SURVEY: Would you recommend Thailand as a retirement destination?

[dick dasterdly]

2 hours ago, noise said:

You should have included one or two options worded around speaking the language and accepting the culture.  Thai Visa is full of expats posting about having continuous problems with both.

I agree.

 

Every now and again it's very hard to 'accept the culture'  - especially if one is unable to explain the objections in fluent Thai.

[billsmart]

No, I don't want any more Farangs here. There are too many already...

[Kasane]

59 minutes ago, whiteman said:

Stickman latest message in print says no to Thailand as a retirement place but then again he does not have lots of money till his parents die. What would one expect as a ex teacher in Thailand for most of his working life here. Money talks

Stickman is confused. He talks about how one should do whatever one wants to while young (but where is money then?). When he is old and retired (few years in BKK) him wanting to do things as when he was young will just not cut. He says can lead a comfortable life here if live like Thai. But if live in BKK with lifestyle like in NYC then it's going to cost. Duh? BKK a cosmopolitan city too, very much like Western cities. Sure it will cost much to live in BKK. 

But he can go the other way too. Open his mind. Live on a farm in Issan. Grow organic crops, introduce better farming techniques, influence villagers to increase yield and productivity. Teach children English for free. Get into Vipassanna meditation. Give back to the world, except me, me, me.

[mike787]

1 hour ago, mania said:

 

I don't think folks with money choose Thailand as a retirement destination

 

Agreed!  NO WAY!  Why?  because Thailand is too risky.  Coming here with money means you are more vulnerable = can lose more.  Plus, too many other options.  Remember: Price is what you pay, Value is what you get.  Thailand does not deliver value for price, especially when considering other available options.  If one has lots of cash, one has even more  OPTIONS.  Remember: CASH is KING = Options in life!  

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

1 hour ago, dick dasterdly said:

"I would suggest a few trips here on vacation, before retirement, before making the decision, as Thailand is not for everyone."

 

A few trips here on vacation doesn't help at all, as living here is entirely different!

 

Well, visiting on tourism, with an eye toward a possible future move, certainly has some value and purpose. It certainly did for me, back when I was pondering the move. My vacations here were spent researching a move, not hanging out at the beaches and bars.

 

But I agree with your broader point, someone needs to have stayed here on a longer-term basis and in particular dealt with Thai Immigration and everyday Thai life issues here before being able to make an informed decision.

 

And I'd include in that, a good year of reading the daily news reports from Thailand and the TVF Immigration topics forum that would give the person a good idea of how the government / police / justice system / Thai mentality works here.

 

Edited June 9, 2019 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[bkk6060]

I would not recommend it because I like it.

More people is not better.

[connda]

I do not recommend either retiring in Thailand or worse, marrying a Thai national for numerous reasons:

Immigration is now moving the goalposts on short notice with increasing regularity.  We all simply wait for the next shoe to drop.

No consistency in the application of immigration law between immigration offices if not between individual immigration officers, many who seem to have never read the current police orders which are published online.  They make their own rules and there is nothing you can do - you have no recourse other than to comply or leave.  
No sense of any humanitarianism at all as we recently watched a 77 year old Alzheimer's patient forced out of the country because she could no longer meet the newly changed Retirement Visa rules - but worse imho was that she has a serious Medical Condition - Alzheimer's...The Long Goodbye - and was a resident in a Thai Medical Facility for Alzheimer's patients, and yet this heartless government could not extend her a Medical Visa for her Medical Condition and instead insisted on her having a retirement visa instead.  The family could not afford the cost of care and the cost of the new Retirement Visa regulations implemented March 1 - so the elderly invalid with a terminal Medical Condition was shown the door.  It sheer lunacy.  Keep that in mind long-stay expats when you become old and disabled with medical problems as you'll be shown the door too in your hour of need.  

