Bigger cause of expats leaving...

[rumak]

1 minute ago, The Man Who Sold the World said:

and will also use them for insurance

and that's why Thailand is still great.   SO MUCH cheaper to get around the "rules" than in more civilized (re: more expensive to buy influence) countries. 

[david555]

Just now, DannyCarlton said:

I make that 566,666k.

I just estimated it in feeling , so even more  how did you came to that result ?

[DannyCarlton]

12 minutes ago, david555 said:

I just estimated it in feeling , so even more  how did you came to that result ?

400kx10+400kx7=400kx17=6,800,000. 6,800,000/12=566,666 baht average.

[madmen]

So most expats have a NON OA ? what total nonsense

[david555]

19 minutes ago, DannyCarlton said:

400kx10+400kx7=400kx17=6,800,000. 6,800,000/12=566,666 baht average.

I took 

5x800=4000

7x400= 2800

? made a head calculating error ,????

6800 /12 =566,666  

????

Edited November 22, 2019 by david555

[Denim]

Not enough options to vote on.

 

Not everybody over 50 is on a retirement visa.

 

The increasingly hot weather will force me out before anything else.

 

Just had my second skin cancer cut out for a thousand dollars and don't fancy a third.

[fourpack]

A micro amount of people actually use this site so any poll is not reflecting the actual full expat community.

Most I speak to love it here the ones that don't are the vocal minority of all things bad about Expats.

I never say we'll leave then as that's what there waiting for. Rather I say take stock of your situation you are in charge of your own destiny.

If you can't navigate around a few hurdles with ease look to another pastime.

[Dumbastheycome]

3 hours ago, saengd said:

We hope not, we're getting married this week.

 

And by contrast to the post above, I know lots of people here who are retired on O-A's using retirement as the purpose.

I am  one  of those. Originally  deliberately so  because  less drama  for  myself  and  Immigration even though  formally  married  at   outset.

The  disruption and confusion  this  new edict is having  on  Thai  families involving foreigners is of  no apparent concern to the  self important  initiator/s !

Ok. I, at this  time,  can  change  my status/cause  for  further  extensions on the  basis  of  marriage instead of  retirement. But that will  create yet another cost  in the process  not so much to myself  but to  Immigration  due to the  methodology of home visits  for  verification   ect .

The  "Insurers" win.

 of   currency input  in support  of  family well in excess of  the   pathetic  argued  deficiency  of  500 million attributed  to  long stayers! And at that  point   even the  assumed  "lucrative" take  by  Insurers  would  be reduced.

Somebody  has  sold a sick  pup to Thailand.

 

 

[sunnyboy2018]

4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I have seen some out there threads on TV.

This is up there.

1. Is incorrect. I'm over 50 on extensions no insurance.

2. Why would they not already be living here? 

3. That word again IFFFFFF.

4. Take the scaremongering somewhere else. 

Think this thread might last a limited time.

Not factual. Good topic for pub forum

Scare mongers function as an arm of the oppressive state. Falsehoods,  lies, exaggerations,  rumours .... scaremongering and tittle tattle

[sunnyboy2018]

41 minutes ago, fourpack said:

A micro amount of people actually use this site so any poll is not reflecting the actual full expat community.

Most I speak to love it here the ones that don't are the vocal minority of all things bad about Expats.

I never say we'll leave then as that's what there waiting for. Rather I say take stock of your situation you are in charge of your own destiny.

If you can't navigate around a few hurdles with ease look to another pastime.

Well said

[metisdead]

Some inflammatory posts have been removed. 

[BoBoTheClown]

Best of luck to everyone. 

Edited November 22, 2019 by BoBoTheClown

[Toadie]

It's a combination of both. Up until now there has been work arounds with the finances, agents / under counter, whatever.

 

Health insurance, while it makes logical sense (with right insurers!), sooner or later needs to be applied to all. Once that happens well the work arounds crash.

 

Which will impact more expats leaving. Think of it as whether its the horse first or cart first.... then both are spinning 360 down the highway.

[WhatupThailand]

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

What I find interesting in many of these threads is that people talk about leaving Thailand because this and that is bad.

But it seems many of the people who leave somehow think that in all new destinations all will be better.

Maybe it's easier to get a long term visa or residency in country x y or z. But how about all the rest?

 

How about the language? Would you i.e. move to Cambodia without knowing the language? Sure, it's possible to learn it. But that takes time. And I am sure there are lots of things different over there. Or do you think English is good enough to communicate with the locals?

