What Would Make You Leave Thailand, Permanently?

[SoCal1990]

I've heard plenty of retirees in Thailand who say they’re here until the end. That Thailand is where they plan to spend the rest of their life, no intention of ever moving back home, or anywhere else, no desire to ever leave, etc.

 

But I’ve always wondered, what would actually be a game changer that makes someone up and leave after so many years of living in Thailand? In fact, I ask myself the same question all the time, but never really come up with a good answer. I believe there is an answer though. Everyone has a breaking point on everything. 

 

Would it take a major political shift? New visa rules and costs that make long stays much more challenging? Health issues that push you back towards Western healthcare? A major natural disaster? A large increase in crime? Maybe a pronounced rise in population of an undesirable immigrant group, or maybe some big environmental issue like constant flooding, excessive pollution, or earthquakes? What about if they abolished all nightlife and alcohol sales in Thailand? What if the happy ending massage was no more? Or would it be something more personal, like problems in a relationship or the simple and difficult reality of aging?

 

I suspect some people will feel there’s no scenario where they’d ever leave, no matter how bad things might ever get.
 

Curious though what others think would be the final straw that sends one packing after deciding to remain in Thailand for the duration.

[KhaoHom]

1 Debanking sure

2 Medical price increases

3 Major visa ext changes

4 Jingoism, Anti American sentiment in general population

5 Thb stronger, longer with seemingly no rebound

6 Price increases to point Thailand loses its value. Already threatening**

7 Payment of any serious amount of taxes - with nothing in return

 

#1 Stands alone. If debanked I'm gone. Rest could be a mix of the above

 

[novacova]

Be prepared for the unexpected and the worse, or have an exit plan in case things go south.

[jerrymahoney]

1 hour ago, SoCal1990 said:

I've heard plenty of retirees in Thailand who say

I haven't heard plenty of retirees in Thailand (in person) say anything about anything.

[EVENKEEL]

The main factor is money. I'm only speaking for the US where if you sold your home and don't have family to stay with, repatriating will require a solid monthly income. If rent is say $1500/mo then the landlords are going to want to see at least $5K/mo income.

[ChaiyaTH]

Todays prices mainly down south, together with a lack of good service and Thai people + prices out of the roof + strong baht, actually made me consider a lot of other places lately.

 

Nothing changed much in rural or northern Thailand with that or even Bangkok is totally fine too IMO but at the end I moved here to see beaches too.

 

Then we not even mention the visa hurdles or politics and lack of progress. 
 

To me it seems more a question of when than if or why.

[ChaiyaTH]

9 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

The main factor is money. I'm only speaking for the US where if you sold your home and don't have family to stay with, repatriating will require a solid monthly income. If rent is say $1500/mo then the landlords are going to want to see at least $5K/mo income.

For a small thai farang family in south Thailand you need that figure already too lol, if wanting to live decently and save up for the future too…

 

But with that figure one can live anywhere. A cheesy old 2 br bungalow costs me 1100$ here.

[Gandtee]

My death.

[realfunster]

1 hour ago, KhaoHom said:

1 Debanking sure

2 Medical price increases

3 Major visa ext changes

4 Jingoism, Anti American sentiment in general population

5 Thb stronger, longer with seemingly no rebound

6 Price increases to point Thailand loses its value. Already threatening**

7 Payment of any serious amount of taxes - with nothing in return

 

#1 Stands alone. If debanked I'm gone. Rest could be a mix of the above

 

That's a pretty good list.

 

1 and 7 are also creeping up on the sidelines.

Just had some silly daily transfer limit slapped on my Thai bank accounts as I am a foreigner (even with a WP/Visa) and we all know, ad nauseam, about the potential taxes on income transfers into Thailand

 

I'm still working for a few more years yet which will definitely keep me here during my working life.

Very likely I will retire here but not set in stone.

 

The only thing I would add would be a change in marital status at some point in the future.

My wife is a major reason for me staying in Thailand, if we divorced or heaven forbid, she passed away, I would consider

going back to the UK either full or part-time. I still have a good circle of family and friends back there. 

[Bday Prang]

deportation and a life ban   would be a good enough reason

[KhaoHom]

1 minute ago, realfunster said:

That's a pretty good list.

 

1 and 7 are also creeping up on the sidelines.

Just had some silly daily transfer limit slapped on my Thai bank accounts as I am a foreigner (even with a WP/Visa) and we all know, ad nauseam, about the potential taxes on income transfers into Thailand

 

I'm still working for a few more years yet which will definitely keep me here during my working life.

Very likely I will retire here but not set in stone.

 

The only thing I would add would be a change in marital status at some point in the future.

My wife is a major reason for me staying in Thailand, if we divorced or heaven forbid, she passed away, I would consider

going back to the UK either full or part-time. I still have a good circle of family and friends back there. 

