SURVEY: Will Thailand continue to be a favorable destination for retirees?

[GStewart70]

2 hours ago, MarkyM3 said:

First came in 2005 with friends backpacking around Asia and loved it. Ended up staying 3 months and reducing other parts of my itinerary. 

 

I've spent 2-3 months a year there since then, while working the rest of the time in the UK, plus I had a 6 month break there in 2013 and had been planning to do another 6 months until the pandemic struck.

 

The idea of retiring to Thailand became a real aspiration fairly quickly, particularly after getting into a long-term relationship.

 

However, I feel the free and easy atmosphere is going. OK, after spending a lot of time in any country, it's inevitably not going to be fresh as it is when you first experience it. But it doesn't have the same vibe anymore, to me at least. The mass over-development to cater for package tours from China, Russia etc. has not helped either. Samui, whilst still nice, isn't what it was even 15 years ago. When I first pitched up there, Lamai and Chaweng were very much separate areas. Now they are one urban sprawl. 

 

Also, it isn't a particularly cheap place if you are living in places like Bangkok unless you are living like locals do. I spend more in supermarkets, for example, than I do in the UK and my UK wages are a lot higher, obviously. Life away from the capital and tourist areas looks more attractive. 

 

I'm 50 now and have the finances in place to retire there if I want to. But I see things  more like 4 or 5 months a year as a snowbird now, rather than the dream of living out there full-time.

 

I wouldn't buy property there either due to the legal wild west, though that's always been the case. 

Pretty much bang on the money.

Split the year, don't burn your bridges at home.

Especially if insurance becomes unaffordable after 75.

Best of both worlds and absence makes the heart grow fonder for both.

 

[Jingthing]

28 minutes ago, GStewart70 said:

Pretty much bang on the money.

Split the year, don't burn your bridges at home.

Especially if insurance becomes unaffordable after 75.

Best of both worlds and absence makes the heart grow fonder for both.

 

That might work for some people, but it's incredibly unrealistic for many others. Retiring abroad is retiring abroad. That's a description of something else entirely. 

[Albert Zweistein]

10 hours ago, worgeordie said:

Tell them to come quickly, I have 2 empty houses looking for tenants,

first time that has happened ,well forever , It's a good job I don't need

the income from them , but have to dip into the savings, the only good

thing is no phone calls day and night ...this or that needs fixing ,tap

leaking, lights not working...etc, etc.. etc most likely another year or

two, or three like this ,<deleted>£king Covid ,but think of those in debt,struggling,

with nowt, 

regards worgeordie 

 

Give you time to fix the houses properly.

[GStewart70]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

That might work for some people, but it's incredibly unrealistic for many others. Retiring abroad is retiring abroad. That's a description of something else entirely. 

Your opinion.

I'll keep my assets in the UK and travel/retire abroad on the income or capital appreciation.

Retiring abroad means your totally at the mercy of immigration rules and currency fluctuations.

Your a guest in Thailand on a 1 year rolling contract.

Property ownership is another ball game altogether.

Anyone with half a brain wouldn't sell a property in the UK with a market componding at 10% plus a year at the minute.

If that 'doesn't work for some people' then their idiots.

 

[meechai]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

That might work for some people, but it's incredibly unrealistic for many others. Retiring abroad is retiring abroad. That's a description of something else entirely. 

Retirement may be a ball & chain for some but not all thanks

Many can & do retire in more than one spot & that is not something else...It is something Better ????

Edited September 5, 2021 by meechai

[garyk]

IMHO, China and the current regime will put the stop to mass western retirees in the near future. 

For me the air pollution, and constant hassle from immigration was to much to put up with.

My vote it will get assimilated slowly and tourism and retirees will slowly die out.

 

I  lived their full-time for 10 years and 5 or 6 years before that, visiting for months at a time.  What a change, hard to imagine back then I would be writing this.

 

The current regime wants the money that comes with tourism of old, but want to make it miserable for people that come here... haha. Hard to imagine.

 

Thailand is living on publicity of old. They push it and it attracts new comers. But, as with all false advertising it is catching up with them and cannot last.

 

That being said as a westerner.. Now, Thailand will push China and the others to come. And I expect some success. But, for me as a westerner I cannot think of a more miserable place than Thailand.

Edited September 5, 2021 by garyk

[bkkcanuck8]

2 hours ago, daveAustin said:

That’s an incidental and could have happened any time if the colonial powers that be had the inclination. 
 

