Why, after 9 months, Retired in Thailand, I left and am back in the USA?

[CaptainJack]

2 minutes ago, yobosayo said:

Hi Cpt. Jack. greetings from a  crew member 12th Group 11th Bn. Vultures 162nd Assault Helicopter Co.  Phouc Vien. do your home work for the places you want to go. yes maybe try for a few months. Have a Texas Day from San Antonio.

If for no other reason  I'm really glad I made this post to hear from you.  I was at the 50th anniversary of the 1st Aviation Brigade at Ft. Rucker, which was also the 45th anniversary of the 45h anniversary of the 16th Aviation Battalion.   We were the Vulture Unit at Can Tho.  Were you at the anniversary?  If so, we met. Great to connect. 

[ozmeldo]

Thanks for the post. I wish you luck.

 

I'm once again reconsidering staying on past 62 (65). Ridiculously priced insurance, pre existing conditions (blood pressure me, wife cholesterol).

 

Medicare despite it's issues.

Wife is young enough to work.

 

Horrible value for some crap box where? Chaing Mai? Phuket? Bangkok? 5 million baht steps to ocean in Florida and half dozen other states.

 

31.2 to USD. As long as Thailand has unstable military govt, they will keep the thb strong.

 

Military government forever.

 

No PR, no citizenship despite being married ten years.

 

Pollution in BKK, CM. Will never change, only worsen.

 

Yeah, I'm back on Zillow again.

 

Good luck there buddy.

 

[abrahamzvi]

7 hours ago, CaptainJack said:

Sorry.  I have read  lot about the problems in the UK. I'm afraid my home country may be soon to follow.  Yes, research alternatives.  Good luck!

With President Trump and associates, you are right. Your country, the US, may follow suit. No wonder President Trump encourages no deal Brexit, he wants to be in "good" company.......

[marcusarelus]

8 minutes ago, abrahamzvi said:

NEVER burn your bridges to home applies always and any where. Admittedly, here in Thailand immigration hustle makes life difficult for some, to most expatriates. The strong Baht makes life even more difficult for some, but all this may occur wherever you go. Today Malaysia and Vietnam seem to some pleasant countries to retire to, but tomorrow things may change there. That's life. It's different if one actually immigrates to a typical immigration country (like Canada, Australia, NZ and the USA-before or after Trump) at a young age and really makes home there. Otherwise never burn your bridges, you may very well need to use them.....

 

at a young age

Don't know about you but 3 ex wives and the anti male courts burned my bridges.  I would not have given three houses to women I didn't like on my own!  Not burning your bridges is a nice common sense sentiment that not all of us have a choice about. 

Edited February 17, 2019 by marcusarelus

[natway09]

Interesting post. You can be very alone here in Thailand without the right friends, not just the

gold diggers.

I am too old now to make the change but if I am frugal we should be OK.

Some of your topics are valid but I sense an underlying bit of Thai resentment between the lines.

The money required for an extension of stay is to me acceptable. (Have a look at immigration requirements in your country or Oz, NZ or the UK) & 70% of expats here would not even be able to consider. 

Best of luck,,,, enjoy

[kokopelli]

Good post Captain Jack!  I have been coming to Thailand for 19 years, first for short stays and now an expat at 79 yo.  Lucky to have insurance from my previous employer otherwise would be taking a risk.  Good luck to you.

[abrahamzvi]

5 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I'm expecting to die before 75, all the guys I know in Thailand died before 70.

Utter nonsense! I know quite a few expats who are older than 75 and have been living here for many years.

[FritsSikkink]

7 hours ago, CaptainJack said:

I understand.  Sorry.

But before you leave, check these, you might be OK:

 

https://longstay.tgia.org/

[CaptainJack]

17 minutes ago, natway09 said:

Interesting post. You can be very alone here in Thailand without the right friends, not just the

gold diggers.

I am too old now to make the change but if I am frugal we should be OK.

Some of your topics are valid but I sense an underlying bit of Thai resentment between the lines.