And similar in other countries. It's easy to say: I will move to somewhere else. But how easy is it to live happy in another country which some of those people who want to move possibly never visited before?

 

I know, Thailand is not perfect. But I am irritated when lots of people seem to thing all will be so much nicer in this new country - which they basically don't know.

 

Or how many of you have detailed knowledge, experience, and possibly contacts in your new destination? 

I think it would be Much the SAME as when I came to Thailand the first time.

Back when Thailand was more like all the other SEA nations, and what they are like now.

 

It would be like a Do Over, in a more reasonable, and no none sense, location.

Just another Learning Adventure in Life, without all the Time and Money Scams,

being Forced upon those, who for the most part, Have tried to be Law abiding,

and Positive members of Thailand.

 

I have never "Eaten" off a Thai, and have payed all my debts, including several large Medical Bills.

But have never received any recognition or benefit, from any part of Thai Government for this.

And I am not asking for anything now, Except to be treated fairly, and not like a pending criminal.

 

Of course I do accept the fact, that because I decided to build a Retirement life here,

and Made a Family, Home, and all that goes with that, I assumed that Thailand, would take note,

and make it easier and less stressful, in the coming years, that is my fault.

 

However I never thought, that Thailand would regress, into more of an Unwelcome Host.

Adding more and more Red Tape, Banking, and now Insurance, Hoops to jump through.

 

As I am now 75, and no chance to get reasonable Insurance, much less at a affordable cost.

I am forced to consider an alternate retirement location, Never mind the breakup of Family,

assets, and the general chaos caused to my life, Due to these STUPID Biased Rules.

 

I can only submit and move, While Praying Karma upon the Heads of those responsible.

 

 

 

 

[Odysseus123]

5 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

What I find interesting in many of these threads is that people talk about leaving Thailand because this and that is bad.

But it seems many of the people who leave somehow think that in all new destinations all will be better.

Maybe it's easier to get a long term visa or residency in country x y or z. But how about all the rest?

 

How about the language? Would you i.e. move to Cambodia without knowing the language? Sure, it's possible to learn it. But that takes time. And I am sure there are lots of things different over there. Or do you think English is good enough to communicate with the locals?

And similar in other countries. It's easy to say: I will move to somewhere else. But how easy is it to live happy in another country which some of those people who want to move possibly never visited before?

 

I know, Thailand is not perfect. But I am irritated when lots of people seem to thing all will be so much nicer in this new country - which they basically don't know.

 

Or how many of you have detailed knowledge, experience, and possibly contacts in your new destination? 

 Good post, however in my experience most leavers just quietly fold their tents and go back to their home countries-at least that is what I and four others in my area did.

[moontang]

3 hours ago, sunnyboy2018 said:

Scare mongers function as an arm of the oppressive state. Falsehoods,  lies, exaggerations,  rumours .... scaremongering and tittle tattle

Notice I rarely post in this forum, where most are whining about TM30..complied three years ago, never a problem since.  While many more are whining about the 800k...had mine here at age 42.  And obtained yellow book four years ago, without buying a house for a prossie.  So now some clowns are accusing me of scaremongering..while a few posted 100 tearful times about being forced to deal with an agent, because they didn't have the resources to obtain a Visa good for two years before they arrived...and even more are simply touts for Visa agents...of which I have not used in 22 years of trips here..Now, that I am within two months of an extension, I am attempting to get to the bottom of the situation, as I have always been 100% legal.  And, yes, there are credible reports that my local IO, which has been 10 times better than CM, is indeed requiring the proof of insurance.  

 

There is no denying people are hitting the exits.  Exchange rate might even be number one.  Obviously way fewer Euro and Oz here.  But, meanwhile, there is so much empathy for posters on here, denied and rejected, telling their stories with thick Russian and middle eastern accents..but they had a Canadian passport...Meanwhile, I try to compare notes and survey the situation, and I am scaremongering?  

Edited November 22, 2019 by moontang

[oldhippy]

5 minutes ago, moontang said:

Notice I rarely post in this forum, where most are whining about TM30..complied three years ago, never a problem since.  While many more are whining about the 800k...had mine here at age 42.  And obtained yellow book four years ago, without buying a house for a prossie.  So now some clowns are accusing me of scaremongering..while a few posted 100 tearful times about being forced to deal with an agent, because they didn't have the resources to obtain a Visa good for two years before they arrived...and even more are simply touts for Visa agents...of which I have not used in 22 years of trips here..Now, that I am within two months of an extension, I am attempting to get to the bottom of the situation, as I have always been 100% legal.  And, yes, there are credible reports that my local IO, which has been 10 times better than CM, is indeed requiring the proof of insurance.  

