3 hours ago, Nemises said:

I’m choosing Vientiane, Laos. Most Pattaya expats already know the layout of the city and the local bars purely from decades of doing desperate, last-minute visa runs there anyway. It’s a seamless transition.

Rent is expensive in Vientiane (I'm not sure why). Luang Prabang is much more laid back, but leave your amateur radio gear at home(!)....

My plan B would be somewhere like Kep or Kampot in Cambodia - a country that granted me an annual retirement visa 'just like that', so easy. But to be honest, Cambodia doesn't really fill me with enthusiasm, even though it's cheap, friendly, sunny etc etc. Actually, I've not really got a plan B bolthole, because the options in this region are few. Perhaps the Scilly Isles.....

Edited June 14Jun 14 by simon43

35 minutes ago, Rockyroad said:

What visas do they have

https://www.immigration.gov.la/en/services/1

As an older guy i wouldn't want to go too far, like South America. The most important aspect is an easy retirement visa which rules out many countries, like Vietnam. Cambodia seems the best option. Fairly close, easy visa, cheap, fairly safe. Easy trip back to Thailand, as a tourist. Why look further?

11 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

https://www.immigration.gov.la/en/services/1

Just to comment about this. There is no 'retirement' visa per se, and the well-known visa agents in Vientiane will provide you with an LA-B2 business visa with no work permit, and tell you that this is fine. It's not! I have been arrested twice by the Lao police in the past 5 years and informed that this visa type is illegal if I am not actually employed. Fines were paid, but the 2 agents (both owned by French persons, 1 now deceased), provided no help at all and no refund (no surprises there...)

My Plan B is awesome. Free healthcare!!!!!

I'll bite, again.

No Plan B for me - oldish, increasing mobility and other health issues; no surviving family and only 2 surviving elderly close friends back in the world, ie homeland.

I'll be passing on here.

Would have to investigate. Where are the cheapest hookers?

Norway is where my family is, and where I have social security and health care. Thailand is where my wife’s family is based. For me it is Norway, Thailand, or both. I see no reason for other countries or other places unless something forces me to change my mind.

I’m quite comfortable in Thailand now and no longer as restless. Against all odds, Isaan has started to feel like home. When you miss a place after only a few days away, you know you are in a good place in life.

Honestly, I never imagined I would end up in Isaan after my first visit to the village. But with space, quiet, facilities, the right people around you, and something useful to do, you can create a paradise almost anywhere. Exercise, move, walk, take care of animals, work, and stay busy through the day. I think that is a good recipe for many who thrive outside the dense tourist and expat areas.

It is still good to stay flexible, and backup resources and funds matter. But for now, why change something that actually makes you happy?

1 hour ago, BilllyGOAT said:

I'm leaving tomorrow!

I think Mongolian men don't like farangs moving in on their women.

And those guys are tough.

Obviously Vietnam, people answering Laos clearly haven't even seen Vietnam in recent years lol. Laos would be like the last place you would choose unless being really desperate. Anyway, I would still pick Cambodia instead, as I can get the one year business visa with work permit done in the first 10 days for 300-350 dollars, then I would lease a budget place and right away open personal and business bank accounts, driving license too.

Then after that I would just go to Vietnam on the 45-90 days per time. And actually, most people already do this instead of Thailand. Phnom Penh has changed drastically too in the last 5 years alone, everywhere new roads, the airports they even use ipads to make a visa on arrival, can pay by card. You can book taxi with prices from the luggage carousels. Much more malls, you can rent to own condo's. They also start to plant back trees between all new developments so it looks more lush.

I am just waiting for thailand to give me that final reason with their crackdowns and anti farang policy, but i doubt they continue it, they need us in thailand as much, and they start to realize that.

Why would i then still do cambodia instead of Vietnam? because somehow cambodia stays unpopulair enough for it to be sustainable.

Edited June 14Jun 14 by Spider5511

39 minutes ago, Celsius said:

My Plan B is awesome. Free healthcare!!!!!

videographers can make anything look sexy, especially with drones.

concrete jungles can wear you down.

I often entertain my brain with how much dollars get you in cambodia, for starters just to sell my second hand 125CC bike, would get me 3 years of hassle free work permit + business visa + banking, at once. If i then sell a few more of my furnitures and items in Thailand, it would pay 3 years rent already too, lol.

1 hour ago, Gottfrid said:

https://www.immigration.gov.la/en/services/1

Laos visa recent checked, 90 days or less old data, they can do anything there including a business or entire families. Around 900-1200 USD per person per year, for really doing a business. Some 'official' alternatives with standard visas are on that site above.

Cambodia still the good old 300 dollars a year, for work permit 50-100 more. Business costs is separate if needing one (500-1000 setup). I have no experience with the work permit part as i never needed it and they started it when i left in 2016-2017.

Edited June 14Jun 14 by Spider5511

4 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

videographers can make anything look sexy, especially with drones.

concrete jungles can wear you down.

Exactly. Just look at Bangkok once you put the drone down and smell the streets.

But I love Bangkok. I love big cities.

@save the frogs

I think Mongols are great people, but respect and awareness matter. You cannot treat them the way some foreigners treat Thais and expect the same soft landing. Many foreigners do not understand how lucky they have been in Thailand when drunk, loud, and disrespectful.

Edited June 14Jun 14 by Hummin

Palomino, Colombia would be my choice.

Cost of living similar to Thailand.

Easy path the permanent residency.

Greeat weather year round.

Post containing just AI content removed.

