Too much immigration stress

[Khon Kaen Jeff]

8 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

I have a good life here, but that doesn't mean that all is roses all the time, or that a compulsory health insurance requirement would not impact me to such an extent that I would have to leave here.  I like my life here very much, but there are other options, as there are for all expats.  The birds still sing , the pool still looks inviting and Lewis will win the US GP, so all is fairly well with the world. 

I was only jesting piotman. Are you really thinking about moving, would be a big upheaval at your time of life? A lot of people talk about it but few do it.

[Pilotman]

10 minutes ago, Khon Kaen Jeff said:

I was only jesting piotman. Are you really thinking about moving, would be a big upheaval at your time of life? A lot of people talk about it but few do it.

Well I may be forced to leave at some point.  Time of life really isn't an issue for me, if I did have to leave, it would be to a new adventure and not too far from here.  One thing is for sure, it would not be to the UK. All that said, I am on a None O so it looks like the uncertainty is over, at least for now. 

[Khon Kaen Jeff]

35 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

Well I may be forced to leave at some point.  Time of life really isn't an issue for me, if I did have to leave, it would be to a new adventure and not too far from here.  One thing is for sure, it would not be to the UK. All that said, I am on a None O so it looks like the uncertainty is over, at least for now. 

I don't think you will be going anywhere anytime soon. My thoughts are similar to yours, still quite like it here but don't see it as the be all and end all, at some point I will be moving on to pastures new, and like yourself somewhere not too far no doubt. I  have a young family here so kind of stuck for the time being.

[TSF]

On 10/26/2019 at 3:25 PM, Pilotman said:

It's just not in the Thai culture, at least not for the run of the mill village people.  My wife is angry beyond words, but you would never really know it unless you knew her well.  She sees no point in complaining even if she knew how to do it and who to contact. She goes with the situation, but she is as unhappy about it all as I am. 

Yes, that is the Thai way, and a huge factor in the very high rate of murder here. They keep the anger bottled up inside then one day explode. Our way of letting off some steam from time to time is far healthier, for us and those we interact with.

[fredob43]

4 hours ago, johnmell said:

The fact i dont pay UK council tax is enough reason to keep me here.

Have to agree with you. One of my houses I have in the UK my daughter is staying there so I know the costs. She pays out 176UK a month for council tax.

I would like to ask what do you get for that. Dustbins emptied once every 2 weeks and a bit of lighting. Oh + road maintenance that's never done.

[fredob43]

8 hours ago, LivinLOS said:

For those who entered on an oa they still need insurance and 800k in the bank.  

 

How long do you think they ate going to keep stamping some folks retirement extensions without it while demanding other retirement extensions require it ? Not long is my guess,  it's the thin end of the wedge. 

I cant see that happening, I think the Thais assume that if you can afford to put 800k in a Thai bank you can afford hospital bills.

[473geo]

33 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

Have to agree with you. One of my houses I have in the UK my daughter is staying there so I know the costs. She pays out 176UK a month for council tax.

I would like to ask what do you get for that. Dustbins emptied once every 2 weeks and a bit of lighting. Oh + road maintenance that's never done.

You are a bit out of touch with reality - if you must criticise UK council tax least be aware of all the services and projects it contributes towards and the quality of those services

[fredob43]

4 hours ago, sletraveler said:

Wasn’t aware of 800 in bank eliminating potential for having to have insurance.  Albeit I would want insurance anyway like I have now.   No outpatient.    Just saying if it gets over $400 a month the no cost health insurance in US would make living there more affordable.  

At least now you now know that having 800k in a Thai bank eliminates the insurance thing. I think that goes for the 400k marriage visa as well.

Just found out that having the 65k? a month coming in for a visa you don't need insurance for that either.

 

I thought you had to pay in the US for treatment??? Unless you paid for high insurance costs.

 

Unlike the UK where it's free for any type of treatment. Even that wouldn't tempt me to go back to the UK.

[fredob43]

25 minutes ago, 473geo said:

You are a bit out of touch with reality - if you must criticise UK council tax least be aware of all the services and projects it contributes towards and the quality of those services

I do know there's lots more, but most of them don't effect me. So I would be paying for things I don't need.

Unlike here where there is NO C/Tax and you still get most things that the UK MAKES YOU PAY FOR and for Free. Take dustbins we get 3 cleans out's a week. Lighting road maintenance and police are also free. Cant see that you can compare the two.

 

Forgot to mention the quality you said. Dustbins twice a month longer in some places. Police they have closed two local police stations where I used to live. Roads have more pot holes than anywhere in Thailand I know of. Try and get home help my late mother needed some and got nothing. Was told to order for shops to deliver food. She was disabled and couldn't get out of the house. Had to rely on family. Must say great quality of service.

