5 minutes ago, XJPSX said:

Who cares. You have to pay to live somewhere and if your own country would be probably double.

There are many visas available to people with not a lot of money so don’t know what the fuss is about.

I have been paying a lot of tax here for 10 years but get on with it.

All true. And the reality.

 

The same folks that whinge on unnecessarily will do the same wherever they are. 

I just learned i am eligible for Italian citizenship. As soon as that comes through Thailand can shove these 90 day probation checks right up their tight little brown bung hole.

21 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

This is nothing to do with tourism:

 

"Today (Tuesday) Thailand’s cabinet approved, in principle, a measure to attract “high potential” foreigners, including wealthy retirees and specialists, to stay long term in the country in a bid to promote foreign investment and to improve the struggling economy."

Why don't they follow America and let anyone in broke or not ?

OH, forgot, it's really about more watches.

Poor disillusioned moaners who would surely be aware Thai set up when they chose retirement destination.

So sad to see the clamour for attention, when quietly sitting in background during this Thai government drive for income, would be preferable.

22 hours ago, smedly said:

many people who have been living here for a prolonged period (10 years +) some more than 20 years have spent a considerable amount of money, importantly it is money that flows into Thailand and not out.

 

What do they get in return ?............nothing, in fact if anything the authorities seem hell bent on introducing more and more hurdles and red tape, they seem to get some sort of infantile sick pleasure of shafting the tens of thousands of expats and retirees - it is shameful

I am genuinely interested as to what red tape and hurdles have been introduced say over the last ten years that make it harder for expats

In my case I would say the opposite.

I use the income method for my retirement extension and in the past obtained a statutory declaration as proof of income from the Australian Consulate in Chiang Mai

This involved a five hour round trip and often an overnight stay

After this was withdrawn I have since obtained a letter from the local bank, Easier quicker and cheaper Also in the past the re entry permit had to be applied for separately after the extension was issued now it is the one application and process

In relation to the 90 day reporting I pass the local Immigration office most days. The process takes four minutes from leaving the car to returning

They have recently removed the requirement for any photocopies only the passport

The Chiang mai Office has had a drive through facility requiring only the passport for a least the past year

Talking to friends only yesterday who use the Chiang Mai office they remarked how the service had improved and more streamlined

As far as anything in return I have just received for the first time in over ten years my second shot of AZ for free with excellent service and while on the subject of medical on the odd time over the years when I needed hospital treatment it was excellent quick and cheap plus the ambulance is free and if not busy they take you home

In Sydney you pay.

6 hours ago, KittyChick said:

With regard to the comment about masks and them hiding the "Thai Smile"....My husband and I are fully vaccinated healthy Americans who have a trip planned to Thailand this forthcoming January (2022).  We have been closely watching the evolving travel guidelines, and are fully prepared to stay the first 7 nights in an approved hotel/resort in Phuket. After 7 nights and clear covid tests, we'll either focus on scuba diving in an approved zone, or if policy permits, we'll travel to the mainland (Chiang Mai then a few days in Bankok) then home.  The ONLY thing that has me reluctant to proceed with the trip, is the idea of having to wear masks outdoors in the hot weather/at the pool/on the beach.  We completely understand needing masks indoors, but it won't feel like much of a beach vacation wearing a mask.  I want to be super respectful of everyone else and were we not vaccinated I would understand wearing masks all the time.  But one of the reasons we got vaccinated and want to vacation in Phuket is their high vaccination rate (and likely booster shots by then) which should in theory be safe without masks outside.  Can anyone tell me what is actually happening at resorts/beaches/shops/restaurants in Phuket with regard to masks?  Are tourists wearing masks all the time?  

Doesn't sound like much of a holiday, better going to Florida, which has a large number if anti mask Trumpists. 

Thais have diffetent personal values to yanks, personal freedom is not so prioritised, we do as we are told , especially when it comes to wearing masks, which stop the spread of a killer pandemic. 

Welcome but keep your masks on. 

 

5 minutes ago, StevieAus said:

I am genuinely interested as to what red tape and hurdles have been introduced say over the last ten years that make it harder for expats

In my case I would say the opposite.

