Escape Routes from Paradise

[DaRoadrunner]

22 hours ago, swissie said:

- Ecuador is in in turmoil (civil unrest).
- Chile is in turmoil (civil unrest).
- Bolivia is in turmoil (civil unrest).
- Argentina has gone bankrupt (once more).
- Uruguay (on the verge of civil unrest). Stay tuned. (The former "Switzerland" of South-America!) - Paraguay. Still a 4th world country.
- Columbia. Unresolved past issues concering "the Guerillas". The problem likely to re-emerge with a vengeance.
- Mexico: 2 Governements in place. The one in Mexico-City and the other one that controls the rest of the country.
- Venezuela: Ground-Floor opportunities if you arrive with suitcases packed with US$. (Real-Estate bargains plentyful).
- Dutch and French Guinea: = European territory.
- Central America ( Honduras, Guatemala, Panama etc, ect)

Of the South American countries, which offer a retirement visa and / or a path to residency / citizenship?

 

P.S. How come Brazil is not on your list?

[Jingthing]

41 minutes ago, DaRoadrunner said:

Of the South American countries, which offer a retirement visa and / or a path to residency / citizenship?

 

P.S. How come Brazil is not on your list?

Retirement visas are very common in Latin America. Sometimes though it's a residence scheme not explicitly labelled retirement. If its a place there that you're interested in most likely they have it. Also common there are residence visas based on non pension income. As they tend to attract younger people they generally have higher required levels. 

[emptypockets]

17 hours ago, Jip99 said:

Islamophobia ?

 

Penang certainly has it’s attractions.

 

Multiculturalism is one of them.

Stop with the phobia nonsense. Malaysia is Muslim simple as that. Talk to some Christians in Malaysia and see what they have to say. I have and its not nice.

Multiculturalism is a bullsh!t buzz word created by the fools who think they can divide and conquer until it all blows up in their faces. It has not, and will never work. Don't confuse this with multinationalism. Australia was great at that until multiculturalism raised its ugly head.

[Selatan]

17 hours ago, BritManToo said:

I won't live anywhere I can't buy a bacon sandwich for breakfast.

In Malaysia, the Chinese prefer Bak Kwa (Chinese Pork Jerky) Sandwich for breakfast. Price ranges from RM2.50 (18 baht) to RM5 (36 baht) per sandwich:

 

[Selatan]

19 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Too many Muslims.

Thailand's Muslim population: 5%

Philippines' Muslim population: 5%

UK's Muslim population: 5%

Indonesia's Muslim population: 87%

Malaysia's Muslim population: 60%

How many terrorist attacks committed by Muslims in the first 4 countries? Many. How many in Malaysia? Nearly none, and I do hope it remains so.

Like I have said before - you don't have to live in a Muslim-majority country to have a Muslim problem.

[Skallywag]

13 minutes ago, Selatan said:

Like I have said before - you don't have to live in a Muslim-majority country to have a Muslim problem.

Public Canings (whippings) for breaking Sharia law is one of the most medieval/religious practices.

Some other bizarre laws: 

5 Malaysian laws you probably didn't know existed (that can still get you in trouble)

• Singing obscene songs in public. 
• Playing drums at night in towns. 
• Insulting someone or cursing. 
• Getting drunk in public places. 
• Men receiving oral sex.     

[Selatan]

8 hours ago, ThomasThBKK said:

 

For me the mm2h visa is absolutely not worth it, i dont even consider malaysia as an upgrade over thailand in any way. same bs restrictions, no landownership etc. 

 

Malaysia is probably the only country in Southeast Asia that allows land ownership by foreigners.

Residential, commercial and industrial land may be purchased by foreigners. Buying agricultural land is very difficult but not totally restricted.

[Selatan]

7 minutes ago, Skallywag said:

Public Canings (whippings) for breaking Sharia law is one of the most medieval/religious practices.

Some other bizarre laws: 

5 Malaysian laws you probably didn't know existed (that can still get you in trouble)

• Singing obscene songs in public. 
• Playing drums at night in towns. 
• Insulting someone or cursing. 
• Getting drunk in public places. 
• Men receiving oral sex.     

Public whipping for the breaking of some Sharia Laws exists only in the state of Kelantan, but it is rarely carried out, and even that the kind of punishment was not allowed by the Federal Constitution. The ones that received the punishment voluntarily accepted the punishment because the whippings were quite mild  (skin not exposed) whereas the caning punishment provided by secular laws are horribly painful (skin exposed). Caning is for serious offences, such as rape and drug trafficking. Both Malaysia and Singapore practice caning.

Just to remind you, sharia laws don't apply to non-Muslims.

The 5 laws that you mentioned won't be a problem for you, right? I'm thankful that such laws exist to deter such acts. Can't stand any obscene drunkard singing away and making noise in the middle of the night.