Thailand has the one of the most dangerous road systems in the world and recently was The Most Dangerous Roads in the World #1.  Traffic enforcement of moving violations is non-existance, therefore the roads are simply anarchy.  Drivers are ill trained and a large percentage are extremely aggressive.  This leads to a high number of daily deaths (average about 60/day) and accidents.
Northern Thailand is choked by PM 2.5 particulate that is dangerous to human health as evidenced by the North having exceedingly high lung disease rates.  This choking smoke lasted 4 months this year or 1/3 of a year from February though the month of May.  And at times this year the North had The Most Dangerous Air Quality in the World #1.
We constantly see Thai-on-foreigner violence.  The most recent telling incidents being a taxi driver kidnapping two Korean tourists, robbing and beating them with the excuse that they asked him to turn on his meter.  And the latest in absurdity was the recent plea from Phuket police officials to taxi drivers asking them not the "Cheat" or "Beat" tourists - you have got to be kidding!  "Pretty please - don't Beat The Tourist as it's bad for our image.  Amazing!
Xenophobia in this country is institutionalize. 
For those marrying a Thai and raising a family, if you are a male you'll have no path to permanent residency and given the winds of fate Thai Immigration could break up your family.  If your wife dies you'll need to get a different visa.  If you can not, you get separated from your family unless you are supporting a minor child.  But if your kids have grown, regardless of the sacrifice you placed in providing for and supporting your extended family for years - you'll be shown the door. No compassion; no humanitarianism.  
Live in the beach areas and they are a polluted, plastic stewn mess.
You'll always be an outsider, and outsiders are subject to two-tiered pricing.  
If you moved to Thailand because you are Buddhist, welcome to the new Buddhism where you, my good foreign Buddhist, will be charged money to enter their Thai Buddhist Temples to worship!  No longer do you make an offering, you if you wish to worship you'll be charged at the door for the privilege to worship with Thai Buddhists who pay nothing.  Not all temples, but its becoming a disturbing trends.
Volunteer to help Thailand, such as teaching school children English for free, do so at your own risk - it can land you in jail for being a philanthropist and deported.
As a foreigners you simply are considered a potential criminal.  As such you movements must be monitored literally on a 24 hour basis.  Not constantly reporting your whereabouts is a criminal offense, which will simply prove Immigration's premise that all foreigners are potential criminals.  
And the bottom line: You are considered a walking ATM.  If your money runs below some government threshold, even for a short period of time - you're out, and if you don't get out quick enough than you are a criminal overstayer and its jail then deportation for you.  So therefore there is no security or stability in creating a life in Thailand.  You are here on the whim of a government who neither trusts you nor particularly wants you to stay.  Just leave your money - and get out.

If you like living that Machiavellian existence - fine!  Some people are masochists.  But there are better places to retire.  I suggest looking elsewhere.  Had I not married 11 years ago, I would not now be here.  And if this Immigration dog-and-pony show get much more stupid - I'm leaving.  

So you have my take - I in no way recommend staying here other than for a short visit, and even at that there are much better places in this world to vacation.
 

[bkk6060]

19 minutes ago, mike787 said:

 Thailand does not deliver value for price,

For what? 

Do you travel and keep up on things?

It is still rated in the top 10 places is the world to retire in most publications.

From the places I visited before I settled here, I disagree with you.

Golf and girls and reasonable housing with decent infrastructure and amenities were my priorities in retirement.

And Thailand fits them all very comfortably for a reasonable budget thank you.

No money then I guess no honey seems like a personal issue certainly does not reflect on Thailand which is on the big picture still very affordable.

 

 

[toofarnorth]

2 hours ago, JaiLai said:

Things that appeal to me are:

 

1. I pay no tax here ( i work outside thailand )

2. Releatively safe

3. Been here too long and can't be arsed re-locating - where too?

4. I like the weather, especially if you have digs for example in North for winter / coast for summer etc. 

5. BKK has everything available you could ever need.

6. Nightlife is superb if you know where to go, albiet can get pricey.

7. Food is pretty good and avaialble all the time everywhere you go.

8. I pay no tax here.

9. It's easy to get to other SEA countries for a jolly, flying or by land.

10. I can build anything on my land without any sort of planning permission etc.

11. Nobody bothers me coz i mind my own business.

12. There's great medical facilities, albiet pricey.

13. If i wanted to i could root a different 20 year old girl ( or boy ) everynight of the week.

14. I pay no tax here.

 

All the stuff i hate ( and there's a fai bit )  i just try to ignore....

 

 

Yes but do you pay tax here ?

[JaiLai]

15 minutes ago, toofarnorth said:

Yes but do you pay tax here ?

Refer to points one, eight and fourteen.

[helloagain]

3 hours ago, noise said:

You should have included one or two options worded around speaking the language and accepting the culture.  Thai Visa is full of expats posting about having continuous problems with both.

Thai culture is ripping off forieners when they can. Beating up forieners. Immagration keep on changing rules. Medication and hospitals too expensive. Bloody uk government pension should increase where ever you live and we sjould be allowed to go back for free medical cos we bloody paid into it all our lives. Only good about here is my dear thai wife

[robertson468]

1 hour ago, dick dasterdly said:

"I would suggest a few trips here on vacation, before retirement, before making the decision, as Thailand is not for everyone."

