19 hours ago, Jingthing said:

O visa no health insurance required.

The majority of people doing annual retirement extensions started with O visas. Not OA visas.

Its not harder for most in the system. 

The article is very misleading.

Agreed. The "article" implies the 800,000 baht retirement Visa is replaced by the LTV when it isn't at all. I can't think of 1 fundamental visa rule that has changed in the 20 plus years I've lived here.

31 minutes ago, Zack61 said:

Whilst these requirements make Cambodia an attractive option for retirees, surely it must also be a very attractive option for every undesirable looking for a safe haven outside their own country.

I’m not sure it’s a sustainable model going forward and eventually it will impact on your expected lifestyle in that country. Be careful what you wish for. It won’t be long before you are surrounded by a massive influx of undesirables à la Phuket and a few other places in Thailand. 

 

The minimum age of 50 for a retirement extension may go some way to alleviating that and the relative lack of infrastructure in Cambodia will also help..

21 hours ago, redwood1 said:

Folks the message is clear.....

 

Very wealthy people and the stinking rich are are all very good people,they are all very kind and generous people who who would all give you the shirt off their back....They are all wonderful people every last one of them...

 

Where as middle income people or people who are honest hardworking who have saved wisely for a comfortable retirement but are not stinking rich.......

Well these people are not quality people....All of these people are low life dirty people who are just barely tolerated....

 

So in a nut shell

 

The Very rich are all quality people...

And Middle income people are just not quality people.. 

 

Despite your intent at sarcasm, there is actually some truth in the statements.The wealthy are not the people who stiff the hospitals for payment because they  do not have  money. They are not the people who are jumping from buildings or getting jammed up in harbrained schemes.

The wealthy people have the financial means to hire th  estate workers like groundskeepers, maids, cooks and drivers.They are the people who are spending big money at the shops and restaurants. And no, a 500 baht meal is not a  profitable item. A 5,000 baht meal is.

The reality is that the people you seek to champion really cannot afford the lifestyle that generates financial benefits to Thailand. yes, they spend, but it is a marginal spend that barely covers the cost of goods and services consumed.

18 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Though this is a pretty easy workaround by getting the right type of retirement visa and not having to have compulsory health insurance, that doesn't change the fact that immigration is fairly obnoxious here. 

 

Perhaps ex-pats should be given a bit more credit, in this formula? We do bring in alot of stable income.  Even the rural folks benefit. Alot of the nicer houses in the poorer farming areas were built with money from expats. Alot of trucks, cars and income is from expats. Countless business employing many. To say it is insignificant, is a blatant misunderstanding of Thai economics. Thousands of hotels, restaurants, countless airlines and many tour companies, also benefit.

 

By comparison, an average ex-pat spends how much per month? I would say alot of us spend 50,000 to upwards of 100,000 baht a month. I know I do. No value in that? I know some live on less. However, since the average GDP of the nation is around $570, that means about 20,000 baht a month?

 

I think xenophobia is utterly rampant, in all segments of the government here, from the feds right on down to the local amphur. However, I do not think most Thai people are that way. I think most either like us, or are indifferent to us. Which I can handle. 

 

To the contrary, I think ex-pats should be treated with the kind of respect and acknowledgement we deserve.

 

We have decided to change our policies, as we now realize how much you guys bring to the table. An immigration officer will now come to your home to renew your visa, to show our appreciation, of your continued support. You will only be required to sign one form, and we will give you a five year, multiple entry visa. Free of charge. And we will include a 10,000 baht voucher, good for any hotel in the country, for one year. 

 

Princely treatment. Thank you so much for helping to rescue our economy and our people.

We appreciate it, and aim to show it for a change! We are past the era of thugs like the big joke. And we apologize for all of his abuse. We realize we have been moving the country backwards. And Covid has given us all some time to reflect.

 

So we are going to start changing things, and attempt to move the nation forward, instead of backwards.

Ripvanwinkle just woke up 

 

Middle-class retirees?? Hahaha. More like the dreggs of the earth.

On 8/15/2025 at 10:43 PM, redwood1 said:

The Very rich are all quality people...

And Middle income people are just not quality people.. 

 

That's right.

Your value as a human being is DIRECTLY tied to your bank account.

Sad that you needed Thai immigration to point this out to you. 

 

On 8/16/2025 at 2:42 AM, Wrwest said:

American and my Plan B is Southern Mexico.

there's no cartels there? 

On 8/16/2025 at 3:06 AM, thjames007 said:

Why you run this story every month. 

