Son needs a Visa to help care for his Father in Pattaya

[AgMech Cowboy]

On 7/31/2025 at 9:10 AM, couchpotato said:

Probably better for the father to go home and be cared for there, and then no need for any visas for father or son.

Nah, the cost in the US is absolutely horrendous.  I wish him the best, because it's a tough situation. 

Now, my question is, doesn't the son have a job he needs to go back to in the US?  No one needs to answer that.  It's just a hypothetical question.

[jcmj]

Well this definitely brings up the fact that they need to have some sort of special visa for this exact reason. The retirees are getting older by the day and this can happen without any notice. Plus No one knows how long this will last. He may get better sooner than expected or it may take longer. There should be an option. Having a family member there after you just went through a major medical issue. My only issue is that one person that tries to use this as a get around, but if checks are in place, this could be feasible. Good luck to the family. 

[Wake Up1]

On 7/31/2025 at 11:22 AM, ThreeCardMonte said:

Broke is fine.  MediCAID is for broke people. 
 

Also, was unaware Pattaya had a nursing home.

Your intentions are probably good. But you have never seen a Medicaid accepted nursing home.  I would rather live on Pattaya beach that use a Medicaid facility. 

[Mark1969]

4 hours ago, Wake Up1 said:

Your intentions are probably good. But you have never seen a Medicaid accepted nursing home.  I would rather live on Pattaya beach that use a Medicaid facility. 

They are terrible and rife with abuse and poorly paid staff. It's common for the residents to turn on each other and poor supervision means people get victimized by other residents. So bad in fact that those stuck there are usually without family. If they have any family at all who visits they end up removing them from the facility, even if it means just moving into a spare room.

[DrJack54]

Off topic post re USA health care removed.

 

[impulse]

On 7/31/2025 at 9:56 AM, DrJack54 said:

The son could consider a DTV perhaps soft power option. 

The old ED visa would provide a year. 

A METV would provide 9 months + 

 

DTV was my first thought.  I'd suggest contacting an agency to smooth out the wrinkles...  They may coordinate with the facility caring for his father.

 

On that note, are there any recommendations from people who have gone the DTV route through a good agent?

 

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, impulse said:

On that note, are there any recommendations from people who have gone the DTV route through a good agent?

Agents for DTV range from full option to agents that advise/assist with advice, guidance.

The full package involves transportation+ accommodation etc .

Just my opinion ...suggest do the main part of DTV yourself and use agent (if you want ) for checking application requirements etc.

Partly depends on the DTV option you opt for. 

[impulse]

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Agents for DTV range from full option to agents that advise/assist with advice, guidance.

The full package involves transportation+ accommodation etc .

Just my opinion ...suggest do the main part of DTV yourself and use agent (if you want ) for checking application requirements etc.

Partly depends on the DTV option you opt for. 

 

Agreed.  The main reason I suggested using an agent is that the guy in the OP seems to be running out of time, and the risk of failure isn't an option.  Not an enviable position.  I'd suggest trying DIY first if he had more time.

 

[DrJack54]

9 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Agreed.  The main reason I suggested using an agent is that the guy in the OP seems to be running out of time, and the risk of failure isn't an option.  Not an enviable position.  I'd suggest trying DIY first if he had more time.

 

Actually the OP is asking on behalf of the guys son.

The father is in hospice care and stated good care.

The son in not needed.

He can obtain a METV in few days and stay in Thailand for 9 months plus.

Thinking the thread has easy instant options if the son want to come for moral support.

 

[ThreeCardMonte]

7 hours ago, Wake Up1 said:

Your intentions are probably good. But you have never seen a Medicaid accepted nursing home.  I would rather live on Pattaya beach that use a Medicaid facility. 

True. But that wasn’t the question.

 

Best to avoid getting into that situation in the first place by being financially secure .

[Rob Browder]

1 hour ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

Best to avoid getting into that situation in the first place by being financially secure

... and no surprises in life, completely beyond one's control, which mess up that plan.  But, thankfully, even those who hit some bumps in the road have places like Thailand to retire, including nursing-care if needed, at a fraction the cost of the USA.