[TSF]

2 hours ago, Khon Kaen Jeff said:

I don't think you will be going anywhere anytime soon. My thoughts are similar to yours, still quite like it here but don't see it as the be all and end all, at some point I will be moving on to pastures new, and like yourself somewhere not too far no doubt. I  have a young family here so kind of stuck for the time being.

That's it mate, the same story for so many of us. I'm in a very close long-term relationship, now in it's 7th year. Just can't walk away from her so I'm stuck too. I also "still quite like it here" but it sure ain't as good as it was before. 

 

[473geo]

1 minute ago, fredob43 said:

I do know there's lots more, but most of them don't effect me. So I would be paying for things I don't need.

Unlike here where there is NO C/Tax and you still get most things that the UK SELLS and for Free. Take dustbins we get 3 cleans out's a week. Lighting road maintenance and police are also free. Cant see that you can compare the two.

Ah yes but the UK council tax is part of a bigger system in the UK, one that offers it's citizens a safety net, a good pension, a good standard of education, free healthcare and medicines/ a good public transport system, support and care when older. pavements you can comfortably walk along, pedestrian crossings that stop the traffic.

You get a free bin empty 3 days a week and street lighting for free, I guess you are correct not a good idea to start comparing the two, you choose pay as you need no problem, your 'saving' of 7000 baht a month would just about cover medical insurance - right

 

[LivinLOS]

1 hour ago, fredob43 said:

I cant see that happening, I think the Thais assume that if you can afford to put 800k in a Thai bank you can afford hospital bills.

But thats the law we are discussing ?!?! 

 

 

[LivinLOS]

41 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

At least now you now know that having 800k in a Thai bank eliminates the insurance thing. I think that goes for the 400k marriage visa as well.

Just found out that having the 65k? a month coming in for a visa you don't need insurance for that either.

 

Your information is the opposite of the majority of the offices in Thailand, the head office CW, the phone hotline, etc and most of the all the clear law. 

[fredob43]

2 hours ago, LivinLOS said:

Your information is the opposite of the majority of the offices in Thailand, the head office CW, the phone hotline, etc and most of the all the clear law. 

Well I didn't have to show insurance with the 800k in the bank when I did mine 2 months or so ago. Also several friends of mine that just do the 400k marriage they were told no insurance needed. And another friend that I phoned this morning to check, who did his 65k? coming in monthly visa last week didn't need it either. So it is available regardless of what any law or C/W says.

 

I think it's only applicable to 0 and A visas. I'm not going to check as the Ruby is about to start. It's live on UK ITV 1 if anyone wants to know. Come on you English.

 

Suggest you look at post 163 that has it in clear English.

[LivinLOS]

8 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

Well I didn't have to show insurance with the 800k in the bank when I did mine 2 months or so ago. Also several friends of mine that just do the 400k marriage they were told no insurance needed. And another friend that I phoned this morning to check, who did his 65k? coming in monthly visa last week didn't need it either. So it is available regardless of what any law or C/W says.

 

I think it's only applicable to 0 and A visas. I'm not going to check as the Ruby is about to start. It's live on UK ITV 1 if anyone wants to know. Come on you English.

This only relates to OA visas and the extensions of permissions of stay generated by them. 

Having 800k in the bank in no way negates requiring insurance for those. 

Things that happened months ago have zero relevance on a new law starting now. 

[fredob43]

12 minutes ago, LivinLOS said:

This only relates to OA visas and the extensions of permissions of stay generated by them. 

Having 800k in the bank in no way negates requiring insurance for those. 

Things that happened months ago have zero relevance on a new law starting now. 

Suggest you also look at post 163 it's in Black and white with the important bit's picked out in Red.

 

You can of cause get a multi 0 visa if your married in Vietnam. Don't have to show any monies or insurance friend of mine got his yesterday now on the way back with a 1 year 0 visa. Not sure if you can get if your not married.

[LivinLOS]

7 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

Suggest you also look at post 163 it's in Black and white with the important bit's picked out in Red.

 

You can of cause get a multi 0 visa if your married in Vietnam. Don't have to show any monies or insurance friend of mine got his yesterday now on the way back with a 1 year 0 visa.

er you mean post 163... That I posted !!!! 

and what exactly about post 163 isnt precisely what I just said ?? 

 

[fredob43]

1 minute ago, LivinLOS said:

er you mean post 163... That I posted !!!! 

and what exactly about post 163 isnt precisely what I just said ?? 

 

 

2 minutes ago, LivinLOS said:

er you mean post 163... That I posted !!!! 

and what exactly about post 163 isnt precisely what I just said ?? 