The money required for an extension of stay is to me acceptable. (Have a look at immigration requirements in your country or Oz, NZ or the UK) & 70% of expats here would not even be able to consider. 

Best of luck,,,, enjoy

Thanks.  No Thai resentment.   I am frustrated with the Thai government and immigration issues.   Another commenter posted I showed up at exactly the wrong time.  Maybe.  I'm not sure of much right now, other then I need a reboot, get my head clear, rethink a whole bunch of stuff and going home is the right thing for me. 

 

The bottom line for me was I think I could have managed about everything that was thrown at me, but I researched everywhere and contacted every insurance agent I could, and I never found medical insurance coverage, that included preexisting conditions,  for less then 700usd a month.  That blows my financial planning.  

 

I know it sounds totally stupid I did not figure this in, but I just flat missed it.

 

I was not going to go into much detail,  but, I will at least explain.   I'm not worried about my high cholesterol and Lipitor being a reason for not paying for a stent procedure if needed  even if It would still really wipe a big chunk of my savings. 

 

What I'm really concerned about is I had two eye procedures done due to vitreous traction and retinal bleeding in 2013.  Because I'm at risk of another,  I need access to covered medical care. You know  it's just stupid I did not think of all this. My bad.  I've got some serious thinking to do about what my future plans are, as soon as I'm over the worst jet lag in my life.  Thanks for your comment.   Take care.

Edited February 17, 2019 by CaptainJack
Better wording.

[EricTh]

9 hours ago, CaptainJack said:

 I don't want to live with the constant changes and consequences if the rules change and I no longer meet Thai requirements. 

 

The rules doesn't constantly change.

 

The basic rule has always been the same since the beginning, you need a minimum of 800 k or a monthly pension coming in at 6500 baht. But most retirees don't have these amount of money so they 'cheated' by going through the loopholes.

 

1. They declared false affidavits knowing that their country doesn't validate

2. They borrowed money from agents just for a few months.

3. They recycled their money for the monthly incoming  pension.

 

Somebody in immigration finally managed to improve their English, wise-up by reading the posts in ThaiVisa and is slowly closing the loopholes one by one.

 

The only change is to have above 800k for 5 months instead of three months in the past. Anybody who genuinely has 800k (and didn't borrow from agent) would have no problem keeping a minimum of 400k, I don't think anybody would spend 400k in only 7 months.

Edited February 17, 2019 by EricTh

[geriatrickid]

At least you are honest. Yes, you are correct, Thailand is not a place for  financially marginal foreigners, or to  be blunt, poor. No more so than the USA is a welcoming place for impoverished foreigners.

 

As a military veteran you can access the VA health system and despite all tis faults it is superior to what Thais can access. You are wise to not stay in Thailand if you cannot obtain critical health care.

 

In respect to the Visa hassles and the very rare verification of immigration status by a physical stop and check, now you have a whiff of what legal latin American visitors and  alien residents must contend with. 

 

The reality is that Thailand really isn't doing anything  that the west doesn't do in respect to immigration requirements. if anything Thailand  sets the bar much lower.  If Thailand  adjusted its  financial requirements for inflation, I expect that foreigners would have to show  2 million+ baht.

 

The changes  with immigration are bad news for some foreigners, but excellent and welcome for others.  It may finally clear out alot of the marginals who have run up unpaid medical bills or who run boiler shop operations or operate motorcycle gangs or recruit for pornography etc.

