Options to stay here in old age

[Clive]

I'm torn between retiring to the Philippines and Thailand, Thailand being my first choice for a number of reasons food and general quality of life and less poverty being just a couple. 

However one aspect that keeps cropping up in my mind is ease of stay here. 

Looking way into the future what options are open to foreigners who can't make it to the immigration office to renew their visa due to inability to walk/alzheimers or some other medical condition. 

I'd love to hear your views as a worse case scenario would be to be deported back to my home country not knowing anyone in a frail condition or not having all my faculties. 

Thank you

[BritManToo]

Philippines and Cambodia are far easier.

Cambodia $300/year VISA purchased from a local agent, no need to ever see Immigration.

Philippines free 1 year VISA if you marry a local girl (which you stated you intended to do in a sinsot thread).

 

I've never felt the Thai food is any better than that available in Cambodia or Philippines.

Cambodia I usually eat Indian, Philippines I usually eat Mexican.

I generally avoid local food in all the countries in which I've lived. 

Edited February 15, 2021 by BritManToo

[Andy from Kent]

Pretty much the main issue of remaining in Thailand is not being able to maintain the 28,000 Thai Baht in a bank account for the required amount of time.    Other  than that  issue, there really are few obstacles to remaining in  Thailand.

Quote

 

 

[timendres]

4 minutes ago, Clive said:

Looking way into the future what options are open to foreigners who can't make it to the immigration office to renew their visa due to inability to walk/alzheimers or some other medical condition. 

 

At this point, I would be much more concerned about the quality of the health care system, than dealing with immigration. In this regard, Thailand is a top choice in SEA.

[olfu]

Its matter of money not age or location.

[lopburi3]

8 minutes ago, Andy from Kent said:

Pretty much the main issue of remaining in Thailand is not being able to maintain the 28,000 Thai Baht in a bank account for the required amount of time.    Other  than that  issue, there really are few obstacles to remaining in  Thailand.

 

Was that supposed to be $28,000 USD?  The retirement stay requires 65k per month income or 800k in bank account or combination to meet 800k.  

[DoneTravelling]

20 minutes ago, timendres said:

 

At this point, I would be much more concerned about the quality of the health care system, than dealing with immigration. In this regard, Thailand is a top choice in SEA.

You really believe Thailand is tops in health, wow. Hospitals are fairly inept, private hospitals are just money grabbing. 

My wife had constant headaches, after a 10 minute consultation in a private hospital she was crying like crazy, the quack had told her she needed emergency brain surgery, it turned out she had blocked sinuses. Numerous other doctor stories I can tell.

Edited February 15, 2021 by DoneTravelling

[1FinickyOne]

If you qualify for the proper visa for you, then there are no visa issues... 

 

If you are ill, the doctors, I think issue a letter.. but accommodations are made... 

[Andy from Kent]

18 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

Was that supposed to be $28,000 USD?  The retirement stay requires 65k per month income or 800k in bank account or combination to meet 800k.  

 

Yes, Sir Eagle eyes.     You certainly caught my mistake.             But with  800K  THB left untouched in in a bank account in Thailand, I'd say the obstacles to remain in Thailand are generally within reason

Edited February 15, 2021 by Andy from Kent

[Freeduhdum]

Sounds like you're ready for one of these luxury resorts... ????

https://www.careresortchiangmai.com/

[Andy from Kent]

10 minutes ago, DoneTravelling said:

Numerous other doctor stories I can tell.

 

Let um' rip, please..

[lopburi3]

9 minutes ago, Andy from Kent said:

 

Yes, Sir Eagle eyes.     You certainly caught my mistake.             But with  800K  THB left untouched in in a bank account in Thailand, I'd say the obstacles to remain in Thailand are generally within reason

I suspect many in late years may die early if they are required to have that amount tied up full time without access for medical emergencies.  Even those with the best insurance may require short term access.  And frequent change in what is asked by different offices/officers can be a nightmare for those without access to help (family), so believe OP has valid concerns.  

