2 minutes ago, NONG CHOK said:

One of the biggest problems with expats is they live like tourists. If you plan to live in Thailand make sure you plan the way your going to live and stick to it. My wife comes from a large family in Korat, we have a family re union every year and I pay for the food and the booze. I've never been asked for money nor would I give it. I explained this to my wife so she can pass the word on if this were to happen.

I live like a tourist. I do exactly the same things I would as a tourist.

I think you are mixing tourists up with something else.

3 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

1550 posts in 11 weeks. All childish drivel. You sure are sad.

Projecting again?

I told you that you liked me. Looking at my profile and generally checking me out. Weirdo.

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

As the cringe cliche says -- it is what it is.

At the very least, we seem to agree on what is 100-percent cringe, in this case.

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

If you noticed, millions of Thais enjoy their music, festivals, concerts, music on TV, music competitions, and there are many Thai singers who copy western music, although not too well, but their own style sounds okay. Music is but one of life's good pleasures that enriches the soul.

Yes but you enjoy then move on. Music is just sound. You don't need it to be happy. I nearly missed a train stop due to headphones.

1 minute ago, Rockyroad said:

Yes but you enjoy then move on. Music is just sound. You don't need it to be happy. I nearly missed a train stop due to headphones.

Millions of people find much happiness in music, and it's likely saved many lives. I know I wouldn't want to be deaf.

12 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

I don't want to live the same year 85 times.

Certainly seems like you are repeating something... Change the record.

2 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

Projecting again?

I told you that you liked me. Looking at my profile and generally checking me out. Weirdo.

1550 posts in 11 weeks. Non stop childish drivel. You must be really dumb and have no self awareness. No surprise you can't name 1 band you like or 1 person that likes you. You're a sad little man on a computer.

1 minute ago, IsmeUno said:

Certainly seems like you are repeating something... Change the record.

What are your hobbies outside here?

5 hours ago, wil iam not said:

It has been 800k or 65k per month since I can remember.

Not exactly.

There was a MASSIVE onerous change years ago for the bank method.

Full seasoning required for five months of the year and never under 400k for the rest.

That has tripped up a lot of people.

Also quite often depending on office there are "surprises" demanding paperwork they never demanded before. Pain in the arse.

1 minute ago, Rockyroad said:

No surprise you can't name 1 band you lile or 1 person that likes you.

Do you like lists and counting?

I don't want to be disrespectful to people with mental illness... have you been diagnosed? Are you on any kind of medication? Be honest.

2 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

What are your hobbies outside here?

Sorry mate, but I'm not going to date you. I have a girlfriend.

5 hours ago, Felt 35 said:

Good post Jingthing. However, this is nothing new, it is a fact but shines somewhat a little more clearly through the politics that are being pursued here now compared to before and for many, myself included, I think it becomes more and more apparent as we get older how little human value we have here, when we think back on the life that has been here and the short chapter that remains.

Felt

True,

Nothing new.

But not everyone has heard or absorbed the message yet.

At the time I retired I wasn't aware of even one other choice that I was qualified for back then. As I knew I liked Thailand, the "choice" was super easy.

However, with what I know today based on the residence insecurity alone I would advice others AGAINST Thailand IF they qualify for another country that they like that does offer residence security. My opinion only.

Why do you think so many aged farangs use agents? I'm 81 yo, I'm going ok I walk at least 90 minutes early every morning. I've already told my wife don't take me to a hospital if I get seriously ill. Just get a doctor to prescribe me pain killers and let me die in peace in our home. I'm sick of getting f***ed around by Thai hospitals, doctors and health insurance companies.

5 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

I live like a tourist. I do exactly the same things I would as a tourist.

I think you are mixing tourists up with something else.

If you're an expat keep on spending like a tourist and you will be fly blown in 20 years. Good luck as you'll need it big spender.

1 minute ago, NONG CHOK said:

If you're an expat keep on spending like a tourist and you will be fly blown in 20 years. Good luck as you'll need it big spender.

Has anyone ever accused you of jumping to conclusions? 😊

4 minutes ago, IsmeUno said:

Do you like lists and counting?

I don't want to be disrespectful to people with mental illness... have you been diagnosed? Are you on any kind of medication? Be honest.

Try AI for insults. Can't be any worse. You're the most pathetic troll I've ever seen. 1550 posts of utter rubbish.

2 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Really? You sound really gay.

Is that why you are trying to hump my leg? You are revealing a lot about yourself.

1 minute ago, Rockyroad said:

Try AI for insults. Can't be any worse. You're the most pathetic troll I've ever seen. 1550 posts of utter rubbish.

Have you been diagnosed? Are you on any kind of medication? Be honest.

1 minute ago, IsmeUno said:

Have you been diagnosed? Are you on any kind of medication? Be honest.

Is that the best you got? Medication trolls 5555

You're an F grader. D was far too kind.

Just now, Jingthing said:

Not exactly.

There was a MASSIVE onerous change years ago for the bank method.

Full seasoning required for five months of the year and never under 400k for the rest.

That has tripped up a lot of people.

Also quite often depending on office there are "surprises" demanding paperwork they never demanded before. Pain in the arse.

Sorry, yes 800 for months 11,12 and 1,2,3 then 400 until months 11 & 12 when back to 800.

There is also the Combination Method if your IO is using it, 400 in the bank and 35k per month for me.