 

 

[robertson468]

I have had the priviledge to live in Thailand now for 14 years and am married to a lovely Thai Lady, who went through uni and had her own business when we met.  I have lots of Thai and European Friends in Thailand, predominantly my Wife's delightful female friends.  At the age of a very young 74, I have graduated to the "Papa" stage with my Wife's Friends, who love to spoil and take care of me.....very lucky boy I know.  We have both a Thai and UK income (albeit dwindling a bit thanks to Brexit), but are very comfortably off.  I love Thailand and my life style, but must confess to periodically getting itchy feet (syndrom of the ex-serviceman who is posted every three years) and start exploring the internet.  One of the places I looked at and was quite impressed with was Panama, but the thought of walking away from a very successfull little business here and that added income, plus the climate, the food, the people et al I decided I could probably not better my living standards or lifestyle anywhere else.  Yes the Visa thing is a bit of a nuisance, but it is setteling down and I suspect the thing that annoys people the most, particularly our generation is........change.  As for medical cover my Niece has just graduated as a Doctor, as did half a dozen of her Friends, who have all said that they will take care of me if the worst comes to the worst.  So, all in all I feel that right now I am in a pretty good place and am satisfying these itchy feet by going to visit other Countries about three times a year and strangely enough, I am always glad to come back to Thailand.  Could things change, of course they could, but as for now, as they say in Thailand, "me quam suk maak, maak". 

[Artisi]

The easy solution is / was to marry an intelligent, younger, and honest lady who is a government employee, admittedly the income is on the low side - but free health insurance for me even when she retires on a modest pension.

Arrange a marriage extension to your visa and put B400,000 in a fixed deposit, keep your nose clean with the local immigration guys, then sit back and relax.  

[marcusarelus]

3 minutes ago, Artisi said:

The easy solution is / was to marry an intelligent, younger, and honest lady who is a government employee, admittedly the income is on the low side - but free health insurance for me even when she retires on a modest pension.

Arrange a marriage extension to your visa and put B400,000 in a fixed deposit, keep your nose clean with the local immigration guys, then sit back and relax.  

Neighbor is a teacher who just passed her government test so she can work at a government school - her reasoning - the availability of low cost loans. 

[Odysseus123]

1 hour ago, CaptainJack said:

I looked at what seemed realistic for her and me at this point.  She is 43  a college graduate and still struggles.   I know I don't have the resources to care for both of us back in the USA,  even if I could get her a Visa. I made the decisions I needed to make for me.  I've given her as much money as I can afford, furnished an affordable apartment for her and we chat daily. The reasons we originally got together did not matter.  Bottom line  we were introduced on a double date by a friend of mine and fell for each other.

 

I'll try to help her because I care about her.  And I don't care what anyone thinks about Thai women and that think I'm stupid.   I trust her and believe her.  I have decided to leave. I'll do what I can for her from afar.  

PS.

 

I don't care for the way Thai or any women are treated and objectified.  I made a point to treat her with love and respect.   There is no, "just find another girlfriend " for me.  I was not even looking when we met.

 

I hope that answers your question. 

 

Take care....

 

 

Captain Jack,

 

Thank you for pointing out about how Thai women (and others) are objectified..

 

I never had any problems with Thai immigration (very kind) and my wife was of great assistance in getting me home-a very touch and go medical scenario...

 

In return I applied for her to join me in my own country.The process went as smooth as silk (5 months) and she had her Medicare and Tax File Number within two weeks of arrival.There appears to be no stopping her now..????

 

You made the decision which is right for you-as I did.Well done.

[yobosayo]

no i wasn't there. in korea at this time soon will come back would like to head south. not sure how safe Mex. is

[seancbk]

9 hours ago, madmen said:

You blew your cash in 9 months? you didn't say why your GF left but Im guessing back to you running out of cash.

I think 9 months could be a record for a failed attempt at trying to make it here.

 

I would suggest you dont leave the USA where you will be taken care of

Where did he say he blew his cash?

Where did he say his GF left?

Where did he say he was leaving the US?   He just got back there and from what I read has decided to stay there.

His attempt to retire was not a failure, he just realised it wasn't as easy as he would have liked.

 

[theonetrueaussie]

Wise decision captain jack and it's not only retirees I am in my 30's and refuse to buy anything or settle down here for exactly the same reasons. You NEVER know when immigration will change their rules or when you might meet an immigration officer having a bad day and not be allowed to stay anymore. Many of my friends have already left over the visa situation and it is exactly what you said the uncertainty of it all. Why spend money and make a life here when at any time you may be kicked out, yes the odds are not high but it is still a possibility. 

