Thailand suffers sharp fall in rankings of best countries for retirement

[CaptainCarrot]

The cost of living values bear no relation to my requirements! (Figures for a mid range bottle of wine from numbeo.com). Indonesia - Malaysia - Thailand all in the same bracket of ultra high tax.

[dbrenn]

18 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

 

So it's safe to assume no examples of lost freedoms in Thailand are forthcoming.

What a strange and verbose way you have of asking a simple question.

 

Visa rule tightening is one example. When I first arrived, people were living forever on tourist visas, now they are no longer free to do so. There are other examples, too numerous to list, some of them you might agree with, other not. 

[ChrisKC]

I don't decry this information but it is only statistics. Would you move to the other side of the world to find that there were plenty of things you didn't like?

 

In fact, I came to Thailand only three times before making a decision to stay (since 2003) and did many things relating to researching what life might be like.

 

In reality, I have been fortunate that, in spite so many aspects of that research falling well short of what I imagined; the good, the bad and the ugly,  I remain happy with my decision.

 

Won't be moving to Costa Rica or anywhere else.

 

Better the devil I know??

[dbrenn]

2 minutes ago, ChrisKC said:

I don't decry this information but it is only statistics. Would you move to the other side of the world to find that there were plenty of things you didn't like?

 

In fact, I came to Thailand only three times before making a decision to stay (since 2003) and did many things relating to researching what life might be like.

 

In reality, I have been fortunate that, in spite so many aspects of that research falling well short of what I imagined; the good, the bad and the ugly,  I remain happy with my decision.

 

Won't be moving to Costa Rica or anywhere else.

 

Better the devil I know??

Wise words, and I'm glad you're relatively content with your lot.

[micmichd]

On 3/6/2021 at 3:26 PM, Banana7 said:

Finally, everyone is waking up to Thailand is not a great place for a foreigner to retire.

 

The weather is nice, the ladies can be friendly,, and food is delicious. But immigration policies, double pricing foreigner versus Thai, lack of freedom of expression, arbitrary arrests, intimidation, lèse-majesté charges, harassment of activists, and many many other issues.

As compared to Germany (where I - as an unmarried orphan come from) Thailand is better than my so-called cold "home-country", at least the so-called "dark side of Pattaya" is. 

[T Lee]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Something for Prayut & Co to think about.

But then who would operate the submarines?

[RemyDog]

15 minutes ago, T Lee said:

Something for Prayut & Co to think about. -But then who would operate the submarines?

You think too much.

[Bobydog]

On 3/6/2021 at 6:27 PM, colinneil said:

No need to wonder why Thailand has fallen in the rankings, just look at the clowns supposedly running the place, like Anutin, his comments about dirty farangs are sure to help.

Last few years there has been a surge in anti farang comments/ actions, anybody now thinking of somewhere to retire will not even consider here.

On top of everything else, why would you even consider retiring in a Country that also refers to you as "Aliens".  Day after day of baseless propaganda and stupid plans to put dollars in the pockets of the rich and infamous who's only motivation is to continue to live well. These same people will allow the Chinese to take over and then it is really over if that is allowed to happen.

[Sailboat32223]

One thing missing on the chart, crime. If your not involved in illegal activities your much safer in Thailand then Costa Rica.

[itsari]

On 3/6/2021 at 4:06 PM, Pilotman said:

Well I am sure that they are not at all disappointed with this.  I think that we are definitely seen as an unwanted 'burden' on Thailand rather than any kind of advantage.  I have thought for a long time that there is a half hidden policy to phase we retired people out over the next few years.  As more of us here die off, they will make it increasingly difficult for up coming retirees to settle here.  Their loss in the end. 

Reality is difficult to be precise on the subject you raise . Covid 19  has made the Thai authorities  know full well  that foreigners do contribute to the Thai economy .  They need all the foreigners that they can muster right now to avoid financial embarrassment .

[Gandtee]

On 3/6/2021 at 2:50 PM, colinneil said:

You ask how he spends so much.... Well it could be, girls, girls, and more girls, plus buying loads of Viagra.????????????????????

And the rest he wasted,????

[mikeymike100]

On 3/6/2021 at 7:08 AM, Fromas said:

Thailand is a great country, but some of her policies for expats are bureaucratic obstacle courses.

 

 

Thailand was a great country! Certainly agree the Governments policies and over the top bureaucracy has made it much less attractive to retirees!

[itsari]

56 minutes ago, dbrenn said:

What a strange and verbose way you have of asking a simple question.

 

Visa rule tightening is one example. When I first arrived, people were living forever on tourist visas, now they are no longer free to do so. There are other examples, too numerous to list, some of them you might agree with, other not. 

reality on tourist visas have not changed . Do some research before you make comments

[vangrop]

23 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

 

I don't really understand it.  Retirees seem almost like a passive income.  Just X amount of money coming in each month being spent in Thailand, Thai women taken care of, Thai children raised.

 

Is it simply racism?  Or the not wanting to be seen as having to rely on the West for anything?

it is stupidity

[thailand49]

On 3/5/2021 at 11:27 PM, Orton Rd said:

why do you think it's great?

The standard of Great isn't what it use to be?  I would never use the word Great based on my own standards when it comes to Thailand it is just O.K., good but Great?

[Led Lolly Yellow Lolly]

4 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

 

If you're working for a company, how is it you have trouble with immigration? In the twenty years I worked here I don't think I ever went to immigration, and only went to the One-Stop 8-10 times.