 

There is no denying people are hitting the exits.  Exchange rate might even be number one.  Obviously way fewer Euro and Oz here.  But, meanwhile, there is so much empathy for posters on here, denied and rejected, telling their stories with thick Russian and middle eastern accents..but they had a Canadian passport...Meanwhile, I try to compare notes and survey the situation, and I am scaremongering?  

quote: telling their stories with thick Russian and middle eastern accents..but they had a Canadian passport

 

Are you referring to a previous racist post of yours (that got deleted)?

[Odysseus123]

It certainly is a strange kettle of fish but it has been an overpowering meme ever since I started reading TV in early 2016. Apparently anyone who makes a sound and rational decision to depart or even has an affection for their home countries are to be berated as if we have all been super-glued in place, altho' sometimes the glue stretches as far as the 4 other authoritarian states in the region.

 

In my case the decision was based on deteriorating health and ever-rising health insurance premiums.The strong baht was also factored in tho' it was not my primary concern at the time.

 

Nevertheless I retain a strong affection for the mysterious and exotic East-I just dont want to "hustle" it anymore..????

Edited November 22, 2019 by Odysseus123

[moontang]

37 minutes ago, Odysseus123 said:

It certainly is a strange kettle of fish but it has been an overpowering meme ever since I started reading TV in early 2016. Apparently anyone who makes a sound and rational decision to depart or even has an affection for their home countries are to be berated as if we have all been super-glued in place, altho' sometimes the glue stretches as far as the 4 other authoritarian states in the region.

 

In my case the decision was based on deteriorating health and ever-rising health insurance premiums.The strong baht was also factored in tho' it was not my primary concern at the time.

 

Nevertheless I retain a strong affection for the mysterious and exotic East-I just dont want to "hustle" it anymore..????

Fair enough.  I have seen the writing on the wall that at 65, the psuedo free plan in the States is better than anything here, and will be 10 years from now, when I am eligible.  Many old expats did not see it that way, and it could be that the new requirement is aimed right at them, as opposed to the numerous Evil Knevals we read about.  Most of them died pretty fast.  But, it will indeed be interesting times for some of the 80+ group, required to buy insurance from companies that won't sell to them...Catch 22.

Edited November 22, 2019 by moontang

[garyk]

8 hours ago, wgdanson said:

800k will not get you very far in a private Thai hospital in the case of a coronary or stroke or accident.

Actually in a private hospital in Thailand, you might as well go home and get treated. Same price.

When I was there I had a friend working in a private hospital and she used to tell me the prices.

Insane for Thailand.

When I was living there I had many stayes in a government hospital. I never had any problems with them and cheeeeeep.

 

 

[garyk]

Thailand is all right,  just not worth the nonsense to live their full time for me.

But, I will still visit from time to time. My next hop is the Philippines. 

 

Personally I will not give 800K to live and spend my money their. 

Hell I am already spending and supporting the locals, ain't my job to support the government.

[mstevens]

I think that after a few years in country some of us realise that the Thailand dream is not a dream at all. It isn't a nightmare or anything like that but we just come to see more clearly how our homeland isn't bad, and actually beats Thailand in many ways. I enjoyed Thailand for years but reached a point where I just missed home.

 

It wasn't one thing but a bunch of stuff like the peace of mind that of living on your own country and knowing I will never have a visa problem, will never be hassled by police, have free high-quality medical care available should I need it, have fresh air to breathe year-round....and so on. Thailand was great for a while....and it helped me to realise how much I missed home.

[oldhippy]

15 minutes ago, mstevens said:

I think that after a few years in country some of us realise that the Thailand dream is not a dream at all. It isn't a nightmare or anything like that but we just come to see more clearly how our homeland isn't bad, and actually beats Thailand in many ways. I enjoyed Thailand for years but reached a point where I just missed home.

 

It wasn't one thing but a bunch of stuff like the peace of mind that of living on your own country and knowing I will never have a visa problem, will never be hassled by police, have free high-quality medical care available should I need it, have fresh air to breathe year-round....and so on. Thailand was great for a while....and it helped me to realise how much I missed home.

I agree, but I would substitute "my own country" by "Europe".