[lkv]

.

Edited November 5, 2019 by lkv

[Selatan]

Just now, lkv said:

Singapore had no issue caning white guys in the past.

Yes, the most famous one should be the case of an 18-year old American, Michael Fay, for vandalism in Singapore. Vandals in Malaysia don't get caned, though.

[bwpage3]

11 hours ago, wwest5829 said:

Thank you. I am here in good measure due to being out priced in the USA. There are many working middle class retirees here from the capitalist western countries.

How are you outpriced in America when there are over 10,000's of Thai's living in Florida and living good, big houses, expensive cars?

[bwpage3]

8 hours ago, ChrisKC said:

I am staying in Thailand as long as the decision remains mine, That is to say not decisions made by Government bodies that make my stay impossible rather than undesirable or more difficult, as perceived.

 

The situation for me is that I came to Thailand in 2003 for the weather, the lower cost of living and the people. Those basic criteria are still present and therefore no reason to think of leaving! The things that irritate me here are not enough to seek possible less irritation elsewhere.

 

Thailand can be Paradise or Hell dependent only on the style of thinking. It isn't Paradise for me but I am happy and contented here.

 

 

 

You moved to Thailand and 10,000+ Thai's moved to Florida taking over the big houses and expensive cars.

[BritManToo]

4 hours ago, Selatan said:

How many terrorist attacks committed by Muslims in the first 4 countries? Many. How many in Malaysia? Nearly none, and I do hope it remains so.

Assuming they're attacking white non-Muslims, hardly surprising there aren't many attacks in those countries.

[Blue bruce]

One of tne most interesting topics i have seen on Thai visa in awhile, many opinions. I personally have listed Portugal and Ecuador at number 1and Mexico at number 3. Just in case.

[wavodavo]

23 hours ago, ChristianBlessing said:

I just finished 11 years of living/working in Malaysia. I was treated exceptionally well for everyone of those years, by Malaysians of all ethnicities, including ethnic Malaysian, who happen to be Muslim. 

I have been to Malaysia and was treated very well by the locals.The only drama we had was the mongrel taxi drivers at the rank in Penang who refused to turn on their meter and they all quoted the same rip off price.

[Skallywag]

6 hours ago, Selatan said:

The 5 laws that you mentioned won't be a problem for you, right? I'm thankful that such laws exist to deter such acts. Can't stand any obscene drunkard singing away and making noise in the middle of the night.

True, yet Karaoke bars are very popular here in LOS.  Not harmful or annoying to others if in non-residential establishments, can be fun. 

Like they are outlawing fun! 

They allow "free speech" but not free singing?  And who decides what is "obscene"?

[griffon2011]

My wife and I lived on a cruising sailboat for 4 years in Mexico and much of the Caribbean.  Once you have the boat if you are physically fit and have some basic mechanical skills cruising can be a very pleasant experience and not too expensive if you stay out of the high end marinas.  I remember spending only $3 for some vegetables in a 3 week period in the Sea of Cortez.  Every day I speared groupers or dove for lobsters and clams.  I don't recall any immigration or customs issues the entire time including the several weeks we spent in Cuba (we are Americans). We met people well into their 70s who were cruising. It was the best 4 years of our lives.

[Mike Teavee]

3 hours ago, bwpage3 said:

You moved to Thailand and 10,000+ Thai's moved to Florida taking over the big houses and expensive cars.

What kind of Visa are the Thai's living in Florida on only as a Brit, I'd only be allowed to spend 6 months of the year there

[NanLaew]

11 hours ago, DaRoadrunner said:

19 hours ago, CMNightRider said:

It's easy to forget about moving to Malaysia, they have a Muslim infestation problem.

Could say the same for the UK.

Which is worse, the Muslim infestation or the white, Christian infection?

[thaibeachlovers]

On 11/5/2019 at 7:42 AM, Jingthing said:

Thailand is much less "liberal" with expats then previously and many people are feeling squeezed out or have already been pushed out by visa policy changes.

 

People are also looking to Spain, Portugal, and Eastern Europe. 

 

Expats leaving Thailand are mostly going to back to their home countries or other nations in Asia such as Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

 

If you're talking about Latin America, palm trees are an option but so are many other kinds of trees. As far as relative costs (like for like, like capital big cities to same, provincial cities to same, beach resorts to same) some places in Latin America are indeed more expensive than Thailand and some are less expensive.

 

I wouldn't focus on short term headlines in deciding whether a place is realistically safe for expats.

 

Of that list, I think these places remain reasonably OK choices:

Mexico -- where most American expats live, in the MILLIONS

Costa Rica

Panama 

Ecuador

Chile

Colombia

Uruguay

 

I would reject Argentina because of insanely high inflation. 