Most are missing the point of the op. It is—loosely, with all the bs that has unfolded of late— ‘will it continue to be attractive’ to retirees not how is your staid life going lol. I think it will still attract escapees from dictatorships (Chinese) and folk from boring western nanny states, but, pandemic aside, Thailand is/will not do enough to win them over from burgeoning Vietnam etc. Glory days are over and way less bang (excuse pun) fit your buck in all areas. 
 

Yes, Thailand was not colonized because western states had no interest in them.... unlike Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia...  So if your theory of disinterest is true, what did all those countries have that Thailand did not?

 

 

[Jingthing]

56 minutes ago, meechai said:

Retirement may be a ball & chain for some but not all thanks

Many can & do retire in more than one spot & that is not something else...It is something Better ????

Retiring abroad in different countries is not the same thing as snow birding from your home country. The subject here is retirement in Thailand. 

[Jingthing]

As far as Thailand continuing to be a draw for actual retiring expats, I guess yes probably but there are always x factors that could change that. 

 

Such as --

 

Thailand totally failing in it's Covid recovery and that lasting for many more years.

 

Not easing more on Covid restrictions.

 

Unpredictable visa policy changes such as happened in Malaysia. 

 

Political meltdown.

 

But my take is the government here will continue to want even moderate wealth retirees for their economic benefits. Remember each new recruit even if they fail here tends to set up a household. That ain't chopped liver.

Edited September 5, 2021 by Jingthing

[garyk]

7 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Retiring abroad in different countries is not the same thing as snow birding from your home country. The subject here is retirement in Thailand. 

I agree, but Thailands retirement rules have been sketchy at best. One year extensions, no land ownership what so ever. I mean it was set up as a con game from the beginning.

[Jingthing]

Just now, garyk said:

I agree, but Thailands retirement rules have been sketchy at best. One year extensions, no land ownership what so ever. I mean it was set up as a con game from the beginning.

Yes, it can definitely be a house of cards. 

[bkkcanuck8]

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Yes, it can definitely be a house of cards. 

And yet @daveAustinis saying that Vietnam is the promise land for retirees... a country without a "retirement visa"....

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, bkkcanuck8 said:

And yet @daveAustinis saying that Vietnam is the promise land for retirees... a country without a "retirement visa"....

Well that's silly. 

There are other actual retirement abroad options in the world other than Thailand and Asean. 

Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America. 

[meechai]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Retiring abroad in different countries is not the same thing as snow birding from your home country. The subject here is retirement in Thailand. 

Double speak

Topic is "Will Thailand continue to be a favorable destination for retirees"

Retiring 6 months in one place & 6 months in the other...which is your home country?

For us both as we own homes in Both

 

Snow birding is just a term

Many folks are retired in two countries period

That some cannot afford it does not mean it is not retirement

 

If one can only live in a 3rd world countries/New Industrialized Country full time that is down to their planning/choice

 

Edited September 5, 2021 by meechai

[Destiny1990]

There are plenty of other interesting alternatives nearby and visas here been made so complicated in recent years so I don’t even try that application process anymore. The place is generally mismanaged. At most suitable for a one or a two months visit.

[darrenr]

Thailand really needs to look at their complicated ‘jump through the hoops “ retirement visa system, many Latin American and some European destinations offer 90,180 and even 365 day tourist visa- dont need to show bank statements, don’t need to show insurance and some no onward ticket, making it easy to stay then visit another adjacent country and then come back . 
 

And then 90 day reporting standing in line , need to improve the 90 day online system 

[bikerlou47]

Assuming that the retired person does not have a personal connection to Thailand I see no reason why anyone would want to retire here and be treated as a second class citizen!

[Blumpie]

Personal opinions can matter little because they change rules all the time.  

Will they keep them the same?  Then I think there will be a slight decline, but it's only my opinion.  

I'd rather spend six months a year there and not have to go through all the horrendous visa ludicrousness that they require.  

Nobody is stupid for wanting to retire in Thailand.  IT's a good place, but from what I see after a certain age they just want you out of the country so you can go home and die.  And make no mistake, Thailand feels like it would never truly be my home.  It's kind of sad, but I'm afraid to say most of Asia is like this.  

 

[Scheduler]

As with others on this thread I first visited Thailand some years ago, 2005.

I found the culture, the food and the diverse landscapes very pleasant.

Unfortunately over the years the overall mood, politics, visa requirements and costs of living here especially the medical to be deteriorating. 