 

A few trips here on vacation doesn't help at all, as living here is entirely different!

 

1 hour ago, dick dasterdly said:

"I would suggest a few trips here on vacation, before retirement, before making the decision, as Thailand is not for everyone."

 

A few trips here on vacation doesn't help at all, as living here is entirely different!

I would disagree, if you are practical about it.  My first trip was "Wow what a fantastic place", but by my fourth visit, I had taken off the "rose tinted glasses" and was looking at the practical aspects of living, socialising and travelling in Thailand.  I am a Brit and have to say, yes cost of living comes in to the equation, but is not a major part as I have more then enough to retire on, but I don't need to pay £10 for two beers here, which I did in the UK, or the high prices for either food from the stores or the great variety of restaurants.  Like most retirees, I was a bit annoyed that my Embassy could not be arsed to check income so that they could confirm my income and produce a letter for Immigration therby making Visa Application easier.  My pensions are military, civil service and government, which would have been very easy for the Embassy to do a check to confirm the information I provided to them, but no, their response was, "hello everyone, you are on your own"!  So don't go blaming the Immigration System, because the Embassy had just been signing blindly to confirm income.  Weather generally is great, I have loads and loads of lovely Thai Friends (even though my Thai is not the best, but can get bye), I don't pay the exorbitant Council Tax, I can easily travel to many other very interesting Countries in ASEAN.  The fact that I am married to a lovely, caring Lady, who happens to be Thai is clearly a bonus, but you do hear of Foreigners who fall foul of some of the rather pretty uneducated gold diggers, but they are not unique to Thailand!  We have a little Resort In her name, which enhances the income.  She will also inherit 40 rai of rubber tree plantation, plus 10 rai of mixed fruit plantation and an additional three bedroom house, all on the mainland.  What do I dislike most about Thailand.........having to travel back to the UK each year and seeing, what looks like unhappy, dowdily dressed and unsociable people who struggle to say hello, let alone smile.  But hey ho, that's where the Family are and I do love seeing them all, but they do prefer coming on holiday to us.........surprise, surprise!  And my Thai Family love meeting them too.  I'm sure there must be other things that irk, but I am too busy being happy to spend the time thinking about them.

[Jingthing]

I have to admit it's really hard for me to be objective about this because I'm in the middle of this, and yes retiring in Thailand has very much SOURED for me. 

 

But allowing for that caveat, I would say, yes it's quite good IF you're wealthy enough to retire in a place like New Zealand, but think about that for a moment, what percentage of people with that level of wealth would choose Thailand? 

 

Also considering Thailand offers no path towards permanent residence based on retirement and clearly never will, I would suggest it to people to enjoy for a few years, maybe even five, but do not buy anything and do not marry anyone!

[BritManToo]

38 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

It is still rated in the top 10 places is the world to retire in most publications.

All five years out of date, and most don't research themselves but quote previous publications.

[JaiLai]

3 minutes ago, helloagain said:

Thai culture is ripping off forieners when they can. Beating up forieners. Immagration keep on changing rules. Medication and hospitals too expensive. Bloody uk government pension should increase where ever you live and we sjould be allowed to go back for free medical cos we bloody paid into it all our lives. Only good about here is my dear thai wife

Once you've been here some time the 'ripping off' stops. 

 

I only see foreigners beat up on internet news, never in day to day life.

 

UK pension, forget about that sunshine......... UK is done! 

[BritManToo]

5 minutes ago, robertson468 said:

but I don't need to pay £10 for two beers here, which I did in the UK

In Cambodia and Vietnam, two 300ml beers cost $1.

In the Philippines a 700ml bottle of (San Miguel) Gin costs $2

Thailand is expensive compared to the surrounding countries for beer and spirits.

Edited June 9, 2019 by BritManToo

[JaiLai]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I have to admit it's really hard for me to be objective about this because I'm in the middle of this, and yes retiring in Thailand has very much SOURED for me. 

 

But allowing for that caveat, I would say, yes it's quite good IF you're wealthy enough to retire in a place like New Zealand, but think about that for a moment, what percentage of people with that level of wealth would choose Thailand? 

 

Also considering Thailand offers no path towards permanent residence based on retirement and clearly never will, I would suggest it to people to enjoy for a few years, maybe even five, but do not buy anything and do not marry anyone!

What appeals about NZ? cold / wet / expensive / absolutely miles away from anywhere, on the positive side - loads of sheep.....

 

It all comes back to wealth, PR in most countries is only a benifit for medical coverage if you can't afford private...