 

Yes, the wife. We'll never divorce, but if she were to pass I'd be gone in a flash. That's not really on Thailand though.

 

If I were here for the p4p scene I'd be long gone. That's absolutely certain.

 

I'm already trying to work out how both of us might retire elsewhere with healthcare.

 

I would highly recommend from 2026 no one plan to retire here fully until death. If you're already here, established like me. .ok. Don't come and try to put down roots. They don't want you and it shows both in attitude and policy

[Stocky]

Zombie apocalypse 

[connda]

2 hours ago, SoCal1990 said:

I've heard plenty of retirees in Thailand who say they’re here until the end. That Thailand is where they plan to spend the rest of their life, no intention of ever moving back home, or anywhere else, no desire to ever leave, etc.

 

But I’ve always wondered, what would actually be a game changer that makes someone up and leave after so many years of living in Thailand? In fact, I ask myself the same question all the time, but never really come up with a good answer. I believe there is an answer though. Everyone has a breaking point on everything. 

 

Would it take a major political shift? New visa rules and costs that make long stays much more challenging? Health issues that push you back towards Western healthcare? A major natural disaster? A large increase in crime? Maybe a pronounced rise in population of an undesirable immigrant group, or maybe some big environmental issue like constant flooding, excessive pollution, or earthquakes? What about if they abolished all nightlife and alcohol sales in Thailand? What if the happy ending massage was no more? Or would it be something more personal, like problems in a relationship or the simple and difficult reality of aging?

 

I suspect some people will feel there’s no scenario where they’d ever leave, no matter how bad things might ever get.
 

Curious though what others think would be the final straw that sends one packing after deciding to remain in Thailand for the duration.

Most will leave like rats abandoning a ship when China reunifies Taiwan with mainland China, and the West lead by the US and its allies declare war on China.  Or?  When the West simply makes up the excuse to start a war with China that it has been promising to happen by 2030 using any lame reason other than admitting that the Empire can't let go of its hegemony, and it needs to go to war with any and all countries which outperform the US and the G7 economically..  The vehement China/Russia hating Western expats will be the first boarding the planes.  When China expands its influence into SEA and Thailand and begin to round up Westerners, most of the rest will leave, the last looking like a scene out of the fall of Hanoi. Or maybe all Westerners are forcefully deported.  

[Stocky]

7 minutes ago, connda said:

When China expands its influence into SEA and Thailand and begin to round up Westerners, most of the rest will leave, the last looking like a scene out of the fall of Hanoi.

Why? There are western expats currently living and working in China, not all westerners are fearful of the Sinosphere.

[lamyai3]

2 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

1 Debanking sure

2 Medical price increases

3 Major visa ext changes

4 Jingoism, Anti American sentiment in general population

5 Thb stronger, longer with seemingly no rebound

6 Price increases to point Thailand loses its value. Already threatening**

7 Payment of any serious amount of taxes - with nothing in return

 

#1 Stands alone. If debanked I'm gone. Rest could be a mix of the above

 

Good list. I guess the biggest concerns are 1, 3 and 7. If they implement worldwide taxation like they've said they would, it'd drive many out, or at least see them shifting to a non resident status. 

[CallumWK]

1 minute ago, lamyai3 said:

If they implemented worldwide taxation like they've said it'd drive many out, or at least have them shifting to a non resident status. 

 

Shifting to non residence status will not sort it, because you will always pay tax somewhere in the world.

 

Because you don't stay in your home country any more, doesn't mean you don't have tax residence there.

[KhaoHom]

31 minutes ago, connda said:

Most will leave like rats abandoning a ship when China reunifies Taiwan with mainland China, and the West lead by the US and its allies declare war on China.  Or?  When the West simply makes up the excuse to start a war with China that it has been promising to happen by 2030 using any lame reason other than admitting that the Empire can't let go of its hegemony, and it needs to go to war with any and all countries which outperform the US and the G7 economically..  The vehement China/Russia hating Western expats will be the first boarding the planes.  When China expands its influence into SEA and Thailand and begin to round up Westerners, most of the rest will leave, the last looking like a scene out of the fall of Hanoi. Or maybe all Westerners are forcefully deported.  

 

You are awarded the most retarded, speculative post of the morning.

 

 

Enjoy your coffee

[lamyai3]

13 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Shifting to non residence status will not sort it, because you will always pay tax somewhere in the world.

 

Because you don't stay in your home country any more, doesn't mean you don't have tax residence there.

 

I mean non resident status in Thailand - for sure that might mean reverting back to tax residence in your home country or elsewhere. Nothing in their current laws or proposals talks about taxing people who spend less than 180 days here, now or in the future. 