 

Since I retired, I've been going to immigration, it it does not seem like that much of a hassle.

 

Where are you going all the time where you have to pay ten-times what the locals pay? 

 

 

 

If you have to ask me where I'm going to pay 10 times more than the locals I would question your assertation you've been here as long as you say you have.
 

I didn't say I'm having trouble with immigration. I said I'm weary of the stupid system. At my age I still have decades of it ahead of me. So you went there 8 - 10 times (and how were you reporting actually, online hasn't been around that long), let's give that some perspective: My stepdaughter spent her formative years in the UK. Within 2 years she had ILR, which lasts forever, and she never had to visit immigration one. Not once. A year later she was registered as British. Now, you can say well local laws local rules respect them blah blah blah... Well I do respect them insofar as I go through the motions because I have no choice in order to hold my family unit together. Nothing you or anyone else can say to me will convince me the system isn't a piece of s#!t. . .

 

Quote

 I wonder how many of the people moaning about immigration here are moaning about how immigrants are ruining their home countries. 

 

Since you're inferring I might be such a person, I'll say this. Indefinite Leave to Remain was always free of charge in the UK up until the moment European free movement was introduced, at which point the Home Office started charging for it. . . so if you want to take this route in the conversation, yes, I strongly objected to the fact the wives and children of British Citizens are financially raped just to stay together, while those with no ties to the UK were able to come and go visa free and at no cost. I'll be very happy to take you on with this topic, if you dare.

 

 

 

 

[vangrop]

11 hours ago, cyril sneer said:

with all it's problems I do find Thailand to be a better choice than other options available

 

it's all about choosing the lesser of two evils

Do you think that it is as easy for a Thai to get a retirement visa in our western countries?

[elliss]

On 3/6/2021 at 2:27 PM, Orton Rd said:

why do you think it's great?

 

      Me thinks ,   He thinks .

       Thailand is a great Country for cheap sex .

      However that said ..Prostitution is illegal in the Kingdom .

       Lets no forget ...

      

[elliss]

On 3/6/2021 at 3:01 PM, redwood1 said:

Well I think we can all agree, Thailand has not lifted a finger to do anything favorable for expats in decades....No wonder Thailand is falling in the rankings.... 

 

 That said . 

    I sincerely hope it falls , as far as it can fall ...

[holy cow cm]

41 minutes ago, vangrop said:

it is stupidity

Actually your post is right on the point. If you can keep the 800k in the bank or I would think have assets and a legit long time family and relationship then the pearly gates should be opened to a PR or citizenship. Love living here but these 2 faced false smiley A- H-oles in power should be tar and feathered and kicked out of their own country. 

[rioD]

Thailand's rating drop is directly attributed to their backward thinking government who clearly over play their hand at every opportunity. It appears most decision makers are unsophisticated bunglers who value short term rewards more than long-term prosperity and stability.

[rumak]

On 3/6/2021 at 3:01 PM, redwood1 said:

Well I think we can all agree, Thailand has not lifted a finger to do anything favorable for expats in decades....No wonder Thailand is falling in the rankings.... 

 

Hmmmm     does the middle finger count ?

[rioD]

30 minutes ago, vangrop said:

Do you think that it is as easy for a Thai to get a retirement visa in our western countries?

Most Thais would require assistance in Western countries.  Westerners (retirees) should NEVER require assistance in Thailand and there isn't any.

[LNKDES1]

On 3/6/2021 at 2:47 PM, canopus1969 said:

$1k - please say how !

My wife & I lived on 24K baht/mo for almost two years in Kanchanaburi Province. We also had no rent. And we wanted for nothing.

[elliss]

16 minutes ago, LNKDES1 said:

My wife & I lived on 24K baht/mo for almost two years in Kanchanaburi Province. We also had no rent. And we wanted for nothing.

 

 Exscuse me asking .

    Does your wife have a brother .?

[LNKDES1]

2 minutes ago, elliss said:

 

 Exscuse me asking .

    Does your wife have a brother .?

Two, and I have met neither.

[Orton Rd]

 

30 minutes ago, LNKDES1 said:

My wife & I lived on 24K baht/mo for almost two years in Kanchanaburi Province. We also had no rent. And we wanted for nothing.

 

we live on not much more than 28k now in Bkk, but not including medical insurance.

[DUNROAMIN]

Why would you.

High Barht

Crappy health services

Corrupt police/ government.

No law to speak of.

In top 5 for most dangerous place to drive/ride

In top 5 for most polluted country

Some areas No 1 for air pollution. 

Grotty Soi's with ugly power poles and comms cables.

Draconic immigration laws and policies.

Dodgy untrained trades people

Never ending barking from Soi dogs.

Etc, etc, etc

 

[high plane drifter]

I am glad I moved away from Thailand, The visa sharks in Thailand are not good for the Country, 

[Yellowtail]

4 hours ago, dbrenn said:

What a strange and verbose way you have of asking a simple question.

 

Visa rule tightening is one example. When I first arrived, people were living forever on tourist visas, now they are no longer free to do so. There are other examples, too numerous to list, some of them you might agree with, other not. 

 

It was the second time I asked, and it was more a statement than a question.

 

When asking for examples, there always seems to be too many to list.

 

I don't look at enforcement of existing laws as a loss of freedom.