A friend of mine who has lived in and worked in Asia for 30 years has given up the corp life and has been trying to get into Thailand for the last few months, either on STV or Elite.  He has had enough of the nonsense that has been coming from TH in regards to requirements, hoops needed to jump through etc.

 

I followed up with him yesterday and he said he's all set on retirement visas in Bali for him and his wife.  4K USD total and a covid test 7 days before arriving.  

 

Maybe TH could learn a thing or two...........Maybe.

 

 

Indonesia ....  no thanks,  they hate farang worse than Thailand ...   lol

Are you trying to say that Thailand is not the most wonderful place on earth?  

 

Be very careful...you may ruffle some feathers!

6 minutes ago, steven100 said:

Indonesia ....  no thanks,  they hate farang worse than Thailand ...   lol

That's simply not true. Indonesians are some of the friendliest and welcoming people in SE Asia.

If he wants to retire in Thailand, could he hunker down and wait a few more months until Thailand becomes viable? There are many people, in many different situations, many probably more important cases than your friends retirement wanting to and needing to enter Thailand at the current time. First Thailand needs to get the business travelers back (easier to control than wholesale tourism), then they can concentrate on workable solutions for others wanting to enter.

 

Your friend has worked for 30 years, surely he can wait another 6 months or so if Thailand is his 1st choice rather than setting down roots in a country which is albeit a close second for retirement. He maybe living retired for 20+ years, so better to hold out and go where he really wants.

10 minutes ago, tonray said:

That's simply not true. Indonesians are some of the friendliest and welcoming people in SE Asia.

Then why do they burn the Australian and US & UK flags every so often then ,   funny way of friendly and welcoming ...   lol

32 minutes ago, smutcakes said:

If he wants to retire in Thailand, could he hunker down and wait a few more months until Thailand becomes viable? There are many people, in many different situations, many probably more important cases than your friends retirement wanting to and needing to enter Thailand at the current time. First Thailand needs to get the business travelers back (easier to control than wholesale tourism), then they can concentrate on workable solutions for others wanting to enter.

 

Your friend has worked for 30 years, surely he can wait another 6 months or so if Thailand is his 1st choice rather than setting down roots in a country which is albeit a close second for retirement. He maybe living retired for 20+ years, so better to hold out and go where he really wants.

Why hang in Singapore waiting, when you can go to Bali and wait?

Just now, steelepulse said:

Why hang in Singapore waiting, when you can go to Bali and wait?

Sure- I was more making the point if he is settling down long term for retirement, it may be better to wait a bit rather than start putting down roots and then want to move again.

 

If he wants to pay 4K to wait it out in Bali and get retirement visas there, thats good for him.

38 minutes ago, steven100 said:

Then why do they burn the Australian and US & UK flags every so often then ,   funny way of friendly and welcoming ...   lol

You make the mistake of associating the vast majority of the population with a handful of radical elements. Just as we shouldn't judge the UK by the covidiots protesting in the streets of London against wearing masks, or the USA due to Trumpsters planning a race war or kidnapping a Governor.

1 hour ago, steelepulse said:

I followed up with him yesterday and he said he's all set on retirement visas in Bali for him and his wife.  4K USD total and a covid test 7 days before arriving.

So, what type of visa, how long can he and the wife stay, what are the restrictions, what are the total costs.  I learned a long time ago that "there's no such thing as a free lunch."  Why is it so much better?  I.e., specifics.

1 hour ago, connda said:

So, what type of visa, how long can he and the wife stay, what are the restrictions, what are the total costs.  I learned a long time ago that "there's no such thing as a free lunch."  Why is it so much better?  I.e., specifics.

It sure looks like you get one year from everything I have seen.  Financial requirements that I saw are $1500/mo.  Feel free to do your own research though.

 

I posted in another thread about how for $500 you can get a business visa for 60 days, and with 4 monthly extensions, stay for up to 6 months.

 

https://www.balivisas.com/enter-indonesia-during-covid-19-pandemic/

9 hours ago, steelepulse said:

It sure looks like you get one year from everything I have seen.  Financial requirements that I saw are $1500/mo.  Feel free to do your own research though.

 

I posted in another thread about how for $500 you can get a business visa for 60 days, and with 4 monthly extensions, stay for up to 6 months.

 

https://www.balivisas.com/enter-indonesia-during-covid-19-pandemic/

Pre-Covid I had what I thought was a solid Plan-B.  Now I've got to reassess.  So, always interested in options.

On 10/9/2020 at 7:11 AM, steven100 said:

Indonesia ....  no thanks,  they hate farang worse than Thailand ...   lol

Have you lived there?

On 10/9/2020 at 7:19 AM, tonray said:

That's simply not true. Indonesians are some of the friendliest and welcoming people in SE Asia.

Agree 100% The people were great when I lived there for 6 years

Just now, lensta said:

Have you lived there?

And I might add he is likely not aware that the island of Bali is overwhelmingly Hindu vs the rest of Indonesia if that is what he's <deleted> about.

Just now, lensta said:

Agree 100% The people were great when I lived there for 6 years

I have met many Indonesians in my time living in Malaysia and the most welcoming and friendly folks you could run into

On 10/9/2020 at 7:58 AM, tonray said:

You make the mistake of associating the vast majority of the population with a handful of radical elements. Just as we shouldn't judge the UK by the covidiots protesting in the streets of London against wearing masks, or the USA due to Trumpsters planning a race war or kidnapping a Governor.

