After living in BKK for 5 yrs with a retirement Visa, I left to return to the USA and my daughters wedding.  I am currently 72 and will return on a 60-day tourist Visa Dec. 1st.

 

I will then apply for my retirement Visa through ThaiVisa.  My last year with LMG Insurance, was at a cost of 240,000 BHT as I've had serious back surgeries. Using the services of ThaiVisa, I do NOT have to prove health insurance to immigration, as ThaiVisa has that as part of their deal.  I NEVER have to go to immigration again, including 90-day reports.  They handle everything immigration related for ex-pats. (see costs below)

 

Using ThaiVisa, they will then convert to 3 month non immigrant O (20,000 THB),  then apply 1 yr. extension (14,000 THB).  total 15 months 34,000 bht. , The following years will be 14,000 THB for yearly retirement extension. 

 

Does this sound about correct?  

14 minutes ago, Makoshark said:

Does this sound about correct?  

Yes.

 

Added note. The insurance shouldn't be part of your thinking.

It is not required for your non O or extensions 

 

Insurance is not required if you use a non-o visa to apply for a one year extension based upon retirement.

Same when applying for a non-o visa at immigration.

11 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Yes.

 

Added note. The insurance shouldn't be part of your thinking.

It is not required for your non O or extensions 

 

But insurance could be required in the event of accident or illness.

2 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

But insurance could be required in the event of accident or illness.

One incorrect word in your post....."required" 

Implies a requirement...not optional.

Insurance is not required for conversion to non O and subsequent extensions 

why pay 14k a year for an extension when the actual price is 1900 hundred baht? 

Just now, proton said:

why pay 14k a year for an extension when the actual price is 1900 hundred baht? 

Perhaps they can't meet the financial requirements so by using an agent, the agent "resolves such issues" directly with the IO.

As said total nonsense as no insurance is required for such a conversion extension of stay.

No reporting for 90 day is required after first time as that can be done online.

One visit to immigration each year for an hour or two for retirement extension of stay is normal time required at most locations.

 

Yearly costs:  trip to immigration/tm7 1,900 baht/bank documents several hundred baht/re-entry permits if needed.

Just now, Excel said:

Perhaps they can't meet the financial requirements so by using an agent, the agent "resolves such issues" directly with the IO.

I think somebody paying 240k a year for health care can meet the requirements, people who cannot should not be here.

2 minutes ago, proton said:

I think somebody paying 240k a year for health care can meet the requirements, people who cannot should not be here.

Have a good read of the OP.

He mentions that he is 72 and has had serious back injuries.

If he chooses to use an agent then that's up to him. 

7 minutes ago, proton said:

why pay 14k a year for an extension when the actual price is 1900 hundred baht? 

14k is certainly cheaper than 1900 hundred = 19k

6 minutes ago, proton said:

I think somebody paying 240k a year for health care can meet the requirements, people who cannot should not be here.

That logic fails me. For retirement extension you need 800 k. If you have to, or willing to spend 240k on insurance that is possibly a hefty chunk out of your available cash assets. Or is it your mindset that somebody who has to pay, or needs to pay 240 k for insurance are entitled to stay in Thailand and those that can not afford that sum, or have no wish to, are not entitled to stay in Thailand ?

Sounds like an OK deal to me. A bit hefty for the first year but 14K per year after that, and they take care everything, including your 90-days reports, that seems pretty good. 

1 minute ago, Excel said:

That logic fails me. For retirement extension you need 800 k. If you have to, or willing to spend 240k on insurance that is possibly a hefty chunk out of your available cash assets. Or is it your mindset that somebody who has to pay, or needs to pay 240 k for insurance are entitled to stay in Thailand and those that can not afford that sum, or have no wish to, are not entitled to stay in Thailand ?

Legally if you do not have the funds you have no legal right to obtain an extension, the company he mentions will get him an extension from a province he does not live in, defiantly illegal.

4 minutes ago, norbra said:

14k is certainly cheaper than 1900 hundred = 19k

One thousand nine hundred

3 minutes ago, proton said:

Legally if you do not have the funds you have no legal right to obtain an extension, the company he mentions will get him an extension from a province he does not live in, defiantly illegal.

100% agree with you which is why all agents arranging such services should be behind bars IMHO, however the money they hand over to immigration ensures that this corruption will continue.

9 minutes ago, proton said:

I think somebody paying 240k a year for health care can meet the requirements, people who cannot should not be here.

I self-insure, i see no point to paying out huge sums at my age to an insurance company who will be doing their best to weasel out of any obligations it incurs.

Yet another self-righteous poster with Procrustean ideas.

15 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I self-insure, i see no point to paying out huge sums at my age to an insurance company who will be doing their best to weasel out of any obligations it incurs.

Yet another self-righteous poster with Procrustean ideas.

By 'self insure' I take it you mean you will pay for any medical/health incidents yourself. What if the costs are more than you have?