 

Because they figure AN readers have a short attention span and won't remember. 

 

1 hour ago, kiwikeith said:

Countless business employing many. To say it is insignificant, is a blatant misunderstanding of Thai economics. [...]

 

By comparison, an average ex-pat spends how much per month? I would say alot of us spend 50,000 to upwards of 100,000 baht a month. I know I do. No value in that? I know some live on less. However, since the average GDP of the nation is around $570, that means about 20,000 baht a month?

 

I think xenophobia is utterly rampant, in all segments of the government here, from the feds right on down to the local amphur. 

I agree with you that the average Thai, one who has some connection to a foreigner living here is - perhaps subconsciously - financially grateful we (middle class, not riff raff) are here for long stay. As employers, as customers, as renters. But regarding the highlighted parts, there is an historic suspiciousness about Westerners on the part of the Thai-Chinese merchant class who run much, if not the vast majority, of the economy - from owners of mom/pop shops, gas stations, convenience and hardware stores on up to the ultra-rich families who own all the medium-to-upscale hotels, offices, land, restaurants, financial services, etc. 

 

I don't mean this in a racial way - I have nothing against Chinese ethnicity, my own spouse is part Chinese Thai - it's just a fact. So, by extension, the people that make up the rules (about our presence here - that you refer to) are usually somehow related to that multi-generational ethnic group and, in any case, they are also within that mindset. We are seen as potential competition to their families if we try to start a business, so we are to be watched closely - and kept on a tight leash - particularly as foreign retirees on 1 year extensions - just loose enough to allow us spend at least 2 or 3 times as much as local Thais from foreign money brought in from abroad, but not in a position to legally run a small business that could one day expand into competition - ask the American guy who tried and failed decades ago, so then managed to get a Thai passport (no more need for any local partnerships) and is now one of the 'Thai' oligarchs.

 

On the bright side, if you lived here long enough, you'd know that it is slowly changing for the better, despite all the uncertainty and keystone cop nature of declarations. In the past, 25 years ago, foreigners legally married to Thai women meant their spouse could not own land in their name - not at all. Now they can, in their married name, but the foreigner has no claim to it. If she dies, the foreigner can continue to live in it, but must sell within a certain time limit (I think 1 year) - not sure who gets the proceeds. After the financial crash of the late 90's, the Thai government allowed foreigners to buy condos (up to 49% of the building's habitable floor space), a rule that is still in place today (and really needs to be given the over-build of condos.)

20 hours ago, Luka77 said:

It make Vietnam my prefer place.

Expat retirees are not legally allowed to own a car in VN.

 

So "no thanks" if a car is needed for freedom and convenience to explore VN.

On 8/16/2025 at 3:47 AM, bkk6060 said:

Same negative nonsense about Thailand for the past 10 years yet in my opinion, it is the best place by far of any of the other countries listed.

Yes  since 10 year we go down, in minimum for pattaya,pattaya is only a shadow of its self compare to 20+ years ago

 

i already bought 2017 home in other country,and spend only 5-6 month per year in thi ( so happy but 2024 it changed all to negativ and quick,cncelling residences for low incomers and renters,exploding proces and burocratie)

 

because of all the changes here in thai. it no choice that i return here for all year

 

My plan , i looking for another country to stay and buy a property , keep my thai asset still for winter holiday and  the home i bought outside 2017 i will bring it up for sale next year, if nothing change

 

This world is getting  nearly everywhere more bad, and thailand follow this trend, pattaya is on brink of collaps (yes i know now comming the people say its booming go open your eyes you find day by day shop closures, and 10 close only 1-2 open new)

 

 

On 8/16/2025 at 4:03 AM, Hamus Yaigh said:

AN the hub of alarmist nonsense. 18 years on retirement extensions and counting.

to belive its grandfatherd hmm

 

until 2003/04 i had an investment visa based on 3m thb

it was adjusted to 10mb under taxsin

my was grandfatherd  - but under new  (special) condition

taxsin introduced the 0%  intrest policy ( at this time deposits 6-7%)

--new condition whitdrall money from BBL put to GHB at 0% ( only govermentbanks was accepted)

so if  keep the visa would cost me at this time 3mb :100x7= aprox 200.000

i f... the visa

..and  6 month later, the 0% policy for foreigners was revoked

 

thank you ,so far to grandfatherd, nothing here or anywhere is sure

 

PS i have driving licence since 97 here, this year firsttime i get only 2 years ooh wait my mistake i made in march.---i idiot why not waited until now -- they scraped  the law order idea?? now, i would get 5 year again---just one pitch here.