I have a lovely partner/Thai wife and due to a rare eye disease that she has we must continue to live here for her medical care. 

Now in retirement for the past 2.5 years we have explored other countries and found Ecuador in South America to be our favorite. A great choice to for retirement and more especially so for Canadian and Americans.

My pipe dream is that Thailand will wake-up and adapt a more logical approach to foreigners/retirees.  

 

[darrenr]

So apart from retirement visa how can you stay in Thailand for 6 months a year , do they have 2-3 month multiple entry visas’ s ? Not interested in education or business visa , thanks

[jacko45k]

8 minutes ago, darrenr said:

Thailand really needs to look at their complicated ‘jump through the hoops “ retirement visa system, many Latin American and some European destinations offer 90,180 and even 365 day tourist visa- dont need to show bank statements, don’t need to show insurance and some no onward ticket, making it easy to stay then visit another adjacent country and then come back . 
 

And then 90 day reporting standing in line , need to improve the 90 day online system 

Why....... what is the incentive for them to do this?

You talk of tourist visas and we discuss retirement.....

AS to 90 day reporting, I have not stood in line for over a decade, I make a few clicks at my laptop and it is done... trivial. 

[khunpa]

I have been coming yearly several times on holiday since 1989. Lived here full time since 2011 after a 7 year stretch in Vietnam.

 

Overall I think Thailand is still a good country to retire to, but personally I am considering trying out Philippines for a couple of years, when Covid allows it. Maybe also a year in Belize. Want to try and see something new. Especially after this Covid period. Will still keep my stuff here, so will return after my new “adventure” is over.

 

Basically I have no regrets moving here. Thailand offers a good relaxing lifestyle and is in my view still pretty cost-effective. For sure still beats my home-country, when it comes to the weather and a more relaxed life-style. And sure there are disadvantages, but same goes for all other places.

[garyk]

9 minutes ago, Scheduler said:

As with others on this thread I first visited Thailand some years ago, 2005.

I found the culture, the food and the diverse landscapes very pleasant.

Unfortunately over the years the overall mood, politics, visa requirements and costs of living here especially the medical to be deteriorating. 

I have a lovely partner/Thai wife and due to a rare eye disease that she has we must continue to live here for her medical care. 

Now in retirement for the past 2.5 years we have explored other countries and found Ecuador in South America to be our favorite. A great choice to for retirement and more especially so for Canadian and Americans.

My pipe dream is that Thailand will wake-up and adapt a more logical approach to foreigners/retirees.  

 

Same here, I am in Colombia at present. Scenery will take your breath away. Would love to expore Ecuador.. 

[wwest5829]

17 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

Have been here just on 6 years, the only thing that has really changed for me is that I have become awoke as to how uneducated and racist the Thai people are, e.g. Thai's 1st, everyone else 2nd, this was clearly evident with this pandemic.

 

The lack of education, explains the corruption etc to me.

 

All of the above said, one can still live a good life if one has the backing, not talking pensions, and yes the cost of food is up their if you like your imports, i.e. pretty much the same as back home, but labor costs, housing materials, electricity, water, and the like are cheap, so it depends on what you want in life, i.e. to own a shack in a western country and put down at least a million $'s to buy it, but we all know it's way more than that or use those funds to build a place here for 1/10th of that and maintain the same existence as you did when you lived back in your home country.

 

Thailand is not perfect, but where is, when I talk to guys thinking of retiring here, they can't believe what it costs me to live here, albeit it they constantly complain of how expensive it is back home and how they have to keep working to just survive, with my reply being, how much is enough and what do you want out of life, because at the end of the day, it's only time, the rest is nothing, so if you want to work 5/7th of your life to exists to watch your asset grow, but have to work to continue to repay the bank loan, the car loan and the rest, then keep doing what your doing, for me, I have enough here to last me till I'm 101, but I don't just sit and live off of my money, I look for investment opportunities without breaking a sweat so as to minimise my out of pocket expenses, with this year being the worst as it's cost me around 4,500 baht a month to live here after income from investments earned......I know, it's bad, but hey could be worse ????

 

I think if people have money, Thailand is a perfect place to retire and ones home country can be a holiday destination every year or two if one has family there, otherwise the world can be anyone's oyster.