[ThreeCardMonte]

22 minutes ago, Rob Browder said:

... and no surprises in life, completely beyond one's control, which mess up that plan.  But, thankfully, even those who hit some bumps in the road have places like Thailand to retire, including nursing-care if needed, at a fraction the cost of the USA.

Surprised in life can be minimal by adequate insurance AND cash reserves.

 

Agree about fraction of the cost for healthcare and long term care in Thailand.

I would never pay the outrageous price for Long Term Insurance in America.

 

Rather hire Two qualified nurses in Thailand.

 

But one still needs cash reserves.  I know, a foreign concept to many living on edge in Thailand.

 

 

[impulse]

7 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

The father is in hospice care and stated good care.

The son in not needed.

 

I think you may be underestimating the complexity just of paying for that kind of care from overseas.  And you're assuming that hospice care happens the way you want it to happen even if there's nobody competent around to see what's going on and make decisions that the patient may not be able to. 

[DrJack54]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

I think you may be underestimating the complexity just of paying for that kind of care from overseas.

I have posted earlier that the son has easy options to come to Thailand. 

An obvious one is METV = 9 months. 

Even visa exempt + border bounce or two. 

Provides plenty of time to sort out next step. 

 

[DrJack54]

USA politics post removed. 

Posts, re us health care will be removed. 

[Mark1969]

A lot of the time what they are weighing behind the scenes is inheritance stuff. Even if they can afford care at home, they decide to not pay what they are able in order to leave more money to family, figuring their time is short. Add to that they may be getting a bit older and not inclined to be ontop of the finances and bankbook like they once were.

 

In my experience it's very rare for money and inheritance factors to not enter in some form.

 

I had a relative in assisted living and it was very common for residents there to start gifting what money they had early (likely as a way of keeping family around and not pulling away as they got older).

 

What typically happened was the gifter needing the money later on as the home kept increasing fees for care. That put the people who were gifted in a position of having to return the money later on. Some could not afford to do so as they had spent the money, causing all sorts of family squabbles concerning who was going to pay what and how much. Then one sibling providing more support either through location or willingness therefore getting more money then others as compensation, etc. A real rabbit hole.

[MarkBR]

10 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Agents for DTV range from full option to agents that advise/assist with advice, guidance.

The full package involves transportation+ accommodation etc .

Just my opinion ...suggest do the main part of DTV yourself and use agent (if you want ) for checking application requirements etc.

Partly depends on the DTV option you opt for. 

My friend who just got a DTV used Siam Legal.

[DrJack54]

18 minutes ago, MarkBR said:

My friend who just got a DTV used Siam Legal.

Yes they are a legal mob. 

They also provide general information. 

I find very clear. Here is one outlining DTV. 

 

Destination Thailand Visa | DTV Visa Thailand 2025 | ThaiEmbassy.com https://share.google/54IvgNLGqmMXKgSiV

[buick]

On 7/31/2025 at 4:03 AM, Liquorice said:

If the Father's condition improved to the point he could fly back to the US, then that may be a better solution, perhaps for all the family.

It's difficult for the son to stay long term, no easy Immigration solutions.

 

 

Immigration order 327/2557. Section 2.25

 

Any letter must confirm a physician requested your aid in the care of your Father, additionally the US Embassy may be able to assist.

 

thanks for the addtl info on the immigration clause.  the son will be following up with the nursing home staff soon.  he was a bit surprised at how quickly immigration put him on notice:  'you need visa'.  but most of us here on this site are not surprised.

 

the Father had a stroke.  a maid found him in his room, he'd been in there for a couple days.  he can't really talk, was on a feeding tube for weeks, now off the tube.  he does recognize his son and a close friend that is here, he was able to say the friend's name.

 

if this clause won't apply,  the METV seems to be a fairly simple solution.               

[buick]

On 7/31/2025 at 10:32 PM, Briggsy said:

Since the 35-year-old son doesn't seem to be working, an Elite visa would resolve all issues. It's only 650,000 Baht.

 

the son is a teacher in the US.  has a university degree in education.  he took leave to help with his father.  it's probably a little early to jump on the Elite visa.