CAN the Thai government shoot their foot with even bigger guns? can they continue to bite the hands that brought in billions of baht over the years only for now to say: well, we don't think we need you any longer, and now you lot are kinda not so welcome here unless so and so and so, and looking at the recent restrictions that have imposed on the farang crowd, those policy makers do mean business.

6 hours ago, Zack61 said:

Whilst these requirements make Cambodia an attractive option for retirees, surely it must also be a very attractive option for every undesirable looking for a safe haven outside their own country.

I’m not sure it’s a sustainable model going forward and eventually it will impact on your expected lifestyle in that country. Be careful what you wish for. It won’t be long before you are surrounded by a massive influx of undesirables à la Phuket and a few other places in Thailand. 

 

What makes you desirable?

During my very long stay on annual retirement extensions based on an O not OA visa there were two (maybe three?) very negative changes to the rules but both were years ago and nothing recent for those already in the system. My understanding is that it is harder to start on that status now largely related to Thai banks being difficult and also Thai immigration being more difficult with change of status applications to an O visa done in Thailand (probably an office dependent thing).

 

Anyway the two (three?) previous big changes. The third one about combo method might be more like unintended consequences of the first two.

 

Thai immigration ordered embassies to guarantee that income affidavit letters were based on strong evidence  instead of just verifying signatures.  Some embassies naturally balked at that and cut off issuing the letters forcing income based extensions to be done only with proven MONTHLY transfers into Thailand. Some are saying that's the embassies fault. Considering this, that is wrong. If Thai immigration hadn't made a stink about what they were demanding the affidavits to be based on, there would have been no reason for the embassies to stop them as they were rather a cash cow for them.

 

For those using the 800K bank method a very big negative change in seasoning requirements.

Previous to the big change the rule was three months before extension to not under 800K but you could drain down to one baht the rest of the year.
The changed rules:

800K -- two months before

800K -- three months after

Not under 400K for the rest of the year

 

Combination method -- that was never accepted by all offices and still isn't, and on top of that, trying a combo application got more complicated without an affidavit letter.

 

The article remains misleading.

However, I think someone said there haven't been any negative changes over many years, and that isn't true either.

3 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

 

Despite your intent at sarcasm, there is actually some truth in the statements.The wealthy are not the people who stiff the hospitals for payment because they  do not have  money. They are not the people who are jumping from buildings or getting jammed up in harbrained schemes.

The wealthy people have the financial means to hire th  estate workers like groundskeepers, maids, cooks and drivers.They are the people who are spending big money at the shops and restaurants. And no, a 500 baht meal is not a  profitable item. A 5,000 baht meal is.

The reality is that the people you seek to champion really cannot afford the lifestyle that generates financial benefits to Thailand. yes, they spend, but it is a marginal spend that barely covers the cost of goods and services consumed.

1.  The majority of unpaid hospital bills are not from retirees.

 

2.  Amazing that you know the financial situation of all the “jumpers”.

 

3.  If a 500 baht meal wasn’t profitable, the restaurant would go out of business.   The restaurants selling 500 baht meals are happy to get customers.  The percentage of restaurants that charge 5000 baht for a meal is a rounding error.

 

4.  To say that people who spend 60-100k a month aren’t generating financial benefits to Thailand is ridiculous.   By that measure, 99% of Thais would be considered financial drains on their country.

 

Finally..

 

Wealthy, cultured people aren’t really interested in Thailand.  The wealthy have choices that are far more appealing.   Face it….99% of retirees are here because it’s affordable.   I can’t think of any reason a wealthy person would want to live here.

 

Tell us all about your groundskeepers, maids, cooks and drivers while you’re at it so that we may bask in the splendor of your privileged life.

3 hours ago, save the frogs said:

there's no cartels there? 

Southern Mexico, a lot different than further North. Cannot say if there are no cartels there. as I did with Thailand I would go "case' some cities first.

MY quibble with the headline is:

I wouldn't call Thailand a retirement paradise!

I wouldn't call it hell either!

It's the same as many other countries for retirees I think.

Everchanging rules, permanent uncertainty and complications with banks, government etc in country of birth.

You might ask what keeps me here - she does - otherwise I'm long gone.

23 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

 

Maybe this article made sense in the original German?

 

https://www.wochenblitz.com/

Good point.  I wondered that myself.  Had to read the very last nine of the post to discover it's just a cut paste from a German rag.  "it means nothing". 