[saengd]

43 minutes ago, mstevens said:

I think that after a few years in country some of us realise that the Thailand dream is not a dream at all. It isn't a nightmare or anything like that but we just come to see more clearly how our homeland isn't bad, and actually beats Thailand in many ways. I enjoyed Thailand for years but reached a point where I just missed home.

 

It wasn't one thing but a bunch of stuff like the peace of mind that of living on your own country and knowing I will never have a visa problem, will never be hassled by police, have free high-quality medical care available should I need it, have fresh air to breathe year-round....and so on. Thailand was great for a while....and it helped me to realise how much I missed home.

Very true....but then again, there's the weather, I couldn't imagine living in the UK in January, doesn't bear thinking about!

[garyk]

45 minutes ago, mstevens said:

I think that after a few years in country some of us realise that the Thailand dream is not a dream at all. It isn't a nightmare or anything like that but we just come to see more clearly how our homeland isn't bad, and actually beats Thailand in many ways. I enjoyed Thailand for years but reached a point where I just missed home.

 

It wasn't one thing but a bunch of stuff like the peace of mind that of living on your own country and knowing I will never have a visa problem, will never be hassled by police, have free high-quality medical care available should I need it, have fresh air to breathe year-round....and so on. Thailand was great for a while....and it helped me to realise how much I missed home.

Exactly, What ever you do don't burn your bridges in your home country. 

Edited November 22, 2019 by garyk

[Trolleen]

Anyway when people moved to Thailand they do not know Thai language. Same thing happen when they go to New country.

Second thing . Thailand became much more expensive than Vietnam Cambodia Malaysia.

For 6 months ago one kg lam shoulder 380 baht. Today 570 baht .Marko.

Motorbike one year ago Yamaha 115 one year ago 49.000 .  Today 59.00

Medical care cost much more than few years ago.

Pollution. Dirty Sandy landscape in north east.

Overwhelming amount of cars on road.

Crazy immigration rules. Nowhere in the world people gets only one year visa when they marry.

It very easy to move to other country if you are not old and broken. Very easy to find new wife if you are not fat agly and broken.

I been many country in the world . And I tell you people get get easy retire in Panama and Costa Rica if the have pension 1000 USA dollar per month. Cost of living much lower than Thailand. 

I know one man like you I call him vegetable. He afraid of everything. Just seats in his home and look tv.

[Pravda]

Just like financial crisis it will be something totally unrelated to those 2 silly items. 

[scubascuba3]

12 hours ago, wgdanson said:

800k will not get you very far in a private Thai hospital in the case of a coronary or stroke or accident.

So the mandatory 400k insurance cover for OA is worthless? the answer is yes

[Saltire]

15 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

What I find interesting in many of these threads is that people talk about leaving Thailand because this and that is bad.

But it seems many of the people who leave somehow think that in all new destinations all will be better.

Maybe it's easier to get a long term visa or residency in country x y or z. But how about all the rest?

 

How about the language? Would you i.e. move to Cambodia without knowing the language? Sure, it's possible to learn it. But that takes time. And I am sure there are lots of things different over there. Or do you think English is good enough to communicate with the locals?

And similar in other countries. It's easy to say: I will move to somewhere else. But how easy is it to live happy in another country which some of those people who want to move possibly never visited before?

 

I know, Thailand is not perfect. But I am irritated when lots of people seem to thing all will be so much nicer in this new country - which they basically don't know.

 

Or how many of you have detailed knowledge, experience, and possibly contacts in your new destination? 

Some good points. I lived hapily in Cambodia for 5 years before I came here 3 years ago. I am happy here too but am wary about 'what's next'. At 64 and 9 months I am on the cusp of having a future insurance issue. I have a good UK policy but also have 2 or 3 pre-existing conditions, so Thai companies may refuse me if the requirement suddenly applies to Non O extensions. 

 

My plan B is back to Siem Reap, but i'd need to figure out an appropriate long-stay visa for my Thai wife.

[ICELANDMAN]

12 hours ago, Denim said:

Not enough options to vote on.

 

Not everybody over 50 is on a retirement visa.

 

The increasingly hot weather will force me out before anything else.

 

Just had my second skin cancer cut out for a thousand dollars and don't fancy a third.

I agree, is not only A and B the question needs more articulate. Not forget big pollution, very dangerous roads, expansive cost living growing year after year and repressive government again population increase instability future, for ageing farangs on a search for peace and security, Thailand is anymore a country for retirement.