I use the income method for my retirement extension and in the past obtained a statutory declaration as proof of income from the Australian Consulate in Chiang Mai

This involved a five hour round trip and often an overnight stay

After this was withdrawn I have since obtained a letter from the local bank, Easier quicker and cheaper Also in the past the re entry permit had to be applied for separately after the extension was issued now it is the one application and process

In relation to the 90 day reporting I pass the local Immigration office most days. The process takes four minutes from leaving the car to returning

They have recently removed the requirement for any photocopies only the passport

The Chiang mai Office has had a drive through facility requiring only the passport for a least the past year

Talking to friends only yesterday who use the Chiang Mai office they remarked how the service had improved and more streamlined

As far as anything in return I have just received for the first time in over ten years my second shot of AZ for free with excellent service and while on the subject of medical on the odd time over the years when I needed hospital treatment it was excellent quick and cheap plus the ambulance is free and if not busy they take you home

In Sydney you pay.

Thailand remains one if the most welcoming cointries for retirees in the world. 

Glad to see some gratitude. 

Thailand is a develiping country, and as we develop, visa requirements are going to become more reciprocal with other nations. 

It seems to be only poor retirees, or those with a self-entitlement

issue that are complaining. 

The government is targetting well off foreigners and some are self righteously attacking them to try to raise their low self esteem.

 

 

1 hour ago, Noah K said:

Also, I once wrote that if you do it right, your 90 day check in, and once a year renewal takes up about six full days of your time. You're retired, and you have 359 days left to have fun, so enjoy your time in Thailand.

Wht 6 days? Surely you only have to visit immigration once a year and it doesn't take all day. 

You can do 90 day online. 

If you do do it physically, it's a nice day out and can have a chat with the waiting  check-shirted brigade. 

3 hours ago, Crok said:

I have several condos in Thailand and left for a trip outside Thailand in March2020 before borders closed. Have not been able to return, my visa has expired, driver’s licence expired and am paying tax.. Have been told by Thai embassy can only renew all in person in Thailand and now will have to start the process again. What about those former permanent residents??

You can seek your condo when you are outside, through an estate agent. 

Don't worry about drivers licence. 

I also had a flight booked in March 2020, and cancelled it, it was pretty obvious what was going to happen. 

 

18 hours ago, EricTh said:

Malaysia has already raised its bar for their MM2H program. Many people won't be able to renew their visa in Malaysia

 

They’ve done more than raise the bar, they’ve made it completely unviable for everyone whether existing members or potential new members. The real message is very clear.

Malaysia, Vietnam, Bali - all cracking down, now Thailand with its new ultra rich visa, seems to be a pattern emerging here.

7 minutes ago, nausea said:

Malaysia, Vietnam, Bali - all cracking down, now Thailand with its new ultra rich visa, seems to be a pattern emerging here.

Most of Asia has been for decades awaiting the time when they could push Westerners out of the region. 

 

Many in Southeast Asia were planning to replace Westerns with Chinese expats and immigrants.

 

Now, China has stung all of them AND China's economy is unravelling.

 

Most of these Southeast Asian countries will be reinstating policies begging Westerners to come back -- until they can kick them out again.

23 hours ago, Pravda said:

 

When you decided to move to Thailand which part of it's a third world country you didn't understand?

Although I have always thought from early in my time living here (15 years) that Thailand has a third world mentality (the road statistics prove that) it is only since the unelected PM and his soldiers stole the country that I have looked on it as a third world country.

Everyone and  his uncle have seen the way this Thai government has treated it own citizens  recently,    and you're asking  them to think about  being generous  to   ex pats  here?........ no chance, they could'nt careless . its all  about them ONLY 

23 hours ago, Whale said:

I have been here 38 years son.

How come it took you so long to realise that you're a third class "citizen"?

27 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

Although I have always thought from early in my time living here (15 years) that Thailand has a third world mentality (the road statistics prove that) it is only since the unelected PM and his soldiers stole the country that I have looked on it as a third world country.

Are you not aware that Thailand has been under military rule for much of the time since the 1930s? The last military rule was probably the "norm" in LOS.

44 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Wht 6 days? Surely you only have to visit immigration once a year and it doesn't take all day. 

You can do 90 day online. 

If you do do it physically, it's a nice day out and can have a chat with the waiting  check-shirted brigade. 

Indeed. I had some excellent conversations while queued up for 4 hours at Chiang Mai immigration, waiting to see if I could get an appointment that day, or have to come back at 4 am next day

23 hours ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

In Australia you would need to bring in significant funds and or start a business to get such a visa. I think the current retirement conditions in Thailand are fair and reasonable though it would be good not to have to report each three months. If it can be done online then no big deal.

If Pravda's post is correct, the criteria for extra benefits are not that onerous, compared to other countries. Seems fair. 