Just ignore him, he's just a brainless troll. Look at his posts and avitar

4 minutes ago, lensta said:

Just ignore him, he's just a brainless troll. Look at his posts and avitar

excuse me. I asked why do Indonesians burn flags if they are so welcoming and friendly.

They don't even go that far here in Thailand and they don't want foreigners either.

also,  learn to spell correctly. 

On 10/9/2020 at 7:58 AM, tonray said:

You make the mistake of associating the vast majority of the population with a handful of radical elements. Just as we shouldn't judge the UK by the covidiots protesting in the streets of London against wearing masks, or the USA due to Trumpsters planning a race war or kidnapping a Governor.

Thanks.

 

I dare to add that the burning flags are symbols of rejected (former?) imperialistic policies of these countries and not the rejection of their people.

 

And frankly, could we blame them, let's get back to our history books; Indonesia is one of the countries who suffered most from colonialism.

22 hours ago, steelepulse said:

I posted in another thread about how for $500 you can get a business visa for 60 days, and with 4 monthly extensions, stay for up to 6 months.

In this forum you get people going wild that they have to send in a notification every 90 days... no cost

11 minutes ago, steven100 said:

learn to spell correctly.

So a point about the pro's and con's of Bali (not the same as Indonesia) and Thailand descends into a spelling squabble. Says a lot about some of the replies and personal agendas.

Choosing Indonesia is like wanting to marry a beauty but settling for her ugly sister.  

On 10/9/2020 at 7:58 AM, tonray said:

You make the mistake of associating the vast majority of the population with a handful of radical elements. Just as we shouldn't judge the UK by the covidiots protesting in the streets of London against wearing masks, or the USA due to Trumpsters planning a race war or kidnapping a Governor.

Trumpeters planning a race war?

Really?

Or was it the other side always intent on stoking fires?

Bali a good low cost option for Aussies to wait out the covid Thailand madness. Assuming they are can exit oz, I know I can

On 10/9/2020 at 7:11 AM, steven100 said:

Indonesia ....  no thanks,  they hate farang worse than Thailand ...   lol

Its not true. 

 

Balinese are incredibly friendly to westerners. 

 

Even surrounding islands are friendly to us especially muslims. 

29 minutes ago, Boomer6969 said:

Thanks.

 

I dare to add that the burning flags are symbols of rejected (former?) imperialistic policies of these countries and not the rejection of their people.

 

And frankly, could we blame them, let's get back to our history books; Indonesia is one of the countries who suffered most from colonialism.

possibly,  but not forgetting Australia gives AUD$300mil in aid to Indonesia ....  

however, that may change ...

Officials in Jakarta plan to set aside $1 billion for the new Indonesian Agency for International Development by 2021, and distribute $60 million on foreign aid annually under the program.

Indonesia is Australia’s second largest aid recipient, receiving almost $300 million a year in aid in the 2019-2020 budget.

Tom Elliott called for Australia to end foreign aid to the neighbouring country immediately because of the aid program.

“Why on earth are we giving Australian taxpayers money to Indonesia, only for Indonesia to turn around and say ‘look, we actually don’t need that. We’re going to give it to other countries instead’?,’ the 3AW Drive host said.

“It is just ridiculous.

“We should cancel all aid to Indonesia immediately.

I think the majority of Indonesians or Balinese people are good and welcoming ..... it's the same as Thailand where you have pockets of extremists or regions where they dislike foreigners. Look at the island around Thailand, they rely heavily on tourists yet they despise them.  Is it that they consider the farang as an invader of there homeland and their privacy, and also they are resentful that farang has money and they are poor and the expat can afford to travel and take their photos like they are on show.  

On 10/9/2020 at 7:58 AM, tonray said:

You make the mistake of associating the vast majority of the population with a handful of radical elements. Just as we shouldn't judge the UK by the covidiots protesting in the streets of London against wearing masks, or the USA due to Trumpsters planning a race war or kidnapping a Governor.

I don't think it's a handful .   just saying.

Bali is virtually closed down No tourists and increasing number of infections .I would not want to go there .When i lived there it was booming but really unsafe.The Javanese come there to steal from the rich .Tell your friend to look at medical services too .Good luck  .

19 minutes ago, steven100 said:

possibly,  but not forgetting Australia gives AUD$300mil in aid to Indonesia ....  

however, that may change ...

Officials in Jakarta plan to set aside $1 billion for the new Indonesian Agency for International Development by 2021, and distribute $60 million on foreign aid annually under the program.

Indonesia is Australia’s second largest aid recipient, receiving almost $300 million a year in aid in the 2019-2020 budget.

Tom Elliott called for Australia to end foreign aid to the neighbouring country immediately because of the aid program.

“Why on earth are we giving Australian taxpayers money to Indonesia, only for Indonesia to turn around and say ‘look, we actually don’t need that. We’re going to give it to other countries instead’?,’ the 3AW Drive host said.

“It is just ridiculous.

“We should cancel all aid to Indonesia immediately.

I think it's because what does the Australian government shut down in exchange for its help?
Speaking of Australia which has decided to close in and out of its borders for the whole of 2021,  return to its history of prison country