[Raymonddiaz]

The 1 year renewable Visa policy is a bad thing for Thailand. But they will only learn when most of the retirees leave for other more welcoming countries such as Malaysia or Vietnam.... Good luck to all... It's going to be very tougher and tougher.. 

[JAFO]

These thread always interest me. There seems to be this threshold that after "xx" age all folks seem to focus on is Health insurance etc. As the OP is an American he was constantly bombarded with medical costs and the fear the medical businesses instills in us citizens. It grips many many people. I personally refuse to be caught up in the fear tactics and let it alter my course in life.

 

As for Thailand itself. As I have said and will say again, You absolutely make it what it is. People fixate on things and that ends up consuming them to the point they can't see the forest for the trees. There are many alternatives if one is willing to put the effort forward to investigate. However when people get older they tend to want less complication to their daily life versus more so moving abroad is not such an advisable plan if one is not willing to be adaptable. If it was easy, everyone would do it

 

I wish you the best OP. The decision you made was best for you and that's all that matters. I live here in Thailand on a marriage Visa and my life simply couldn't be better. 

Edited February 17, 2019 by JAFO

[Artisi]

23 minutes ago, marcusarelus said:

Neighbor is a teacher who just passed her government test so she can work at a government school - her reasoning - the availability of low cost loans. 

and free medical for life for her immediate family and parents - admittedly only in Govt. hospitals by beats no insurance.

[lanng khao]

2 hours ago, Liverpudlian said:

Great topic and in my instance i will be grazing my old cash cow back UK quite soon .... tired of living in between goal posts of cash demands.and wall to wall heat in which you cant do bugger all but remain indoors, looking forwards to brisk walks and cleaner air fish N chips with a good old slap N tickle buxom wench OHHH YESSSS !!

Back to county road it is then?????

[1FinickyOne]

Sorry things did not work for you... 

 

So far, near 20 years and I have not had any of the issues you describe. Police have always been polite at checkpoints, no changes for me in retirement visa... I know finances can sometimes get out of our control but I wonder how much of the disgruntled responses here are caused by people not having adequate finances, which leads me to believe they will have issues wherever the choose to live... I do think the medical is going to be a big issue for many as I have seen large increases here... I guess every place will have its plusses and minuses... 

 

Best of luck to you. 

[Tony125]

1 hour ago, CaptainJack said:

I looked at what seemed realistic for her and me at this point.  She is 43  a college graduate and still struggles.   I know I don't have the resources to care for both of us back in the USA,  even if I could get her a Visa. I made the decisions I needed to make for me.  I've given her as much money as I can afford, furnished an affordable apartment for her and we chat daily. The reasons we originally got together did not matter.  Bottom line  we were introduced on a double date by a friend of mine and fell for each other.

 

I'll try to help her because I care about her.  And I don't care what anyone thinks about Thai women and that think I'm stupid.   I trust her and believe her.  I have decided to leave. I'll do what I can for her from afar.  

PS.

 

I don't care for the way Thai or any women are treated and objectified.  I made a point to treat her with love and respect.   There is no, "just find another girlfriend " for me.  I was not even looking when we met.

 

I hope that answers your question. 

 

Take care....

 

 

Where does she work? If she has a Gov job --teacher, nurse , Immigration officer, ect. she can add you to her health care policy if married.    

https://medicare.com/medicare-advantage/does-medicare-advantage-cover-overseas-travel/

 

Some Medigap policies provide coverage for travel abroad. Medigap plans C through G, M, and N cover 80% of the cost of emergency care abroad. Check with your policy for specific coverage rules.

Medicare Advantage Plans may also cover emergency care abroad. Contact your plan for more information about its costs and coverage rules.

[samsensam]

 

it certainly sounds like thailand, sadly, isn't/was never the place for you;

 

1. I do not want to spend the rest of my life jumping through endless hoops to be able to live in Thailand.  Too much stress. 