"If it can be done online then no big deal" It is a big deal, even if the IO is at the end of your street. In normal countries, only criminals are forced to report to some authority.

 

23 hours ago, guzzi850m2 said:

Quote: Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan “We will filter tourists that come visit. We don’t want backpackers to come so that Bali remains clean, where the people who come are of quality.”

 

That's not a very nice statement to make to say the least, backpackers are not quality? Well many of them are on university and takes a 1 year sabbatical and may eventually become wealthy.  

 

So they all want rich tourists and expats.

 

Keep on dreaming.

 

There are not many really rich expats in Thailand expect the ones that got their wealth from illegal business back home.

 

How many of us came here as back packers while young and returned here to retire?

I know a few for sure.

1 hour ago, possum1931 said:

Although I have always thought from early in my time living here (15 years) that Thailand has a third world mentality (the road statistics prove that) it is only since the unelected PM and his soldiers stole the country that I have looked on it as a third world country.

A rare occasion that we’re in agreement. I’ve long said that Thailand isn’t a third world country, only it’s mentality.

17 hours ago, ericthai said:

Where do you get the idea that if you get PR you get free medical in the USA

From the United States government: 

Quote

In 1986, Congress enacted the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA) to ensure public access to emergency services regardless of ability to pay. Section 1867 of the Social Security Act imposes specific obligations on Medicare-participating hospitals that offer emergency services to provide a medical screening examination (MSE) when a request is made for examination or treatment for an emergency medical condition (EMC), including active labor, regardless of an individual's ability to pay. Hospitals are then required to provide stabilizing treatment for patients with EMCs. If a hospital is unable to stabilize a patient within its capability, or if the patient requests, an appropriate transfer should be implemented.  https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EMTALA

 

23 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

"If it can be done online then no big deal" It is a big deal, even if the IO is at the end of your street. In normal countries, only criminals are forced to report to some authority.

 

I acknowledge it would be a bit tedious. Other requirements though are a lot less difficult to comply with i.e. I think it's pretty good that any one over 50 can stay if they have a certain amount of income or some money to put in the bank. I am sure it's not that easy in Europe, the US or most other places I might like to go, and it certainly is much more difficult in Australia. 

If  a bit more savings or income makes it easier, then that could be an option, as  retirement beckons. I am a Public Servant and used to forms. 

17 minutes ago, jvs said:

How many of us came here as back packers while young and returned here to retire?

I know a few for sure.

I couldn't wait; came here as a young backpacker and came back 3 years later for good. 

THAI officials have a negative opinion about the farangs living in thailand.

they called them the dirty farangs"  "low class with money"

Thailand has been advertised for many years as an expat hot spot 

 

it is these "low class with money" that has supported many thai women and children, open farang restaurant.. and spend tons of money daily on Thai products and entertainment. They have kept the economy going, 

 

 

however they have been treated with disgust and prohibit to go to high end massage parlors and special clubs. They are not allowed in the "la di La" upper class places

 

Thai needs to changes their attitude about farangs if they want more to stay in thailand.

 

 

 

On 9/15/2021 at 9:54 AM, webfact said:

They are shouting from the rooftops throughout the nation: What the hell about us?

I haven't heard any of this...at least in Phuket.

On 9/15/2021 at 10:44 AM, Neeranam said:

I am under no illusion, but probably nearer that first rung  than the ones that wear a Chang vest when going to Tesco Lotus food court, or drive a pickup ???? 

I drive a pickup.

2 hours ago, Fairynuff said:

They’ve done more than raise the bar, they’ve made it completely unviable for everyone whether existing members or potential new members. The real message is very clear.

I wonder whether someone powerful in the Thai government is going to follow Malaysia's example? Then we will see an exodus of retirees from Thailand....

6 hours ago, GazR said:

Aussie Questioner: I have a Thai Taxpayer ID number from the Revenue Dept.. My understanding is that, If i were to retire to Thailand and live on investment income and/or a pension, then I would be liable (if not expected) to declare both as income and potentially incur a tax liability.  .What say you, chaps ?

Why would you have a Thai Taxpayer ID, I presume because you worked in Thailand previously?

And their will still be hungry homeless Thai's on the street....  

20 minutes ago, Tanomazu said:

Why would you have a Thai Taxpayer ID, I presume because you worked in Thailand previously?

Maybe he used to clam the tax back.

that is deducted on interest on savings at Thai banks,  need tax ID number for that.