 

I'm sure that you would acknowledge that many expats moved to LOS for the availability of cheap sex with attractive boys and girls. Unless that option is available in the countries you note, it's not a choice for many.

I would suggest that if it was, we would not even be having this discussion.

 

[wwest5829]

8 hours ago, bwpage3 said:

How are you outpriced in America when there are over 10,000's of Thai's living in Florida and living good, big houses, expensive cars?

Wow! 10,000’s of Thai’s living in Florida ... Hmm, sorry but I would ask for your creditable source for such a statement before I could accept it as fact. Second, as your use of English grammar rules is not observed, it throws doubt on you being educated. Third, as you are showing “the black spot” of pirate fame as you ID, I further question your being serious. So, unless shown that You are real, you and your opinion are dismissed as not worthy of any more of my time. Oh ... and “Bless your Heart”.

[wwest5829]

20 hours ago, sniggie said:

And why not? My eight letters that were issued to me since my arrival in Thailand as a retiree were bona fide and issued against bank statements and letters from my three pension providers.  Why are all the other embassies different? I have my opinion on the matter, what's yours?

At the US Consulate in Chiang Mai I was only asked to swear or affirm that my income was what I wrote on the document. No financial documents have been required of me since I submitted documents in support of my application for a NON IMM O-A Visa to the Royal Thai Consulate in Chicago. That is until the Kingdom of Thailand Immigration stated that the Embassies check the veracity of the income we stated. I agree that it is not consistent with either the mission of the Embassy nor consistent with US law for the Embassy to carry out this requirement. I do not have any issue of presenting a Thai bank statement showing 12 monthly deposits of 65,000 baht.

[ThomasThBKK]

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I'm sure that you would acknowledge that many expats moved to LOS for the availability of cheap sex with attractive boys and girls. Unless that option is available in the countries you note, it's not a choice for many.

I would suggest that if it was, we would not even be having this discussion.

 

Speak for yourself, enough are married here, working or still young or simply don't care about that aspect....

[yellowboat]

On 11/5/2019 at 4:16 AM, madmen said:

Thats the problem as expats here keep harping on about visa changes when in fact the big damage was done by their embassies.

 

so lets keep it real, being pushed out because they dont have and never did have 800k or 65k

Why stay in one place when moving around might be cheaper and healthier?  Why stay in a place that judges you solely by the amount of money you have or are willing to part with for hassles and dual prices?   

 

I know a man who finally settled down in Siem Reap at 90 years old after decade of roaming around Asia.  He would live in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia.   He had the money for a Thai retirement visa but just felt staying in one place was dull.  The Cameron Highlands are nice during the summer.  Chiang Kong is good, if the air is not toxic, during the winter.  Roaming might be better for you.  Taiwan is not bad.  Get a feel for home grown Chinese representative government.  Asia is our oyster.  We should enjoy every bit of it.

 

Why should we spend money in a place full of people that judge us ?  

[essox essox]

On 11/5/2019 at 8:47 AM, BritManToo said:

I won't live anywhere I can't buy a bacon sandwich for breakfast.

Why not make your own, I do

[DaRoadrunner]

9 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Which is worse, the Muslim infestation or the white, Christian infection?

Wait till you have some Muslim neighbours.... you will find the answer

[JDGRUEN]

On 11/5/2019 at 3:16 AM, madmen said:

Thats the problem as expats here keep harping on about visa changes when in fact the big damage was done by their embassies.

 

so lets keep it real, being pushed out because they dont have and never did have 800k or 65k

You are misinformed. The big Embassies were told by Thai Immigration that they MUST verify each Expat's monthly income. The Embassies tried to explain the cost and complexities of verifying each and every income claim (and NO it is not simpke under Western Laws. Thai Immigration stiffed the Embassies - insisting that they must do as commanded. So the Embassies said - Sorry No Deal... 

 

[DaRoadrunner]

1 hour ago, yellowboat said:

Asia is our oyster.  We should enjoy every bit of it.

I am indeed taking your advice and enjoying the ‘oyster‘

Edited November 6, 2019 by DaRoadrunner

[DaRoadrunner]

19 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Retirement visas are very common in Latin America. Sometimes though it's a residence scheme not explicitly labelled retirement. If its a place there that you're interested in most likely they have it. Also common there are residence visas based on non pension income. As they tend to attract younger people they generally have higher required levels. 

Jingthing, thanks for all the interesting things on your S. American thread. However, since you are always writing positively about S. America, how come you are still here in Thailand on this forum?

[Jingthing]

3 minutes ago, DaRoadrunner said:

Jingthing, thanks for all the interesting things on your S. American thread. However, since you are always writing positively about S. America, how come you are still here in Thailand on this forum?

Oh geez. I've posted about this many many times already. Read that thread for your answer which you seem to claim to have read. Don't bother me again with such personal questions. Bye.