 

Sorry didn't look who posted it. Well you said that it doesn't negate having to have insurance for having 800k in the bank. Well the bit's in red clearly state that. Maybe I'm stupid and cant read English. But I thought it said clearly it only applies to 0/A visas. No more post from me as the Ruby is about to start.

[ukrules]

On 10/26/2019 at 10:13 AM, TigerandDog said:

Where did you read that you need health insurance for an extension to be granted? As far as I know, and UbonJoe can confirm this, the health insurance requirement is ONLY for new O-A visa applications, and they can only be acquired outside of Thailand. At this point in time, there is no requirement for health insurance for an extension, to the best of my knowledge. Also I play golf with an IO and he tells me the same thing.

How's that working out for you now?

[ukrules]

35 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

Well I didn't have to show insurance with the 800k in the bank when I did mine 2 months or so ago. Also several friends of mine that just do the 400k marriage they were told no insurance needed. And another friend that I phoned this morning to check, who did his 65k? coming in monthly visa last week didn't need it either. So it is available regardless of what any law or C/W says.

 

I think it's only applicable to 0 and A visas. I'm not going to check as the Ruby is about to start. It's live on UK ITV 1 if anyone wants to know. Come on you English.

 

Suggest you look at post 163 that has it in clear English.

This rule only affects OA visas and came into effect 2 days ago

[LivinLOS]

10 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

 

Sorry didn't look who posted it. Well you said that it doesn't negate having to have insurance for having 800k in the bank. Well the bit's in red clearly state that. Maybe I'm stupid and cant read English. But I thought it said clearly it only applies to 0/A visas. No more post from me as the Ruby is about to start.

I still cant understand you.. So perhaps I agree with part of that statement. 

OA visas need 800k in the bank AND insurance, to obtain an extension.

[LivinLOS]

5 minutes ago, ukrules said:

This rule only affects OA visas and came into effect 2 days ago

These posters !!! Its mind blowing. 

 

They say the rules are confusing (the text looks pretty clear to me !!! OK some aspects left undetermined) but so many people cant seem to read !!! 

[sletraveler]

3 hours ago, fredob43 said:

At least now you now know that having 800k in a Thai bank eliminates the insurance thing. I think that goes for the 400k marriage visa as well.

Just found out that having the 65k? a month coming in for a visa you don't need insurance for that either.

 

I thought you had to pay in the US for treatment??? Unless you paid for high insurance costs.

 

Unlike the UK where it's free for any type of treatment. Even that wouldn't tempt me to go back to the UK.

Hmmm, not needing insurance if you meet the financial requirements doesn’t make sense.  Because if you don’t meet the financial requirements you don’t get the visa and so insurance for retirement purposes OA is a moot point.   
As to health care costs I get all but dental free of charge through Veterans Administraion.  Otherwise I would need to be buying Medicare supplemental insurance here for future needs even though it is useless outside of US. 

[fredob43]

4 hours ago, 473geo said:

Ah yes but the UK council tax is part of a bigger system in the UK, one that offers it's citizens a safety net, a good pension, a good standard of education, free healthcare and medicines/ a good public transport system, support and care when older. pavements you can comfortably walk along, pedestrian crossings that stop the traffic.

You get a free bin empty 3 days a week and street lighting for free, I guess you are correct not a good idea to start comparing the two, you choose pay as you need no problem, your 'saving' of 7000 baht a month would just about cover medical insurance - right

 

Half time in the rugby so will reply. Yes I will agree with you on a couple of points pavements that you can walk on if there not buggered. And education. But the rest is just rubbish.

 

Please correct me if I'm incorrect but all the other things you Pay for from your wages every week or month. Pensions you now have to wait longer to receive, by years in some cases. Health care don't you have to buy N/Health stamps? Medicines you don't get free either you pay extra for a proscriptions. Ask my Mother about old age care she got no help what so ever. You make it sound so good when it fact you pay well in advance for anything you get.

[fredob43]

1 hour ago, sletraveler said:

Hmmm, not needing insurance if you meet the financial requirements doesn’t make sense.  Because if you don’t meet the financial requirements you don’t get the visa and so insurance for retirement purposes OA is a moot point.   
As to health care costs I get all but dental free of charge through Veterans Administraion.  Otherwise I would need to be buying Medicare supplemental insurance here for future needs even though it is useless outside of US. 

Seems that you are different for normal peeps. Most will have to pay out and huge amounts in the USA.

 

I got my 0 visa years ago so don't need a new one they just renew my retirement visa every year. Then again if you want an 0 visa you can get one in Vietnam without insurance or showing any cash. That can be then changed into a retirement visa. Whatever you will still in the end need cash. That's stands for retiring anywhere.