Hey Guys,

 

I have plenty of money, but I'm not willing to pay 240k BHT. I will get insurance that satisfies any Visa requirements.   Probably around 500,00- 1mm.   I would never live in BKK w/o some coverage.

 

Thanks again Dr. Jack & The Pope, Ubon Joe ! ! ! 

47 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I self-insure, i see no point to paying out huge sums at my age to an insurance company who will be doing their best to weasel out of any obligations it incurs.

Sure, if you have 10+ million in your bank account that's no problem, but many people here struggle even having 800k in their bank account, so in their case insurance makes sense.

1 hour ago, KannikaP said:

By 'self insure' I take it you mean you will pay for any medical/health incidents yourself. What if the costs are more than you have?

Are there health Agents? what if the insurance company won't pay anything or only part of the bill, or more likely goes bust as several have here recently. The government has a money back dept if your company goes bust, guess what, all the funds were soon gone when thousands claimed this year. We are still waiting after 6 months, better to take care of medical care yourself than throw money at insurance companies, which gets unaffordable in old age anyway.

1 hour ago, FriendlyFarang said:

Sure, if you have 10+ million in your bank account that's no problem, but many people here struggle even having 800k in their bank account, so in their case insurance makes sense.

I don't need 10+ million in my bank account, that's a gross exaggeration. My 800K stays untouched year after year, I have 500K set aside for medical emergencies. I also have assets in Australia I can liquidate with a click of a mouse. And the option of going back to Australia for free private health care.

 

Assuming I could even get past the pre-existing conditions clauses ( none of which are life-threatening ), my age means I would be shelling out more than 200,000 baht per year for something I may never need, and may never collect on if an insurance company decides to renege. That goes way beyond stupid.

 

What gets on my wick is sanctimonious posters who have the mindset of one size fits all, and I should be insured. I'm here, I am not insured, and I'm probably more financial than they are. Get used to it.

8 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I have 500K set aside for medical emergencies. I also have assets in Australia I can liquidate with a click of a mouse. And the option of going back to Australia for free private health care.

Try going back to Australia when you are in the ICU in a private hospital (maybe somebody found you unconscious and decided to take you there), where they charge you 100k per night. Your 500k lasts 5 days, not even including any special surgeries or whatever might be required.

For a broken leg you could of course self insure, but insurance is for worst case scenarios, which can cost you a few millions.

26 minutes ago, FriendlyFarang said:

Try going back to Australia when you are in the ICU in a private hospital (maybe somebody found you unconscious and decided to take you there), where they charge you 100k per night. Your 500k lasts 5 days, not even including any special surgeries or whatever might be required.

For a broken leg you could of course self insure, but insurance is for worst case scenarios, which can cost you a few millions.

My Thai GF knows to take me to a public hospital, either Phan or Chiang Rai.

All life is a gamble. I take sensible precautions, and keep myself physically and mentally fit, with diet thrown in.

If you enjoy being a doom-laden naysayer, who am I to deny you that pleasure? It does not sit well with your nom-de-plume, though.

2 hours ago, FriendlyFarang said:

Sure, if you have 10+ million in your bank account that's no problem, but many people here struggle even having 800k in their bank account, so in their case insurance makes sense.

Even more worrying are some of the 'border bouncers' who can't even get 20,000 baht together in case they might have to show it. What chance have they got in the case of serious accident or illness?

1 hour ago, FriendlyFarang said:

the ICU in a private hospital (maybe somebody found you unconscious and decided to take you there), where they charge you 100k per night.

Obviously that charge would be for major treatment and ICU as ICU itself is only about 25% of that price at highest tier hospitals.

Quote

ICU / CCU    9,370    13,020    THB 22,390 (USD 631)

 

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/services-and-facilities/inpatient-accommodation/intensive-care

 

4 hours ago, proton said:

I think somebody paying 240k a year for health care can meet the requirements, people who cannot should not be here.

If you have nothing constructive to say it’s probably best to say nothing. People have different circumstances, and those can change, even yours so being judgemental isn’t a great look.

22 hours ago, Lacessit said:

I self-insure, i see no point to paying out huge sums at my age to an insurance company who will be doing their best to weasel out of any obligations it incurs.

Yet another self-righteous poster with Procrustean ideas.

I had an accident two years ago requiring seven orthopedic operations, the insurance company paid the hospital directly without question, as they have done when my daughter required inpatient care.

No weasel action by this company.

 

28 minutes ago, StevieAus said:

I had an accident two years ago requiring seven orthopedic operations, the insurance company paid the hospital directly without question, as they have done when my daughter required inpatient care.

No weasel action by this company.

 

A statistical sample of one or two proves nothing.

Explain to me why insurance companies have entire departments that process claims, with the performance bonuses going to the employees that can deny the most claims.

32 minutes ago, StevieAus said:

I had an accident two years ago requiring seven orthopedic operations, the insurance company paid the hospital directly without question, as they have done when my daughter required inpatient care.

No weasel action by this company.

 

an accident is not a pre-existing condition ????