[CallumWK]

4 minutes ago, lamyai3 said:

 

I mean non resident status in Thailand - for sure that might mean reverting back to tax residence in your home country or elsewhere. Nothing in their current laws or proposals talks about taxing people who spend less than 180 days here, now or in the future. 

 

Your home country is always first point of taxation, and when Thailand applies worldwide taxation, doesn't necessarily mean you will pay additional tax in Thailand. There is something like DTA, which most countries have with Thailad

[FlorC]

3 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

1 Debanking sure

2 Medical price increases

3 Major visa ext changes

4 Jingoism, Anti American sentiment in general population

5 Thb stronger, longer with seemingly no rebound

6 Price increases to point Thailand loses its value. Already threatening**

7 Payment of any serious amount of taxes - with nothing in return

 

#1 Stands alone. If debanked I'm gone. Rest could be a mix of the above

 

Debanking ?  How to prove your 800k for extention?

I don't need a bank for anything else.

 

Medical price increase ?

For something major , you fly home and come back.

Forcing a real expensive insurance , that could be a deal breaker.

 

Major visa changes , usually grandfathered , so ok.

Maybe some more paper work , ok.

 

Jingoism ? If only against Americans , doesn't bother the others.

 

THB stronger , painfull , for sure but not a reason.

longer with seemingly no rebound ? unlikely .

 

Price increase ? It must be a big increase to get to western prices especially rent

and transportation. And no they are NOT already threatening depending on your lifestyle.

 

Taxes , circumventing them as much as posible.

What do you want in return for taxes ?

Citizenship ? Voting ? No big deal.

 

 

 

[unblocktheplanet]

1 hour ago, KhaoHom said:

Yes, the wife. We'll never divorce, but if she were to pass I'd be gone in a flash. That's not really on Thailand though.

 

I'm already trying to work out how both of us might retire elsewhere with healthcare.

 

I would highly recommend from 2026 no one plan to retire here fully until death. If you're already here, established like me. .ok. Don't come and try to put down roots. They don't want you and it shows both in attitude and policy

Xenophobia exists everywhere but I presume you mean Thai govt. There was a time when it was relatively easier to get permanent residency and citizenship. Now, it depends mostly upon your net worth, and you'd better be Bill Heincke!

 

Yes, in our old age, health expences are a big issue. But my wife has no desire to move to a Western country where she feels homeless and disregarded.

[KhaoHom]

Just now, FlorC said:

Debanking ?  How to prove your 800k for extention?

I don't need a bank for anything else.

 

Medical price increase ?

For something major , you fly home and come back.

Forcing a real expensive insurance , that could be a deal breaker.

 

Major visa changes , usually grandfathered , so ok.

Maybe some more paper work , ok.

 

Jingoism ? If only against Americans , doesn't bother the others.

 

THB stronger , painfull , for sure but not a reason.

longer with seemingly no rebound ? unlikely .

 

Price increase ? It must be a big increase to get to western prices especially rent

and transportation. And no they are NOT already threatening depending on your lifestyle.

 

Taxes , circumventing them as much as posible.

What do you want in return for taxes ?

Citizenship ? Voting ? No big deal.

 

 

 

 

 

First and foremost this is my list. You can make your own

 

Banking: Anything possible. They could do limits or documentation or whatever. Think you've made the mistake of believing that they actually want us here. You have more money than sense if you are living on ATM pulls at 250b a crack.

 

Many of us don't fly home for anything short timer. This is home. Moreover, if you've just had a stroke or severe heart attack possibly needing a transplant you're not hopping on a plane the next day and flying to wherever. Finally, you're not an American but American seniors have no direct access to the healthcare system as it's effectively linked to residency.

 

Almost nothing regarding visas is grandfathered. Really, nothing.

 

Jingoism. I specifically singled out into American sentiment ... Given the tens of millions of tourists that pass through here annually they could just get sick of all of us in total. It's already a bit sour in BKK.

 

THB strength. Is pure speculation on your part. We've seen the THB hit 30. There is no telling what the government might do to resolve the tariff issue internally. One thing for certain is those heady days of 97-05 weakness are long past. Only a few blips on the chart the THB peeking above 35.

 

Rents are reasonable for a reason. That cheap condo is not 120sqm but only 45. That house 50% of price at home is located in the sticks, poorly built and prone to all sorts of problems from theft to fire. Things are cheaper but they are cheap and break quickly. Food is the only thing that will remain low. Note: restaurants catering to the farang palette are just as expensive as the West from what I can see in Bangkok. * I never eat in these places.