[fredob43]

1 hour ago, LivinLOS said:

I still cant understand you.. So perhaps I agree with part of that statement. 

OA visas need 800k in the bank AND insurance, to obtain an extension.

Or 65k? in monies coming in to your Thai account every month. I cant see where you get the insurance bit from as you don't need that to apply for a retirement Visa.

 

To get an 0 visa is simple start off with a 30 day on arrival visa, then go as I have said to Vietnam and get 0 visa no need to show any monies or insurance then change that to Retirement one sorted. You only need one 0 visa to start with so problem solved. Many of my friends have done just that. One got his 1 year 0 visa last Friday (yesterday) and now on his way back. But what ever way you go about it you will still need monies in the end. Wherever you live.

[473geo]

29 minutes ago, fredob43 said:

Half time in the rugby so will reply. Yes I will agree with you on a couple of points pavements that you can walk on if there not buggered. And education. But the rest is just rubbish.

 

Please correct me if I'm incorrect but all the other things you Pay for from your wages every week or month. Pensions you now have to wait longer to receive, by years in some cases. Health care don't you have to buy N/Health stamps? Medicines you don't get free either you pay extra for a proscriptions. Ask my Mother about old age care she got no help what so ever. You make it sound so good when it fact you pay well in advance for anything you get.

Oh please the system has been in place for years not paid for by any individual, the current workforce pay  to maintain the system, for not only themselves, but past improvements, and investment for the future, nobody 'buys' any service that is the beauty of it, (unless you go private) those that are capable contribute, and those who do not require the use of the system are the blessed and most likely pleased their contribution is there for others and in case they may eventually have need.

Free prescriptions over sixty, just about the time many are likely to require it!!

The fact is some 40% of revenue for the average working man contributes to UK system, moving to a country where the same benefits do not exist, may, as with your council tax comment represent a potential saving.

The benefits are still available to those in the UK as they age with no additional cost. Where, your country of choice however may require payment, thus negating the saving.

There are benefits to living in Thailand, there are also benefits of having worked and lived in the UK, being in one place criticising the other does not improve your situation. May make you feel you made the right choice of course ????

 

 

[yogi100]

On 10/26/2019 at 9:25 AM, Pilotman said:

It's just not in the Thai culture, at least not for the run of the mill village people.  My wife is angry beyond words, but you would never really know it unless you knew her well.  She sees no point in complaining even if she knew how to do it and who to contact. She goes with the situation, but she is as unhappy about it all as I am. 

I've met three bar girls in Pattaya who are seething with anger at the whole situation. They and their families get their living from falangs. And that's the only three I've discussed the issue with!

 

As more falangs depart and less falangs come their rice bowls will empty and the tablets, smart phones and television sets won't be arriving from Big C and Tesco Lotus. 

 

Messrs Woo Flung Dung and Patel certainly wont be stepping into the breach.

[fredob43]

58 minutes ago, 473geo said:

Oh please the system has been in place for years not paid for by any individual, the current workforce pay  to maintain the system, for not only themselves, but past improvements, and investment for the future, nobody 'buys' any service that is the beauty of it, (unless you go private) those that are capable contribute, and those who do not require the use of the system are the blessed and most likely pleased their contribution is there for others and in case they may eventually have need.

Free prescriptions over sixty, just about the time many are likely to require it!!

The fact is some 40% of revenue for the average working man contributes to UK system, moving to a country where the same benefits do not exist, may, as with your council tax comment represent a potential saving.

The benefits are still available to those in the UK as they age with no additional cost. Where, your country of choice however may require payment, thus negating the saving.

There are benefits to living in Thailand, there are also benefits of having worked and lived in the UK, being in one place criticising the other does not improve your situation. May make you feel you made the right choice of course ????

 

 

I happen to have lived and worked in the UK and am pleased about the outcome retirement wise. Glad to say that I can live here on my pension that's is still paid by the UK government. I could of cause live even better if they didn't tax any amount over 10k UK a year. I do have considerable savings and property in the UK so that brings in a few more Bob thank Buddha.

 

Now could I survive in the UK on just my pension with nearly 500UK every month pay out strait away for utility bills as against 70UK here. I think I would be had pressed to exist let alone live well. So if you don't mind I'll continue to live my great life here thank you.

[HuskerDo]

Many expats move to Thailand due to its supposed lower cost of living but now that there is mandatory health insurance (which will cost hundreds of dollars a month for a quality policy for someone above age 65) and then you combine that with the money you have to fork over each month to family if you got married to a Thai it pretty much offsets the lower cost of all the other things you moved there for. Many are leaving the country for many good reasons. For many who cut ties with friends and family "back home" it will make for a more difficult time to return there. Best of luck to all.