Expats angry at huge concessions in latest Thai visa announcements

[Hummin]

If you are ounder 45 or younger, elite visa is a good solution if you have money to waste. Simple as that.

 

 

[Fat is a type of crazy]

I intend to spend time in Australia and Thailand so for me this seems to make things much easier with no more need to worry about the forms and money in the bank and all that. 

[anrcaccount]

1 hour ago, CLW said:

The DTV is not a five year visa. You can stay a maximum of 360 days (180 + extension 180) within those five years in Thailand. If you are planning to stay long term here, it'll give you a mere 72 days per year, the other time you need to spend outside of Thailand. 

Of course it's an option for those who are awaiting other visa types. But under the new rules they also could enter Thailand 60 days, extension 30 days. Leave and re-enter the country, do the same procedure. Also 180 days total. With less paperwork and probably same cost. 

On the other hand I wouldn't trust any policy of this government for five years. You never know what happens (see cannabis legalisation...)

 

Incorrect.

 

It's a 5 year multi entry visa. 180 days per STAY, unlimited entries / exits during the visa validity period. 

 

Each stay can be extended for another 180 days meaning up to 360 days consecutively in TH. 360 days is not cumulative.

 

Each entry is 180 days, meaning if you leave every 6 months, you don't need extensions at all.

 

 

[churchill]

47 minutes ago, Calach said:

So Elite visa holders basically spent $25,000 for 5 years of airport rides and fast track. 

 

plus plus ... their handbook of discounts and benefits is over 300 pages long .

 

help with accounting/law/banking if needed .

 

Discounts at hospitals , hotels 

 

Renewal of driving licence ....

 

I paid 600,000 for 5 years with an option to extend an additional 15 years for 400,000 / so 20 years hassle free for 1M .

 

Maybe there are cheaper options but I like the security of having the 20 years , the benefits are an added bonus .

[newbee2022]

21 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

if you stay 180 days or more... taxes !.

Stamp in your passport does not change this.

No. That's not right.

With DTV you are to leave after 180 days (or one day before). Entering again another 180 days start. Same procedure for 5 years.

However, with a retirement visa 365 days) you will be taxed.

Also: retirement visa is available inside and outside of Thailand.

DTV is only outside of Thailand available.

[arick]

Yes and like bloody prisoners have to pay a thousand bat every time you f****** want to get out of the country and back in.

[arick]

So you get your retirement visa have to do a trip to the consulate in Bangkok get an affidavit for 2000 then you have to get your Visa for 2000 drive to do that then every time you want to leave the country say you want to leave the country even four times in the year that's another $4,000

[newbee2022]

33 minutes ago, Celsius said:

 

Wrong, but I think this tax thing is very exaggerate so it makes no difference.

It's exactly as I said. You're wrong.

[PingRoundTheWorld]

Whine whine whine, it's Buddha day - you're not allowed wine.

 

 

Amazing how Thailand actually takes a step in the right direction, allowing digital nomads to legally stay and work in Thailand instead of being forced to do border runs at the mercy of immigration officers and how they feel that day, and people who've had to suffer through that beaurocracy in the past complain. Be happy for those eligible for it, and on with your day.

 

The only group that can be ****hurt is people who just recently bought Elite at the inflated price. Everyone else, including those who bought Elite before the price increase, really don't have anything to complain about. Also keep in mind the DTV is subject to change - which it very likely will - if not this government, the next one may decide they don't like how it's going and cripple or axe it. With Elite or retirement at least you're on a visa that has a long proven history which isn't likely to change too much.

 

[Celsius]

2 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

It's exactly as I said. You're wrong.

 

then you don't know what you're talking about because you suggest that the type of visa determines residency for tax purposes. it does not 

[mokwit]

10 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

No. That's not right.

With DTV you are to leave after 180 days (or one day before). Entering again another 180 days start. Same procedure for 5 years.

However, with a retirement visa 365 days) you will be taxed.

Also: retirement visa is available inside and outside of Thailand.

DTV is only outside of Thailand available.

Nope, it is 180 days in Thailand in a calendar year. Doesn't matter if you left before 180 and then come back in. It is likely however that you will be able to stay under their radar.

[Zack61]

This new visa arrangement suits me just great. I hope it doesn’t change. Anyone with a marriage or retirement visa would be silly not to take advantage of it. Assuming it isn’t changed. 

[mokwit]

5 minutes ago, Zack61 said:

This new visa arrangement suits me just great. I hope it doesn’t change. Anyone with a marriage or retirement visa would be silly not to take advantage of it. Assuming it isn’t changed. 

Now is not the time to come off a retirement or marriage extension as changes have been indicated for September. You want to be on it in the hope of being grandfathered against any stricter requirements. Grandfathering required CONTINUOUS extensions, break that and you are a new applicant for Grandfathering criteria.

[Photoguy21]

If you don' like it change the visa you have next time it needs renewing. If you don't want to do that stop complaining it wont get you anywhere.

[Mike Teavee]

44 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

 

if you stay 180 days or more... taxes !.

Stamp in your passport does not change this.

Correct anybody who spends >179 days in Thailand in any one calendar year is Tax Resident & (With the exception of LTR Holders who were exempted by a Royal Decree) are potentially liable for Tax, even if they were using Visa Exempts to stay 180 days they're still Tax Resident & so still potentially liable for Tax. 