Looking forward to retirement I looked at Mexico, Ecuador, Panama, the Philippines and Thailand. For medical care concerns, security, cost of living and ... OK, I am more attracted to the Asian female look, I decided on Thailand. I figured if I stayed in the US, my future would be in a rusting trailer in Florida or Arizona. Here I am able to live a working middle class retirement on my $2400.00 USD a month ($1320 of that from SS). The plan allows me to carry-on with neither running out of funds nor do I need to dip into capital. I do confess to spending too much for the western food. It appears the 3 of us enjoy the living standard and I certainly enjoy being taken care of by my Thai wife (26 years my junior ... hold on, remember I am ancient)..

[Nojohndoe]

1 hour ago, Destiny1990 said:

There are plenty of other interesting alternatives nearby and visas here been made so complicated in recent years so I don’t even try that application process anymore. The place is generally mismanaged. At most suitable for a one or a two months visit.

So how or why is it that the "complicated " visa process still leaves Thailand "suitable" for a month or two  visit?

 

[nobodysfriend]

Will Thailand continue to be ... ?

Well , that depends on many things .

How long will that Covid crisis last ?

How bad will economics be affected by it in the long run ?

What will be the governments reaction to the reduced income ?

It looks that they will need every buck they can get ...

If , after some time , they realize that tourism related income will never become anymore what it once was , may be , they will realize that , to attract money , they will need to make the country more attractive .

Easiest way to do this is to relax the ridiculous immigration rules .

If that happens , and , after the penny dropped , they really do some efforts to facilitate the Visa processes for long time stayers , ( and spenders ) , Thailand will become more attractive for people wanting to retire and spend their money in peace ( of mind ) .

Let foreigners own a piece of land and build their own houses would certainly help as well ... and bring in more money .

There are endless possibilities to improve the attractiveness of Thailand for investors .

I hope that they realize that before it is too late ...

If they do that , yes , Thailand will continue to be ...

If they don't get this , they will financially suffer for a long time .

But it looks like Xenophobia is a threat to intelligent decisions .

[garyk]

35 minutes ago, darrenr said:

Thailand really needs to look at their complicated ‘jump through the hoops “ retirement visa system, many Latin American and some European destinations offer 90,180 and even 365 day tourist visa- dont need to show bank statements, don’t need to show insurance and some no onward ticket, making it easy to stay then visit another adjacent country and then come back . 
 

And then 90 day reporting standing in line , need to improve the 90 day online system 

What gripes me about Thailand  is that you cannot prove you have the funds they want your funds in their banks basically. In most latin American countries I can show funds in the bank and be granted a retirement visa. In Mexico where I am thinking of setting up a permanent retirement visa. I can show 150K in the bank and be issued a permanent visa. Here in Colombia it is dirt cheap, just showing the funds in the bank. In Thailand it is just a money scam IMHO.. They don't care if you have money or not. Don't care if you spend it to improve the lives of the Thai people, the government just wants it in the banks or being channeled in in 65K/mo. chunks. 

No offense, if they can get away with it then more power to them. I am not a fan of setting up and depositing large sums of money in a foreign country.

Look at Malaysia, how insane is that!  Another country that has gone off the deep end..

[Mr Meeseeks]

13 hours ago, Kadilo said:

You must know a lot of Thais. 

Flippant comment in lieu of any reasoned and factual argument.

 

They tolerate visitors but they simply don't want foreigners here longer term. 

 

This much is obvious with so much as a modicum of knowledge about Thai culture, history and immigration policy.

[Blumpie]

40 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Why....... what is the incentive for them to do this?

You talk of tourist visas and we discuss retirement.....

AS to 90 day reporting, I have not stood in line for over a decade, I make a few clicks at my laptop and it is done... trivial. 

I want to live in a place where I don't have to do this nonsense.  I am not a criminal.  

[Mr Meeseeks]

44 minutes ago, Scheduler said:

My pipe dream is that Thailand will wake-up and adapt a more logical approach to foreigners/retirees. 

Logical for whom?

 

For Thais it is extremely logical to keep foreigners on temporary year long visa extensions and 90-day reports. Keeps track of where they are living, easy to remove criminals, no vast numbers of extended family automatically allowed entry, cannot claim benefits or free healthcare (unless paying tax on wp), not a burden on the society and can be removed at any moment at their own expense. 

 

Another added benefit is it keeps people that don't have an interest in Thai culture, assimilating or learning the Thai language (which is the majority) well at arms length from any sort of permanence here. Just as it should be.

 

Sounds like a winner to me, wish my home country would adopt similar rules tbh.