[DoneTravelling]

2 minutes ago, Andy from Kent said:

 

Let um' rip, please..

1. Motorcycle accident,  was x rayed told no issues I can go home, in the end it turned out I had 4 broken ribs and  fractured femur. Insurance company sued the private hospital and won.

2. I had constant pain in my left arm, could not hold a glass or anything, numerous private and govt hospitals all suggested massage. Finally had an MRI in Afghanistan which showed trapped nerves in my spine. Seven injections into my spine while in Dubai solved the problem.

3. Wife had constant pains in groin area, numerous hospitals examined and found nothing, last Quack in Sirirat hosp told me to take her to see a psychiatrist as she is making it up. Finally she was diagnosed with a hernia.

 

Enough said.

 

[Freeduhdum]

Best option is the expensive one. If you can pop for the 20 year Elite visa, 1,000,000 baht, Thai Elite staff generally handle the renewals for you. Why not, otherwise you have to keep 800,000 in the bank anyway for the annual renewal. Then hire a private nursing assistant to regularly care for your needs at your own home/condo. Your home should be near to hospitals that you have investigated for yourself as a rural location is not a good idea if you have medical needs. 

[connda]

In The PI you'll have both a path to residency as well as the ability to buy into the PI social medicine program.  The naysayers will downplay it all but all you need is to be in an economic downturn and a whole lot of expats who think they are going to be able to stay in Thailand will end up getting the boot: retired, married, with children and families, or otherwise. 
The PI may not have the same bells and whistles Thailand has - but you have the security to live out you life without the Immigration version of the Sword of Damocles hanging over your head as you process your annual "temporary stay" to visit the wife you've been married to for 20 year or reside in the condo you sunk you retirement savings into. 
The PI actually like the money you bring into the country.  Thailand on the other hand could care less about the money you bring in or your Thai family.  You'll always be one year away from getting the boot and shown the door - if not IDC prison.  Imagine having a stroke and then being tossed into IDC to waste away in your own excrement.  And neither the Thai government or your government will give a ****.

[Jingthing]

4 minutes ago, Freeduhdum said:

Best option is the expensive one. If you can pop for the 20 year Elite visa, 1,000,000 baht, Thai Elite staff generally handle the renewals for you. Why not, otherwise you have to keep 800,000 in the bank anyway for the annual renewal. Then hire a private nursing assistant to regularly care for your needs at your own home/condo. Your home should be near to hospitals that you have investigated for yourself as a rural location is not a good idea if you have medical needs. 

Is that really true? The Elite staff actually do take care of annual extensions if you are in Thailand at the time? I'm skeptical about that assertion. Can people credibly back that up with some kind of evidence? 

[Jingthing]

Colombia is even better. A direct path to permanent residence and/or citizenship if you want in 5 years. Required entry into the well rated private/public health care system at a set rate based on your pension. The same rate whether you're 18 or 85, all conditions accepted.

[Freeduhdum]

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Is that really true? The Elite staff actually do take care of annual extensions if you are in Thailand at the time? I'm skeptical about that assertion. Can people credibly back that up with some kind of evidence? 

FAQ's Thai Elite... 

The Member is entitled a special five (5)-year multiple entry VISA with automatic approval of one (1) year stay. The Member doesn’t need to leave Thailand and get back again to extend the length of his or her stay rather he or she should pay just extension fee (1900 THB) as stated in the Thai Immigration and train Service duty charges.

https://thailandelitevisa.com/faqs/

[Jingthing]

4 minutes ago, Freeduhdum said:

FAQ's Thai Elite... 

The Member is entitled a special five (5)-year multiple entry VISA with automatic approval of one (1) year stay. The Member doesn’t need to leave Thailand and get back again to extend the length of his or her stay rather he or she should pay just extension fee (1900 THB) as stated in the Thai Immigration and train Service duty charges.

https://thailandelitevisa.com/faqs/

That is NOT the proof I asked for. A post suggested the Elite company takes care of the extensions for you. Like going to immigration for you like an AGENT might. They really don't do that, do they?