I’m  now looking at relocating to the Philippines even though I have invested well over 20 million baht into the Kingdom . As ex military I can apply for a special visa the application costs 1,500 $ however it is refundable if you leave the Philippines on a permanent basses or if you die it is paid into your estate and as ex military my yearly renewal for the visa is 10$ on top of this my UK OAP will no longer be frozen so if I was residing there today I would be receiving £2,000 more per year that alone would help to cover a small apartment rent ! Sadly Thailand feel no longer a welcome country for foreigners looking to settle here long term . When I arrived here in 2005 it was 74 baht to the £ today it’s 43 to the £ and daily living costs have increased so much so that the average Thai struggles financially ! If the taxation comes into force then I will definitely spend my time beteen the Philippines and Thailand however as I’m a UK taxpayer there is an agreement in place that should exempt me from Thai taxes 

On 8/16/2025 at 10:41 AM, baansgr said:

They have quote the wrong figures. Look for yourselfe, that is the lowest amount required for ex military ofdicers

I’m in the process of applying as ex military my yearly visa renewal will be $10 as a single person it is $800 pension per month more if married no health insurance required however getting all the paperwork together is time consuming the application is $1,500 which is refunded should you permanently leave the Philippines or if you die it’s is paid into your estate the bonus for me is that my UK pension is no longer frozen which today would pay me £2,000 more per year !

8 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

I’m in the process of applying as ex military my yearly visa renewal will be $10 as a single person it is $800 pension per month more if married no health insurance required however getting all the paperwork together is time consuming the application is $1,500 which is refunded should you permanently leave the Philippines or if you die it’s is paid into your estate the bonus for me is that my UK pension is no longer frozen which today would pay me £2,000 more per year !

Yes, ideal situation for you and those in the same position, well worth the effort applying.

25 minutes ago, Negita43 said:

MY quibble with the headline is:

I wouldn't call Thailand a retirement paradise!

I wouldn't call it hell either!

It's the same as many other countries for retirees I think.

Everchanging rules, permanent uncertainty and complications with banks, government etc in country of birth.

You might ask what keeps me here - she does - otherwise I'm long gone.

 

I agree with everything you said, except that I consider Thailand to be Hell. 

Apparently, some would prefer a similar situation to that of the UK, where millions of illegals have invaded the country.

Just now, cooked said:

Apparently, some would prefer a similar situation to that of the UK, where millions of illegals have invaded the country.

 

I prefer complete lockdowns of borders, and huge fines, deportation and/or imprisonment to those who choose to continue to break immigration laws. 

2 hours ago, Nemises said:

Expat retirees are not legally allowed to own a car in VN.

 

So "no thanks" if a car is needed for freedom and convenience to explore VN.

Hmmmm. so my 2021 Hyundai, two motorcycles and Vietnamese Drivers license in my name are a figment of my imagination??   Where do you get your information??  Unlike Thailand, foreigners can own property in Vietnam if they are building a house on it, albeit a very small plot - and it’s not an easy task, but possible, also you can lease property for 50 years in Vietnam vice 30 in Thailand.  The downside is Vietnam has no visa or extension of stay for retirees, drastically reduced during Covid and not recovered - YET.. 

The article is BS.

But it would be a good idea to this out the farang herd a bit.

And let’s face it, it the less well off ones that cause most of the issues and generally don’t employ staff etc.

22 hours ago, biggles45 said:

I have had the Philippine Retirement Visa for 14 years and I have NEVER visited an Immigration office. No 90 day reporting, no change of Res reporting, no fines, no exit requirements, just come and go as you like. 

The SRRV is handled by a semi-govt authority, the PRA. You get a Member card, which you renew every 2 years at THEIR office. 

Your term deposit is held by the bank of your choice until you cancel

Futher info Google PRA Philippines 

 

Boring country with no real culture, bland food, no good music and more dangerous

45 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

I agree with everything you said, except that I consider Thailand to be Hell. 

So why stay here?

16 hours ago, freedomnow said:

I stand by what I say.

There will simpy be so many wanting to retire in LoS that it will become suppy/demand and how high they can put the bar soon enough.

Like I said, they may grandfather in people at the rate they are at and put new applicants through a higher threshold hoop. 

No problem, we all may have different opinions. I just can't see it. If anything, I think the financial requirements may be lowered instead, because of the strong baht compared to when the financial requirements were set in the first place.

Maybe 600k and 50k income. That would attract more retirees to live in Thailand.

Time will show.