Well, yeah, there is a big difference between getting a visa based on income and one based on having a lot of money in the bank. Even so, ever since I realised that my illness insurance was going to go up by another 50% , 12 years ago, I have been living here, happily enough, waiting for that day when I have to decide between dying here without expensive treatment, or going back home where I would get excellent, free treatment.

My doctor started talking about a possible kidney transplant (which I can't afford). I told him I'm an old man (78) and was ready to die. He grinned.

Maybe I won't be grinning when things come down to the nitty-gritty, but then, that time always comes too early.

5 minutes ago, NONG CHOK said:

Why do you think so many aged farangs use agents? I'm 81 yo, I'm going ok I walk at least 90 minutes early every morning. I've already told my wife don't take me to a hospital if I get seriously ill. Just get a doctor to prescribe me pain killers and let me die in peace in our home. I'm sick of getting f***ed around by Thai hospitals, doctors and health insurance companies.

A doctor friend told me, when you get older, stay out of hospitals 😊

Though I'm concerned. The other day you told that you walk for two hours daily. Today, it's just 90 minutes.

What happened? Where do you walk? Is there a park?

7 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

True,

Nothing new.

But not everyone has heard or absorbed the message yet.

At the time I retired I wasn't aware of even one other choice that I was qualified for back then. As I knew I liked Thailand, the "choice" was super easy.

However, with what I know today based on the residence insecurity alone I would advice others AGAINST Thailand IF they qualify for another country that they like that does offer residence security. My opinion only.

AI will give visa answers in seconds. Cambodia has the best visa nearby. Then the Phillipines.

3 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Is that the best you got? Medication trolls 5555

You're an F grader. D was far too kind.

I take it that's a yes then...

6 hours ago, simon43 said:

Your 'retirement' visa in Thailand is just a 'non-immigrant' visa. Even the name tells you what it is.

My annual retirement ER visa in Cambodia could be anulled by a change in the visa rules.

Actually, almost all south-east Asia countries offer zero security of residency for foreigners, except for The Philippines SRRV program, which offers lifelong residency from the start. Last year I almost moved to the PI on this program, because the bank deposit requirements is only $1,500 for scientists (I was already accepted by the retirement authority and had paid my deposit)

But somehow - for me anyway - the thought of living in the PI, with PI food, PI crime and PI women lost its appeal......

Yeah Asean except the Philippines is very weak in residence security for retired expats. So not only Thailand.

It's a scandal that Vietnam is on ANY List of retirement options. Three month visa runs at age 90? Are you having a laugh?

HOWEVER, I think probably ALL of the programs in Latin America do and also many options in Europe.

As far as the Philippines I think there are now some options that are better for at least international food and safety. Iloilo comes to mind. Also for older older aged or unwell expats, the Philippines has a great culture for hiring skilled and fairly priced personal help including private nurses.

Of course Thai food in general especially the street food scene is always going to be better than Filipino but I happen to like at least SOME Filipino dishes.

1 minute ago, IsmeUno said:

I take it that's a yes then...

I take it you are really dumb. Never used any med for more than a few weeks. You actually sound very pathetic. I've never had more than 1 night in hospital. I'd run rings around a dopey troll like you.

2 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

Never used any med for more than a few weeks.

That's quite a long time in itself. For what were you taking medicine for a few weeks?

3 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

I'd run rings around a dopey troll like you.

That doesn't appear to be the case here.

1 minute ago, IsmeUno said:

That's quite a long time in itself. For what were you taking medicine for a few weeks?

That doesn't appear to be the case here.

1600 posts soon. All trolls.

I don't know about a ticking time bomb but it is certainly true that the authorities here give us absolutely no credit in the big picture, and I would go a step further and say that they would really prefer not to have us here.

An expat living in Mexico for 10 years is considered an honorary Mexican and getting permanent residency there is quite easy. A large part of the immigration issue is a pathological level of fear on the part of the government. There's no question that they are extremely xenophobic. I don't get much of that from the people thankfully, but I do get that from the very toxic officials.

10 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Yeah Asean except the Philippines is very weak in residence security for retired expats. So not only Thailand.

It's a scandal that Vietnam is on ANY List of retirement options. Three month visa runs at age 90? Are you having a laugh?

HOWEVER, I think probably ALL of the programs in Latin America do and also many options in Europe.

As far as the Philippines I think there are now some options that are better for at least international food and safety. Iloilo comes to mind. Also for older older aged or unwell expats, the Philippines has a great culture for hiring skilled and fairly priced personal help including private nurses.

Of course Thai food in general especially the street food scene is always going to be better than Filipino but I happen to like at least SOME Filipino dishes.

Go there for a month and see for yourself. You can't trust the opinions of others. Ask AI what the 3 best places are there based on your own criteria then go to them.

Ai pick

Dumaguete City is frequently ranked as the safest city in the country and is a top choice for retirees and solo travelers. Known as the "City of Gentle People," it offers a calm, university-town atmosphere with a very low cost of living.

Baguio is the best option if you prefer a cooler climate. Located in the mountains of Northern Luzon, it is a popular refuge from the tropical heat and maintains a reputation for being a safe, honest city.

Best island

Siquijor is a small island province in the Central Visayas often referred to as the "Island of Fire." It is widely regarded as one of the safest destinations in the country due to its quiet, community-oriented atmosphere and very low crime rate.