like a young man to me; brash, wanting to seem tough & canny with your: "...we can only assume...".  When you get old you won't have the energy to hack it.  I guess 'Don' had just had enough.

[Mister Fixit]

51 minutes ago, wgdanson said:

Health insurance? 10k a month is NOT LIVING it is surviving.

He said it was his EXPENSES that were 10k a month, not his INCOME.

 

Try reading before posting - you'll find it stops making you look ridiculous.  

[Spidey]

2 minutes ago, euca said:

there is also that of the newly required Bt65,000 to be transferred  e v e r y  month & the heavy associated fees gouged by the banks for this - at both ends.  'Don' may have been angered enough by those fees.  You have no evidence to call him a liar, none.  You sound like a young man to me; brash, wanting to seem tough & canny with your: "...we can only assume...".  When you get old you won't have the energy to hack it.  I guess 'Don' had just had enough.

With TransferWise the fees are minimal. I use a SWIFT transfer and pay 500 baht to my UK bank and 200 baht to my Thai bank. Hardly heavy fees. The guy had to bring his money into Thailand somehow anyway and payed fees. What did he live on, fresh air? I have quoted the evidence to call him a liar.

 

"You sound like a young man to me; brash, wanting to seem tough & canny with your: "...we can only assume...".  When you get old you won't have the energy to hack it." 65 young? If you say so. Thanks for the compliment.

 

You sound like a fellow American who has also been lying through his false teeth for years and now is in deep doggy doo. It's trhanks to people like you that we are in the mire that we're in now.

[InsertNameHere]

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

"But, the dumb requirements should not relate to renewals. You should not be required to show fresh images of the house each time, copies of the marriage papers, the house documents, either come with a local Thai witness, or bring a signed affidavit from a local Thai each time, provide new maps to the house, and dozens of other requirements." 

I know that is the dumbest nonsense I have ever had to do. In Samut Sakhon I was told even with all those documents and a fellow thai service man. That she did not believe the marriage was real lol. She sent Immigration to the house to investigate. 3 officers knocked at my door in their black attire like I had done something wrong lol

[jmd8800]

53 minutes ago, Thaiwrath said:

I self insure, as I cannot get insurance (explained previously)

Rent (walking distance to town) 6,500 baht

Water                                        50

Electricity                                 500 approx

Internet (condo)                         725

Internet (phone)                         300

Songteaws                                 500

Physiotherapy (4 sessions)           720

 

I am left with a good amount for everything else (socialising/eating/trips around Thailand), but, as explained previously, I have had to curtail my alcohol intake due to neuropathy, and don't smoke anymore.

So, could I pick your brains, and ask how I can increase my monthly living costs to meet the LIVING level ?

Maybe I should buy a car (don't need one) or rent a 4 bedroomed house for myself, and I live in a good sized, air conditioned condo, with excellent insulation, making it cool all year round, hence the low aircon bill, not a shoebox before you make that assumption.

If you want to increase your cost of living try eating! Just kidding. You food expenses are not listed.

[jmd8800]

21 minutes ago, InsertNameHere said:

I know that is the dumbest nonsense I have ever had to do. In Samut Sakhon I was told even with all those documents and a fellow thai service man. That she did not believe the marriage was real lol. She sent Immigration to the house to investigate. 3 officers knocked at my door in their black attire like I had done something wrong lol

You might find this surprising, but my country the USA, does exactly the same thing. Maybe not yearly. There are plenty of fake marriages in the USA and they do their best to uncover them. In LA people pay upwards of $20,000US for a marriage resulting in a green card.

[DrTuner]

53 minutes ago, InsertNameHere said:

I know that is the dumbest nonsense I have ever had to do. In Samut Sakhon I was told even with all those documents and a fellow thai service man. That she did not believe the marriage was real lol. She sent Immigration to the house to investigate. 3 officers knocked at my door in their black attire like I had done something wrong lol

I've had one of those visits too, surprised they didn't bring the immigration monkey house wagon with them to make it look more mafia like. And this was after 10 years of marriage and having three Thai kids, being in a yellow thabian baan and having a pink Thai ID card. Reeeeaaaaaally makes you feel welcome in here.

Edited February 7, 2019 by DrTuner

[dcnx]

1 hour ago, Thaiwrath said:

I self insure, as I cannot get insurance (explained previously)

Rent (walking distance to town) 6,500 baht

Water                                        50

Electricity                                 500 approx

Internet (condo)                         725

Internet (phone)                         300

Songteaws                                 500

Physiotherapy (4 sessions)           720

 

I am left with a good amount for everything else (socialising/eating/trips around Thailand), but, as explained previously, I have had to curtail my alcohol intake due to neuropathy, and don't smoke anymore.

So, could I pick your brains, and ask how I can increase my monthly living costs to meet the LIVING level ?

Maybe I should buy a car (don't need one) or rent a 4 bedroomed house for myself, and I live in a good sized, air conditioned condo, with excellent insulation, making it cool all year round, hence the low aircon bill, not a shoebox before you make that assumption.

You will have to get insurance in the not to distant future. I’d start planning for that now if you want to stay, whatever you have to do to make it happen. Or start looking for another place to call home.

 

The biggest reason you shouldn’t be living here, you won’t be able to afford additional sudden changes in requirements, and you say yourself you can’t get insurance. In other words, you’re here on borrowed time.

[annabel]

On 2/6/2019 at 11:13 AM, Just1Voice said:

I simply don't understand what the problem seems to be.
a)  Show an income of 65k a month;

or

b) 800k in the bank.

 

Two options.  Both simple.  If you can't meet one or the other, then you shouldn't be here in the first place. 

 

Keep in mind, it's THEIR country.  THEY make the rules.  We either live by them, or we don't live here.  

How do you maintain a mandatory 800,000 Baht in your account ....? Sorry, but I am a bit confused here.... if you receive 65,000 Baht / month, but they want you to have more or less what I would call a fixed deposit of 800,000 for 5 months and then maintain a balance of 400,000 for the rest of the year being 7 months how does the 65,00 Baht/ month fit in here ...?? Or is that 65,000 / month on top of the above requirements ?? It's really all so confusing and non sensical

Edited February 7, 2019 by annabel