[Don Chance]

Might look into Ecuador. You can buy a piece of property for 50k, then you can get residency. Universal heath care is $70 a month for everyone. Different climates to choose.

[Freeduhdum]

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

That is NOT the proof I asked for. A post suggested the Elite company takes care of the extensions for you. Like going to immigration for you like an AGENT might. They really don't do that, do they?

I cannot give you proof. I have read here in the Thai Visa forums that the Elite staff handle the paperwork for you and do the 90 day reportings for you as well... Here is another source for this...

https://www.expatden.com/thailand/thailand-elite-visa-review/?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=5ab2b58a3441c06bc889a20a0b38d5e081d1c56d-1613388645-0-AcC5-A9uejPPd9FFHpvUuZdYQP_JYerm3O6styMnsAskE2ZzuWfQ_qVySN89Br9q_LKRcuwuFfzOC_iBBm0roiAm1Hj8HUYLZtwmqoSk5YTh--K6YzP-TfhhYsNF7-J68fO1oMVfdFgIiSKj3mQpLvRxdeRP-THNnKjocN4eCnxBXet1e5VtZGUHOICfgkky92iwWgskgaPQWL4c6K2zdjVYTMH-j-RwfeSq241Muxfl_ict4gXOO24CiZNuElO0KbLitjOG_NSYiN2TpFTU77vqAvoNUwXinSRUWDFb_z7DQo3cvMRkbYmry75bKyDZYsMhh0xF4xbvEre_5_VNPLVVO8aZrUlbAMDZYvuSySV6_Sygr2-keLjHblhlJKsNC6Mt_YN1VV5Eb3n4ySHf6C1LP7igfT4uRCiaEjaZQJzms-PLAQpcwPn72sqbQMwiXaOn9nCigxoJ-NTtDTn0RfqpqA_7UB8PUAQ8aNElsOY8lTMWW59waVvH9FXe1XYFzCKX-yaMqbtMnXPsH6qk_OWAWmpVkk3cVBE4hR2QqRY09nbQFglTtsGXdB7fo3mUXgSIY4Emq-8vf7wMA92NW60

[Freeduhdum]

1 minute ago, Don Chance said:

Might look into Ecuador. You can buy a piece of property for 50k, then you can get residency. Universal heath care is $70 a month for everyone. Different climates to choose.

I have a friend in Panama... he says it is a breeze their and he owns land. I don't have any more details however. 

[ThaIrish Sean]

1 hour ago, Clive said:

I'm torn between retiring to the Philippines and Thailand, Thailand being my first choice for a number of reasons food and general quality of life and less poverty being just a couple. 

However one aspect that keeps cropping up in my mind is ease of stay here. 

Looking way into the future what options are open to foreigners who can't make it to the immigration office to renew their visa due to inability to walk/alzheimers or some other medical condition. 

I'd love to hear your views as a worse case scenario would be to be deported back to my home country not knowing anyone in a frail condition or not having all my faculties. 

Thank you

I feel a lot safer in Thailand than the Philippines.

The good thing about the Philippines is the UK has a reciprocating agreement with regard to pensions, so your pension increases as it would in the United Kingdom. If you retire to Thailand it is frozen the day you leave.

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, Don Chance said:

Might look into Ecuador. You can buy a piece of property for 50k, then you can get residency. Universal heath care is $70 a month for everyone. Different climates to choose.

Sure, but watch out. Ecuador will require a police record report from Thailand if you've been living here and it has a short expiration date. As the immigration processes tend to take a very long time there, it would be super easy for your Thai document to expire before it's done. They have ZERO flexibility on such documents and they want everything apostilled or it's alternative (Thailand is not in that treaty). Also the public/private health care system in Colombia is rated much higher than Ecuador. 

