August 3, 2025Aug 3 Popular Post This occurred to me the other day. Not only Thailand but the exact same condo in Jomtien. Longer than I lived in my home town growing up. Longer than I lived in my longest staying place during my working years. Yes, alas, I have zero prospects for even an upgrade in status to some kind of legal residency here. Of course I knew the score about that limitation moving here on retirement status. So no false advertising accusations. But still, realizing the longest staying situation now, that limitation bites harder.
August 3, 2025Aug 3 Author Popular Post 1 minute ago, WayWokeWhiteGuy said: Have you tried to become a permanent resident? Impossible for anyone who moves here starting on retirement status. You didn't know that already or are just sniping?
August 3, 2025Aug 3 Popular Post Was just discussing something similar with my mother. Q: Don't you have any plans to come *home*? A: Nope 60% of my life abroad* 50% my life in So/ E. Asia 35% of my life in Thailand 25% of my life in BKK 10% of my life in Pattaya
August 3, 2025Aug 3 7 minutes ago, WayWokeWhiteGuy said: Have you tried to become a permanent resident? Waste of time.
August 3, 2025Aug 3 Author Popular Post 10 minutes ago, KhaoHom said: Waste of time. As said, as it's literally impossible for anyone who started with (and continues with of course) retirement status, to say it's a waste of time is a gross understatement.
August 3, 2025Aug 3 1 minute ago, Jingthing said: As said, as it's literally impossible for anyone who started with (and continues with of course) retirement status, to say it's a waste of time is a gross understatement. Part of the problem is just the backlog and ridiculous and arbitrary process itself. It's like everything in Thailand. Trade policy perfect example but examples could be land ownership, farang attempts at getting SSO insurance, 5 yr licence (I lost mine), etc.. A million obstacles. Wish this was discussed in trade agreement. It's not related but many things Trump included in agreements were indirectly related. Why not? I will never be fully behind Thailand because they are not fully behind me.
August 3, 2025Aug 3 Author Popular Post 4 minutes ago, KhaoHom said: Part of the problem is just the backlog and ridiculous and arbitrary process itself. It's like everything in Thailand. Trade policy perfect example but examples could be land ownership, farang attempts at getting SSO insurance, 5 yr licence (I lost mine), etc.. A million obstacles. Wish this was discussed in trade agreement. It's not related but many things Trump included in agreements were indirectly related. Why not? I will never be fully behind Thailand because they are not fully behind me. Nothing to do with backlogs. Those starting with and continuing on retirement status can NEVER qualify for residency under the rules.
August 3, 2025Aug 3 7 minutes ago, Jingthing said: Nothing to do with backlogs. Those starting with and continuing on retirement status can NEVER qualify for residency under the rules. Backlog is years. The selection process arbitrary. I think cost is 200k as well. You never qualifed as retired. Those that do face obstacles.
August 3, 2025Aug 3 Popular Post Lived in TH about half of my adult life. From 45 to 70 yrs old. From 20 yrs old to 45 yrs old at USA, lived in 6 different states; PA, WV, NJ, MI, FL, TN. Here, TH, just 2 provinces, Udon & PKK. Although visited and slept in almost all the province in TH. What's a bit stranger is, I've never lived in any one house for more than 2 or 3 years at a time in USA, after 20 yrs old. In TH, lived longer in 1st & 2nd house, and 3 yrs already in present house, which I'll die in, than any one place in USA. Just living 3 yrs in present house is longer than any place/house I've lived in at USA. TH is more home than USA, and definitely the house at PKK, as no longer even think about being elsewhere. Unlike USA, was constantly thinking where to next. Most moves for work. Miss nothing from the USA, and if having to leave TH, really haven't a clue where I'd go, and would be nomadic, where ever it was. Living out of RV at USA probably, as no desire to set roots down anywhere there. Or start over in a different country, and just sticking with what I know.
August 3, 2025Aug 3 Popular Post 1 hour ago, Jingthing said: This occurred to me the other day. Not only Thailand but the exact same condo in Jomtien. Longer than I lived in my home town growing up. Longer than I lived in my longest staying place during my working years. Yes, alas, I have zero prospects for even an upgrade in status to some kind of legal residency here. Of course I knew the score about that limitation moving here on retirement status. So no false advertising accusations. But still, realizing the longest staying situation now, that limitation bites harder. Same situation, I've lived in Thailand more years than anywhere else (actually close to double the years I spent in farangland), and I'm almost 78 years old. I've been on retirement exts for the past couple decades. In hindsight I should have had a crack at PR in the 1990s. For 15 years in the 1980s-1990s I was employed by a prestigious organization with connections to very high up Thai officials, I had my WP and was legally married to a Thai. I can speak Thai quite well and read well too, so I ticked a lot of the requirement boxes. That was the time I should have made the move towards PR. But today not a hope in hell, not that it matters, I'm quite content doing my annual renewals.
August 3, 2025Aug 3 12 hours ago, Jingthing said: Impossible for anyone who moves here starting on retirement status. You didn't know that already or are just sniping? I did not, and do not know that.
August 3, 2025Aug 3 13 hours ago, WayWokeWhiteGuy said: Have you tried to become a permanent resident? What for?