 

Haven't seen a Royal Decree exempting DTV holders.

[Dionigi]

retirement visa extension 2000 baht per year and the 800000 in the bank account is always there and actually increases by a couple of thousand annually surely the cost of an extension and a visa run twice a year is more than 2000 baht.

[BusyB]

1 hour ago, Patong2021 said:

 

It's worth a bump on this. You are the only one who understood this. (Non immigrant long stay visa can also qualify  some people as expats for the purposes of placing lower cost expat health insurance vs. travel health insurance.) 

In even simpler language, the revised visa rules addresses the biggest tourist complaint amongst the high end and older demographic who just want to visit Thailand for 2-3 months at the most per visit without the hassle of applying for a visa.

 

And as the article points out Malaysia offers 90 day stays.

 

Malaysia is also a very beautiful and interesting country with all the attractions of Thailand for  tourists including the food and temples. Obviously it doesn't appeal to the incel/sex addict/hebephile crowds though.

[Digitalbanana]

4 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Now is not the time to come off a retirement or marriage extension as changes have been indicated for September.

What changes? Link?

[Zack61]

This new visa arrangement suits me just great. I hope it doesn’t change. Anyone with a marriage or retirement visa would be silly not to take advantage of it. Assuming it isn’t changed. 

[Toby1947]

Tough luck expats, who do you think you are most of you are Cheap Charlie's at least the ones I encounter are. Realise it ain't YOUR COUNTRY. Well done Thailand 

[Zack61]

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth 

[Mike Teavee]

2 minutes ago, Digitalbanana said:

What changes? Link?

When the changes to Visa Exempt & the new DTV visa were announced they also mentioned some changes that impact Non-Immigrant visas were coming in September 

 

Medium-term measures: (effective from September – December 2024):

1. Non-Immigrant visa categories will be streamlined from 17 to 7, including Non-B, Non-ED, Non-F, Non-M, Non-O (others), Non-O (L-A), and Non-L-A types.

2. The long-stay retirement visa (Non-Immigrant visa type “O-A”) will be revised, with the required health insurance deposit for medical expenses in Thailand reduced from 3,000,000 THB to 40,000 THB for outpatient care and 400,000 THB for inpatient care.

 

https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=e514f1b5-182d-4779-affa-c68e06786076#:~:text=Medium-term measures%3A (effective,%2C and Non-L-A types.

 

[Dionigi]

Just now, Olmate said:

Deery me, only800k,that is cheap!! Seriously are u new here? 

It is cheap when you are not spending it, it is always there 5000 baht spent is expensive you have lost it forever

[Pink7]

11 minutes ago, mokwit said:

Now is not the time to come off a retirement or marriage extension as changes have been indicated for September. You want to be on it in the hope of being grandfathered against any stricter requirements. Grandfathering required CONTINUOUS extensions, break that and you are a new applicant for Grandfathering criteria.

What changes have been indicated for September?

 

Pink

[Olmate]

5 minutes ago, Dionigi said:

It is cheap when you are not spending it, it is always there 5000 baht spent is expensive you have lost it forever

Like I thought, your new here! 

[paddypower]

2 hours ago, G_Money said:

That is an option.

 

I will continue to transfer the required 65k or more every month to meet the needs for my retirement extension until I decide I’ve had enough of the Land of Smiles.

 

Don’t burn one’s bridges.

same same - switching this year to the 65k monthly income method and getting my 800k back. the Income Fund I invest in pays 12% per year, quarterly distributions, (that is pre-w/h tax of 10%)  . this is a great country to live in, if you (i) keep your cool and (ii) keep your wits about you.

[Toby1947]

2 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

 

A Non-Immigrant visa allows you to open bank accounts, obtain a driving licence and other privileges that the 60 day stamps and DTV don't support.

 

Also, you don't qualify for the DTV, because you are a retiree, and that is not a category that it supports.

Rubbish I acquired a bank account and driving licence on a Tourist Visa no trouble 

[bob smith]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Geoffrey Fisher, a Brit who recently paid 900,000 baht (about 20,000 UK pounds) for the five year Elite visa said he had wasted his money

...stupid is as stupid does!

 

bob.

[prakhonchai nick]

1 hour ago, Neeranam said:

If you prefer PR, fair enough but I don't understand why.

It cost you 200,000 baht? 

Do you need a reentry permit when leaving the country? 

Have had PR for 34 years now. From memory cost 20,000bt. Yes I do need a reentry permit if I leave the country, but a multi entry is valiod for 1 year.

 

Problem nowadays with both PR and citizenship is the ability to be reasonably fluent in Thai. Difficult for many

[sandyf]

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Well, here another annoying fact:

If I stay on a retirement visa in Thailand I would have to pay taxes.

If I go for a DTV, what I cannot because I live in Thailand, then I pay NO taxes.

☹️🥴🤮😡

You mean another incorrect fact.

The real fact is that only tax residents MAY have to pay tax.

A "retirement visa", whatever you mean by that, or any other type of visa does not equate to tax residency.

What on earth makes you think that those on DTV would be excluded from becoming tax residents?