[buick]

19 hours ago, Mark1969 said:

Does the father want to stay in Thailand at all?

 

If money is not an issue, what benefits are there to staying in Thailand if he can afford care in the home country close to family? He would be inside most of the time anyway so it's not as if he will be out and about much enjoying Thailand.

 

 

 

the father had a stroke and isn't able to talk.  his desires are unknown, although friends suggest he'd prefer to stay in Thailand based on conversations they had on this topic over the years.  he's been in thailand for 20+ years.

[DrJack54]

8 minutes ago, buick said:

....the METV seems to be a fairly simple solution

It is relatively easy to obtain METV on the e-Visa platform. 

 

As pointed out earlier he also has option if flying to Thailand visa exempt and being stamped in for 60 days. 

That can be extended at immigration for another 30.

He can then border bounce for another 60 visa exempt entry. 

6 months without a visa. 

Sweet option also. 

[buick]

19 hours ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

Nah, the cost in the US is absolutely horrendous.  I wish him the best, because it's a tough situation. 

Now, my question is, doesn't the son have a job he needs to go back to in the US?  No one needs to answer that.  It's just a hypothetical question.

 

the son is a teacher in the US. university degree in education.  at some point, he may consider a teaching position in thailand but that decision is a ways out.  the father had a stroke and can't talk so not much for the son to do except sit with his dad for a couple hrs a day.  he will need something to keep himself occupied at some point.  he's been here a little over 90 days now.

[Sophon]

6 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

It is relatively easy to obtain METV on the e-Visa platform. 

 

As pointed out earlier he also has option if flying to Thailand visa exempt and being stamped in for 60 days. 

That can be extended at immigration for another 30.

He can then border bounce for another 60 visa exempt entry. 

6 months without a visa. 

Sweet option also. 

 

He is already in Thailand and have been doing visa runs with pushback from immigration on his latest entry.

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, buick said:

he will need something to keep himself occupied at some point.  he's been here a little over 90 days now.

The son is already in Thailand and has been here over 90 days??. 

How did he enter Thailand? 

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, Sophon said:

 

He is already in Thailand and have been doing visa runs with pushback from immigration on his latest entry.

Ok... Ignore my post above. 

Missed the info you just pointed out. 

He could still remain in Thailand using safe entry services via air. 

Fly to somewhere and return using safe entry. 

 

https://www.facebook.com/share/1V4UMpb27x/ 

[buick]

11 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

It is relatively easy to obtain METV on the e-Visa platform. 

 

As pointed out earlier he also has option if flying to Thailand visa exempt and being stamped in for 60 days. 

That can be extended at immigration for another 30.

He can then border bounce for another 60 visa exempt entry. 

6 months without a visa. 

Sweet option also. 

 

he has done the first 60+30, flew to Hanoi, and is now on his 60 day.  will do the +30.  so he's got some time as he just returned from Hanoi this week.  when he returned, the IO told him he needed a visa so that got this ball rolling, being new to thailand, he wasn't well versed on the 'rules'.   probably time for the METV.  but he'll talk with the nursing home staff to see about this immigration clause 2.25 discussed herein.

[buick]

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Ok... Ignore my post above. 

Missed the info you just pointed out. 

He could still remain in Thailand using safe entry services via air. 

Fly to somewhere and return using safe entry. 

 

right, i did tell him about the safe entry and informed him of carrying cash and a flight out in order to minimize risk of  getting denied entry.  obviously safe entry is a great option if he decides to try one more visa exempt.

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, buick said:

....when he returned, the IO told him he needed a visa so that got this ball rolling, being new to thailand, he wasn't well versed on the 'rules'.   probably time for the METV.

Regards link to safe entry services I posted above... Here is recent thread on that option. 

Cost approx 4500b and would buy him some time to plan next steps. 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1364034-has-anyone-used-friendly-thai-visa’s-airport-safe-entry-service-only-real-experiences-plz/

 

[BusyB]

On 7/31/2025 at 4:17 AM, Mark1969 said:

Only if he is well insured in the US. Without it he is broke in the US.

 

And transportable ...