[JaiLai]

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

In Cambodia and Vietnam, two 300ml beers cost $1.

In the Philippines a 700ml bottle of (San Miguel) Gin costs $2

Thailand is expensive compared to the surrounding countries for beer.

Does your life revolve around only beer and banging?

 

Mine did when i was about 18........ but now i'm all grown up!

[dick dasterdly]

5 minutes ago, robertson468 said:

 

I would disagree, if you are practical about it.  My first trip was "Wow what a fantastic place", but by my fourth visit, I had taken off the "rose tinted glasses" and was looking at the practical aspects of living, socialising and travelling in Thailand.  <snip>

Really?  By your fourth visit you knew what it is like to live here???? ????

 

I apologise for snipping your post - but this comment left me stunned......

[robertson468]

1 minute ago, dick dasterdly said:

Really?  By your fourth visit you knew what it is like to live here???? ????

 

I apologise for snipping your post - but this comment left me stunned......

And no doubt you are stunned most of your life with the complete inability to start a constructive discussion?

[Jingthing]

7 minutes ago, JaiLai said:

What appeals about NZ? cold / wet / expensive / absolutely miles away from anywhere, on the positive side - loads of sheep.....

 

It all comes back to wealth, PR in most countries is only a benifit for medical coverage if you can't afford private...

Many wealthy people like it.

 

Typical retirement targets for wealthier expats include such places as --

 

Monaco 

Australia

New Zealand

France

 

Edited June 9, 2019 by Jingthing

[JaiLai]

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Many wealthy people like it.

Typical retirement targets for wealthier expats include such places as --

 

Monaco 

Australia

New Zealand

France

 

What appeals about NZ?

 

[White Christmas13]

1 hour ago, billsmart said:

No, I don't want any more Farangs here. There are too many already...

Maybe you should go home than we have room for another farang

[Jingthing]

Just now, JaiLai said:

What appeals about NZ?

 

I imagine it being clean, safe, first world, beautiful scenery, western culture, etc. appeals to a certain type of western expat, not necessarily retired. It's a popular choice for liberal types from he USA that have had enough of that place. Don't bug me with your obsession about NZ. I was making an EXAMPLE. Not inviting a discussion about NZ. My point is that in my opinion retirement in Thailand is mostly viable now for rather WEALTHY people and in my opinion most rather WEALTHY people would not choose Thailand (or even expatriation at all). 

[JaiLai]

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I imagine it being clean, safe, first world, beautiful scenery, western culture, etc. appeals to a certain type of western expat, not necessarily retired. It's a popular choice for liberal types from he USA that have had enough of that place. Don't bug me with your obsession about NZ. I was making an EXAMPLE. Not inviting a discussion about NZ. My point is that in my opinion retirement in Thailand is mostly viable now for rather WEALTHY people and in my opinion most rather WEALTHY people would not choose Thailand (or even expatriation at all). 

You imagine........so you know nothing about the place basically - thanks for clarifying that.

 

[Thingamabob]

2 hours ago, ezzra said:

Some how many of us get the feelings that Thailand doesn't really want anyone other than day's tourists who fly in get into a hotel , get on the buses, shop for trinkets visit temples and preferably leave back after few days, Thailand seems to increasingly making life difficulties for law abiding people who want to retire or if not of retirement age, just be here and enjoy Thailand, just look at the huge long queues and the long waiting list for visa in many consulate in the surrounding countries, and not to mention the hoops you need to jump through in the immigration offices all over the land, frequently moving the goalposts for more requirements more evidences, more documents higher fees and penalties, this is NOT what a host country should do...

Much better than most though. 

[RichardColeman]

Think you should have added into your question somewhere 'if you did not have a thai wife or thai children, would you recommend.....'

[Jingthing]

3 minutes ago, JaiLai said:

You imagine........so you know nothing about the place basically - thanks for clarifying that.

 

Do you know the meaning of EXAMPLE?

Did you understand the CONTEXT of my comment?

It was never intended to be about NZ specifically. 

The point again is that to really be secure long term in retirement in Thailand you now need to be wealthy and my point again for the freakin' third time is that people that are that wealthy are mostly NOT going to be interested in Thailand. There are other options for them. Cheers. 

[Thingamabob]

40 years in Thailand. Happily married to a Thai for 30 years. Still a great place to live as long as you have money and a brain.

[Thingamabob]

2 hours ago, dick dasterdly said:

Quite a few do, especially (in my experience) those from Singapore.

Correct. Foreigners who settle comfortably here are well resourced financially.