 

i have recently changed to retirement extension status, sure it was a bit time consuming to set up but not difficult and certainly not stressful. i went to CW and found all the IOs i dealt with to be helpful and friendly.

 

2. I don't have enough savings to deposit 800k baht and not not touch it for 5 months and also not touch 400k for the rest of my life.My monthly is not an issue. 

 

if you dont meet the basic financial requirements then thailand long term is a non-starter - it's a no brainer

 

3. I don't want to live with the constant changes and consequences if the rules change and I no longer meet Thai requirements. 

 

immigration policies change in every county, that's just how it is, they dont change excessively often here and legitimate ex-pats who meet the criteria generally have no issues adapting.

 

4. I cannot afford the cost of comprehensive medical insurance.  At age 66, I do not qualify for any reasonable premiums.  My Medicare premiums the USA is a fraction of what medical insurance will cost me in Thailand. 

 

if you can't manage the financial cost of living here then up front you need to seriously consider if you should live here

 

5. I do not like being stopped by immigration police outside my apartment and demanding my passport and documents and fearing arrest and possible deportation. 

 

not sure where you live but in 20 years in bangkok i, and all my friends, have never had to show  passports or any documents to the police. i have never feared arrest or deportation, as neither would any normal law abiding citizen.

 

what what activities where you getting up to to draw the attention of the police and make you fear arrest and deportation?!

 

 

6. I am tired of the smog.

[yobosayo]

1 hour ago, CaptainJack said:

If for no other reason  I'm really glad I made this post to hear from you.  I was at the 50th anniversary of the 1st Aviation Brigade at Ft. Rucker, which was also the 45th anniversary of the 45h anniversary of the 16th Aviation Battalion.   We were the Vulture Unit at Can Tho.  Were you at the anniversary?  If so, we met. Great to connect. 

No, here in Korea. Going back to San Antonio near the end of this year. Maybe head south from there no sure if Mexico will be safe for me

[Harveyg]

10 hours ago, CaptainJack said:

Well, this is exactly what I expected.  A crude reply with assumptions that have no basis in my real experience.   Enjoy your life.  I'm going to have mine, do what is best for me and be happy I took the time to write something positive.  Bye bye.

I decided to reply to let you know I appreciated what you wrote and how you wrote it. If any other negative oriented person writes in I encourage you to not even give him the time to reply.  I’m sure there are those reading your post and appreciating it. 

As for me, after 9 years and 68 yrs old, I will be losing my work permit soon.  I have. I idea what my next steps will be.  I wasn’t ready to stop working - it wasn’t my choice.  I thought I’d get a retirement visa after going back to Oakland for 3 months. Had never thought much about it thinking that time wasn’t coming soon.  I have a pension and some decent rental income but you’ve given me pause.  I need to think it through more clearly, especially the medical aspect.  Thanks again

[Sheryl]

Most people who have health insurance have policies that guarantee lifetime cover. Getting kicked off a policy due to age is a non-issue unless someone chose really, really badly in their policy.

 

And insurance can be newly obtained after age 65. The problem though for many is that by that age they often have pre existing conditions that preclylufe coverage.

 

Premiums do rise with age though, no question about that.

 

If you cannot afford health insurance (or to self insure, but that takes a lot of money set aside) then indeed should not retire here, not a safe plan.

 

From how you describe your situation your best option is either stay in US or retire somewhere close enough to it (e.g. Mexico) that you can easily travel to and fro for mefical care.

 

The police stopping you on the street and asking for your passport bit is absolutely not typical and must have to do with where you were living. Most of us have never experienced this.

 

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

 

[nervona81732]

Captain Jack, thank you for your service, I am one VN vet also. I know it is a tough choice. Be well and prosper. Cheers!!

 

[rumak]

7 hours ago, e2x10 said:

Good for you! I am on the edge of jumping ship myself.. The next stupid requirement for Ex Pats will do it for me. I have had enough.

thailand is not for everyone.   please remember to let us all know where you went,  and how much better it is for you.   and what requirements there are to live there full time

Edited February 17, 2019 by rumak