@Rockyroad rule 39a. Posts should be original, on-topic, and written in your own voice. This is a discussion forum—not an AI content dump—so keep contributions natural and personal. AI tools can be used for reference or to support facts, but your writing should reflect your own understanding and perspective. This is especially important for opening posts, which should clearly come from a human point of view and invite genuine discussion.

Ipoh, Malaysia or Vientiane, Laos (I currently have a LA-B2 visa, work permit and permit to stay). But I see no reason currently that would necessitate activating Plan B.

22 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

I think Mongolian men don't like farangs moving in on their women.

And those guys are tough.

Look at me, do I look like the kinda bloke who gives a toss? 😂

I'll send you a postcard from Ulaanbaatar.

What are your plans tadpole? Raquel's basement with her mum at the video camera? Then upload straight to Pornhub and monetize?

51 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Would have to investigate. Where are the cheapest hookers?

Dhaka, it's all you bro.

4 minutes ago, BilllyGOAT said:

I'll send you a postcard from Ulaanbaatar.

I'm not even sure mongolia has visa options.

it's the coldest capital in the world.

nice place to visit culturally, harsh place to live.

you might be the only retiree there, so that would make you a trailblazer!

yeah, send us a postcard.

and dont slam the door on your way out.

5 hours ago, Jingthing said:

what are your current SPECIFIC leading locations for a Plan B backup to Thailand?

As I am married here I don't plan to leave but I suppose if my wife died before me? Hmmm...?

Alternative? Anywhere I have mates.

So:

Vientiane. I have a mate or two there.

Bandung I have a few mates there. Also Jakarta but maybe a bit to big.

If I wanted to write a book but not have mates:

Samosir Island/Parapat, North Sumatra. Magic place. Like the garden of Eden.

5 hours ago, Jingthing said:

If you currently live in Thailand or even if you plan on moving to Thailand but are considering other options in case you need to leave Thailand for whatever reason, what are your current SPECIFIC leading locations for a Plan B backup to Thailand?

By SPECIFIC I mean more than just saying a country.

Where exactly in the country?

For example don't say Mexico, say Queretaro Mexico instead.

ALSO -- why are these options high on your list?

To explain that, talk about the personal priorities that you have for what you want in an expat destination country.

Personally, I have not identified even one place in the world that checks all of my boxes.

If such a place existed, it would become a Plan A.

This is NOT about options in your home country. That's a different topic.

Barbate, next to Cadiz: good hospitals, free health care, good food, mild climate

Now that I'm married, my plan B options are limited. I think if forced to leave Thailand as a permanent retirement destination, I would bounce around for a year or two spending time in Nepal, Laos, Vietnam... Not sure how I could make it all work with the wife but I'm sure I would figure out something.

I don't worry about it though and not worth planning for because I don't see any real benefit to having a plan that is constantly evolving. Life is good now and that works for me.

2 hours ago, Spider5511 said:

Why would i then still do cambodia instead of Vietnam? because somehow cambodia stays unpopulair enough for it to be sustainable.

Cambo is slowly becoming more popular with retiring farangs, (no) thanks to all the Ytube vloggers.

Vietnam has no retirement visa. It's 90 day border runs instead.

You never know when the VNese government will crack down on farangs doing endless border runs. I'd bet sooner than later. Lots of farang troublemakers infecting places like Da Nang now.

Pathetic.

https://www.nine.com.au/world-news/vietnam-shirtless-aussie-questioned-over-cafe-rampage-in-vietnam-20260531-p602iw.html

The best Plan B is having no Plan B..........Stick to what you know and focus on making that the best it can be. The grass is rarely ever greener.............and if it was, one would already be there.................

2 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Palomino, Colombia would be my choice.

Cost of living similar to Thailand.

Easy path the permanent residency.

Greeat weather year round.

My information says not an easy path anymore and also need for private health insurance for five years and also it is not tax friendly

So Colombia is off my list.

When it was I favored Armenia CO, Manizales, and Bucaramunga.

When I was choosing to retire in Thailand my other choice was Davao (I'd dated a girl from there for 8 years and really liked the place), would need to go back to see how it is nowadays (When I 1st went in 2008 there were no foreigners but on my last visit in 2016 the "Mongering" crowd seem to have discovered it). I also like Cebu (But not Cebu City) & Bohol (Maybe a bit quiet).

Spent 1 month in Penang earlier this year & it was fantastic so that would be high up (If not top) of my list though the minimum $150K in a bank account + another $150K property purchase is a bit off putting & I'd need to be 100% sure that's where I wanted to spend the rest of my days if moving there.

Edited June 14Jun 14 by SamSpade

I remembered the reason Portugsk is off my current list Aside from overloaded understaffed immigration offices its very tax unfriendly.

3 minutes ago, SamSpade said:

When I was choosing to retire in Thailand my other choice was Davao (I'd dated a girl from there for 8 years and really liked the place), would need to go back to see how it is nowadays (When I 1st went in 2008 there were no foreigners but on my last visit in 2016 the "Mongering" crowd seem to have discovered it). I also like Cebu (But not Cebu City) & Bohol (Maybe a bit quiet).

Also I spent 1 month in Penang earlier this year & it was fantastic so that would be high up (If not top) of my list though the minimum $150K in a bank account + another $150K property purchase is a bit off putting & I'd need to be 100% sure that's where I wanted to spend the rest of my days if moving there.

Davao has become very expat popular.

Considered one of the safest cities in the country and best hospitals along with Cebu City behind Manila

Iloilo City is also considered very safe but hospitals good but not rated as highly.

Edited June 14Jun 14 by Jingthing