 

I think the right to own a small plot of land and multi year residence visa at the very least. PR. Certainly not voting rights - that will never happen and I do not care as the country is a basket case

[lamyai3]

5 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Your home country is always first point of taxation, and when Thailand applies worldwide taxation, doesn't necessarily mean you will pay additional tax in Thailand. There is something like DTA, which most countries have with Thailad

 

The OP mentioned a potential new risk of high taxation in Thailand based on proposals to tax worldwide income - I agreed that it would likely cause many people to leave, at least to the point of becoming non tax resident in Thailand.

Of course they'll be subject to tax rules elsewhere, no one has suggested they wouldn't. Regarding DTAs etc, the Revenue Department has failed to make things clear at the present time, especially regarding what constitutes assessible income etc. But that's a different topic completely. 

[Bumstead]

1 hour ago, Stocky said:

Why? There are western expats currently living and working in China, not all westerners are fearful of the Sinosphere.

A few public lynchings of white people will see us all leaving 

[KhaoHom]

5 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Xenophobia exists everywhere but I presume you mean Thai govt. There was a time when it was relatively easier to get permanent residency and citizenship. Now, it depends mostly upon your net worth, and you'd better be Bill Heincke!

 

Yes, in our old age, health expences are a big issue. But my wife has no desire to move to a Western country where she feels homeless and disregarded.

 

Both government and the general vibe. It's fine now. Not trying to create a controversy when none exists. Nevertheless, I sense exhaustion. Would be one thing if the average tie was benefiting from the tourism and the mayhem but they are not... they do have to deal with the fallout.

 

I can tell you that large and even massive suitcases on the MRT at peak hours is unnerving even for me. The backpacks that are not taken off and left on the tourists backs.  This is all while the ties are basically grinding it out to and from work. When you look at their faces they are very unhappy

 

My wife is also content in Bangkok. She's got a fun job that she enjoys and is making a bit of money. She would love to move to the United States but understands what that will cost and is perfectly fine being here.

 

I'd love to see another thread open on what might be a good country or good countries to retire in with a Thai wife

 

I really don't want to go back to the United states. California is out of control and that pretty much only leaves me Florida.

 

I think we both enjoy Italy but expected to be almost expensive as the United States and full of its own problems.

[mudcat]

Certainly if my wife dies - she is younger, but not in great health some of which I attribute to the terrible diet most Thai people eat.

 

I keep track of my viability to live in the states (west coast) again - as I qualified for my LTR wealthy pensioner visa income would not be an issue and with Medicare as my re-insurer I could have my choice of medical plans for less then I pay Pacific Cross annually.  Even though here I am a 'wealthy' pensioner, in the Bay Area I qualify for a low income 55+ rental - too late to think about purchasing.

 

My income would support us relocating back to the states together but that would require that she be 65-years old to participate in Medicare which would put me at 86-years old which is nothing to plan on.

 

Taxes are not a real issue - my true gross income is approaching $100K but as a married filing jointly effective tax rate is around 6% and even as a single around 13%.  All my income (Social Security and local government pension) is exempt from Thai taxes based on the U.S.-Thai DTA.  

[Stocky]

5 minutes ago, Bumstead said:

A few public lynchings of white people will see us all leaving 

And why do think that would happen? In all my years here I've never met that level of animosity.

[KhaoHom]

1 minute ago, mudcat said:

Certainly if my wife dies - she is younger, but not in great health some of which I attribute to the terrible diet most Thai people eat.

 

I keep track of my viability to live in the states (west coast) again - as I qualified for my LTR wealthy pensioner visa income would not be an issue and with Medicare as my re-insurer I could have my choice of medical plans for less then I pay Pacific Cross annually.  Even though here I am a 'wealthy' pensioner, in the Bay Area I qualify for a low income 55+ rental - too late to think about purchasing.

 

My income would support us relocating back to the states together but that would require that she be 65-years old to participate in Medicare which would put me at 86-years old which is nothing to plan on.

 

No idea how long you been married when I say this so.. grain of salt

 

You would move your illness prone wife back to the United States and pay for her care out of pocket?

 

There's nothing wrong with the food here pal. I live on this stuff and I'm never sick. My wife lives on the stuff and she's only sick rarely with a cold type illness. Neither of us got covid

 

Is genetics or it's whatever she's eating behind your back

 

Thai food is by and large healthy and it's my opinion that it's what keeps the entire country is healthy as it is. compared to the United states, UK, Germany, most of Northern Europe, all of the Middle East, etc etc

[lamyai3]

24 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Forcing a real expensive insurance , that could be a deal breaker.

 

This is definitely a concern. 

 

27 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Major visa changes , usually grandfathered , so ok.

Maybe some more paper work , ok.

 

Changes made to the Non O-A visa a few years ago were not grandfathered in, confidence in them honouring this in the future is not high. 

[KhaoHom]

Just now, Stocky said:

And why do think that would happen? In all my years here I've never met that level of animosity.

 

Yeah, unreasonably cynical. Not funny 👍