[Jingthing]

5 minutes ago, Freeduhdum said:

I cannot give you proof. I have read here in the Thai Visa forums that the Elite staff handle the paperwork for you and do the 90 day reportings for you as well... Here is another source for this...

https://www.expatden.com/thailand/thailand-elite-visa-review/?__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=5ab2b58a3441c06bc889a20a0b38d5e081d1c56d-1613388645-0-AcC5-A9uejPPd9FFHpvUuZdYQP_JYerm3O6styMnsAskE2ZzuWfQ_qVySN89Br9q_LKRcuwuFfzOC_iBBm0roiAm1Hj8HUYLZtwmqoSk5YTh--K6YzP-TfhhYsNF7-J68fO1oMVfdFgIiSKj3mQpLvRxdeRP-THNnKjocN4eCnxBXet1e5VtZGUHOICfgkky92iwWgskgaPQWL4c6K2zdjVYTMH-j-RwfeSq241Muxfl_ict4gXOO24CiZNuElO0KbLitjOG_NSYiN2TpFTU77vqAvoNUwXinSRUWDFb_z7DQo3cvMRkbYmry75bKyDZYsMhh0xF4xbvEre_5_VNPLVVO8aZrUlbAMDZYvuSySV6_Sygr2-keLjHblhlJKsNC6Mt_YN1VV5Eb3n4ySHf6C1LP7igfT4uRCiaEjaZQJzms-PLAQpcwPn72sqbQMwiXaOn9nCigxoJ-NTtDTn0RfqpqA_7UB8PUAQ8aNElsOY8lTMWW59waVvH9FXe1XYFzCKX-yaMqbtMnXPsH6qk_OWAWmpVkk3cVBE4hR2QqRY09nbQFglTtsGXdB7fo3mUXgSIY4Emq-8vf7wMA92NW60

You've posted a false assertion which I strongly suspected. 

I think they do help with 90 day reports if you live in Bangkok only. 

The visa assistance in that link is about the ORIGINAL Elite visa.

I don't see any mention of them actually taking for of the ANNUAL EXTENSIONS if you're in Thailand when they are due. If you aren't in Thailand when they are due, you don't need to do them at all, that is true.
So you're basic assertion is just wrong.

For me it would be a strong feature if I didn't need to do 90 day reports or annual extensions in Thailand. But living in Pattaya, NOPE.

Edited February 15, 2021 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

8 minutes ago, Freeduhdum said:

I have a friend in Panama... he says it is a breeze their and he owns land. I don't have any more details however. 

Panama is a good option but quite expensive in the Panama City region. There isn't a national health care system for expats so their stuck with expensive private insurance with underwriting policies (as in Thailand).

[lopburi3]

27 minutes ago, Freeduhdum said:

Best option is the expensive one. If you can pop for the 20 year Elite visa, 1,000,000 baht, Thai Elite staff generally handle the renewals for you

The link you provided says the cost is 2,000,000 baht (or 1.5 million to upgrade if you already paid the 600k for 5 year option).  

[Freeduhdum]

2 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

The link you provided says the cost is 2,000,000 baht (or 1.5 million to upgrade if you already paid the 600k for 5 year option).  

There are many options... I find this one the best option. 
Elite Superiority Extension

• Membership validity of 20 years
• It costs 1 million Thai baht with no annual fee
• The Elite Visa validity of 5 years and renewable for another 5 years

[lopburi3]

10 minutes ago, Freeduhdum said:

There are many options... I find this one the best option. 
Elite Superiority Extension

• Membership validity of 20 years
• It costs 1 million Thai baht with no annual fee
• The Elite Visa validity of 5 years and renewable for another 5 years

Strange as 5+5 would equal 10 to most of us.  So does that mean you are a member but can not stay in Thailand for the other 10 years?

[Freeduhdum]

No I am not a member... This explains as good as anywhere else. Benjamin Hart Attorney here in Thailand. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zQvoQ6nrkwain