August 3, 2025Aug 3 13 hours ago, Jingthing said: This occurred to me the other day. Not only Thailand but the exact same condo in Jomtien. Longer than I lived in my home town growing up. Longer than I lived in my longest staying place during my working years. Yes, alas, I have zero prospects for even an upgrade in status to some kind of legal residency here. Of course I knew the score about that limitation moving here on retirement status. So no false advertising accusations. But still, realizing the longest staying situation now, that limitation bites harder. Your former USA neighbors are certainly happier now.
August 3, 2025Aug 3 Author 1 hour ago, WayWokeWhiteGuy said: I did not, and do not know that. Now you do.
August 3, 2025Aug 3 15 hours ago, Jingthing said: This occurred to me the other day. Not only Thailand but the exact same condo in Jomtien. How long did you end up staying in Central America for when you moved there ?
August 3, 2025Aug 3 Correction - lived longer on this forum than any other place in your life mansplaining
August 4, 2025Aug 4 Popular Post I moved to Asia when I was 40. I'll be 79 at my next birthday. When asked 'When will you come home,' I reply, "I am home." I've been in Thailand for 25 years. No plans to leave.
August 4, 2025Aug 4 20 hours ago, Jingthing said: Longer than I lived in my longest staying place Same here. I bought my first house in Sydney in my early 20's, I moved around, buying a house in several locations then moved to Thailand. I bought my first house in Pattaya 2002 be living in it ever since. Over 20 years in the same home.
August 5, 2025Aug 5 On 8/3/2025 at 11:04 AM, Jingthing said: This occurred to me the other day. Not only Thailand but the exact same condo in Jomtien. Longer than I lived in my home town growing up. Longer than I lived in my longest staying place during my working years. Yes, alas, I have zero prospects for even an upgrade in status to some kind of legal residency here. Of course I knew the score about that limitation moving here on retirement status. So no false advertising accusations. But still, realizing the longest staying situation now, that limitation bites harder. do you qualify for the LTR? 10 years, less paperwork, easier paperwork IMHO, do all online with BOI who have a friendly staff.
August 5, 2025Aug 5 Author 8 minutes ago, Presnock said: do you qualify for the LTR? 10 years, less paperwork, easier paperwork IMHO, do all online with BOI who have a friendly staff. No.
August 5, 2025Aug 5 Came here in October 1982, when I was 19 years old and have been here ever since. Been retired for just over 1 year.
August 5, 2025Aug 5 Popular Post At 76 and here permanently since late 2015, Thailand is home. My Khmer b/f & his family are my family now, despite the vast cultural, linguistic & educational gaps between us. I do everything I can to help them (mostly just money flow and a floor to sleep on in current circumstances - they wouldn't dream of sleeping on the lovely clean soft beds!). Though I maintain contacts with friends in Oz (and read The Australian every day) and family in NZ, I have no wish or need ever to visit there again.
August 5, 2025Aug 5 Popular Post 18 years in the same condo in Jomtien. Longer than anywhere in my life. More by financial necessity than by choice but it is what it is. Could have been a lot worse. Could have retired to DUbuque, Iowa
August 5, 2025Aug 5 On 8/3/2025 at 11:04 AM, Jingthing said: Of course I knew the score about that limitation moving here on retirement status. So no false advertising accusations. But still, realizing the longest staying situation now, that limitation bites harder. What limitation? Because becoming a passport carrying Thai national and/or permanent residency is an extremely difficult, lengthy and arduous process? So what. There are any number of variations of visas available, chief among which, for me, is the Non-O based on retirement which can be extended annually once a year, indefinitely. What more do you want? How exactly does that "bite harder"?
August 5, 2025Aug 5 On 8/3/2025 at 11:04 AM, Jingthing said: This occurred to me the other day. Not only Thailand but the exact same condo in Jomtien. Longer than I lived in my home town growing up. Longer than I lived in my longest staying place during my working years. Yes, alas, I have zero prospects for even an upgrade in status to some kind of legal residency here. Of course I knew the score about that limitation moving here on retirement status. So no false advertising accusations. But still, realizing the longest staying situation now, that limitation bites harder. But you DO have "some kind of legal residency here" You have a legal visa and if you fulfill the requirements, can stay for the rest of your life. I hope this is your biggest problem, because if it is ... you are "living the dream" !!!
August 5, 2025Aug 5 44 minutes ago, JustinTyme said: But you DO have "some kind of legal residency here" You have a legal visa and if you fulfill the requirements, can stay for the rest of your life. I hope this is your biggest problem, because if it is ... you are "living the dream" !!! I agree, from the US too, contact regularly - I have been retired here since 2005 but in Thailand for more than 30 years - based on my conversations with friends and relatives in the US, I definitely feel like I am in paradise compared to life there for too many people.
August 5, 2025Aug 5 Author 1 hour ago, Cat Boy said: What limitation? Because becoming a passport carrying Thai national and/or permanent residency is an extremely difficult, lengthy and arduous process? So what. There are any number of variations of visas available, chief among which, for me, is the Non-O based on retirement which can be extended annually once a year, indefinitely. What more do you want? How exactly does that "bite harder"? Talking specifically about retirement extensions. No path to permanent residence from that status. What bites is lack of longer than one year residence security. Immigration can change the rules for retirement extensions at any moment and changes will always shake out some people. It's obviously much more desirable to not be subject to annual applications.
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