3 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Do you have any advice for those who may not be able to afford increases to the 800k / 65k? Particularly those living month to month on an aged pension.

Latin America if back home is not an option.

Or try your luck in Vietnam or Cambodia, but some places in Latin America have residency options.

7 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Do you have any advice for those who may not be able to afford increases to the 800k / 65k? Particularly those living month to month on an aged pension.

If i think off any I'll let you know.

Already posted

Edited July 31Jul 31 by visalady

47 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

You started this thread.

You know many members are under the belief that because they bought a property here, married a Thai, been living here for several years, and put money into the Thai economy, that they think things will never change, and they will always be welcome to remain residing in Thailand. Many have never even considered a Plan B.

What's your advice to those members?

Have a Plan B.

Don't buy real estate if you haven't already.

19 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Latin America if back home is not an option.

Or try your luck in Vietnam or Cambodia, but some places in Latin America have residency options.

I don't get people wanting to be a resident. Expense and at our ages, it usually requires living there for 3 or 5 yrs. Why bother, as are you really going to need to be resident or buy a house at 70 or older.

How long do you think you're going to live ? Buy a house for who ... just spend it, if you got it.

If I retired at 66, like Soc Sec planned, I'd never have left the USA, or certainly not bought in, a house in a foreign country. Why would you, as wouldn't bother with having a wife. Not like you'd need the appreciation or sell it before you crap out.

Takes a while just to learn about and get settled into a country, before buying all in. I didn't buy in at PKK, as I wasn't sure I was staying here, in PKK or TH, after kid got out of high school. Rented for 3 yrs in PKK befor contracting the house to be built.

Still taking it slow, before setting roots here, and that's after being in TH for 16 yrs, and visited PKK about 20+ times.

6 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I don't get people wanting to be a resident.

No 800K in the bank requirement, no healthcare out of pocket expenses.

Not everyone has deep pockets into their later years.

And house in your name, not wife's name.

Edited July 31Jul 31 by save the frogs

On 7/30/2026 at 11:00 AM, KhunHeineken said:

I've also posted posted, on another thread, the day may come when the retirement visa is from the age of 50 until say, 75, then no more retirement visa. Thailand welcomes you, and your savings / superannuation / retirement fund etc, then when it has run out, or you are to elderly to spend it, you go home.

Choosing the Best Nursing Home in Thailand: A Comprehensive Guide for Expats

Retiring in Thailand offers an unparalleled combination of natural beauty, affordable living, and exceptional healthcare. For expats looking for quality elder care, Thailand provides an impressive array of nursing homes catering to a variety of needs—from independent living to specialized medical care. However, selecting the right facility is a critical decision that requires thorough research and consideration.

https://bangkokhealthservice.com/choosing-the-best-nursing-home-in-thailand-a-comprehensive-guide-for-expats/

NB So much for the Thailand long-term care hub

3 hours ago, JerryM said:

So now it would be easy enough if they would so choose especially if they are doing other amendments to change the 'since 1998' to 'since 2010' with the same 16 year differential.

Then again there have already been comments by others on here hoping they don't.

There is no 16 year differential. The only grandfathering that has ever existed is for those who were already on an extension by October 1998, so they'd all have been born in 1937 or earlier.

This clause relating to the 200k could only apply for nonagerians at this point, they should rename it a great-grandfather clause!

Regarding my previous post, here's the wording from the ministerial amendment in 2019. There's slightly more chance of those who fell into the early retirement category (age 55-60) still being alive, though they'd be on the 500k deposit rules:

Criteria for Consideration of an Alien's Application for Stay in the Kingdom Attached to the order of the Royal Thai Police No. 35 / 2561 dated January, 2019.

The alien who entered the Kingdom before 21st October, 1998 and has been consecutively permitted to stay in the Kingdom for retirement shall be subject to the following criteria:

Must be 60 years of age or over and have fixed income with fund maintained in a bank account for the past three months of no less than 200,000 baht or have a monthly income of no less than 20,000 baht.

If less than 60 years of age but not less than 55 years of age, the alien must have an annual fixed income with funds maintained in a bank account for the past 3 months of no less than 500,000 baht or have a monthly income of no less than 50,000 baht.

To the above: I acknowledge that the 1998 date has never changed.

But neither has the 800K/65K regime.

3 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

I would say most have passed away by now.

I would not be relying on the Thai government to do foreigners any favors, including grandfathering, in the future.

It was widely expected that when the 2019 changes were brought in (applying to mandatory insurance on Non O-A etc) that grandfathering would apply, but in the end there was none. It seems like this courtesy has been done away with in the modern era.

Although Big Joke appears to be well out of the picture now, he did spell out how he saw retirement extensions would evolve during his time as immigration chief, and his comments may well be reflective of the long term plans. He considered the Non O as anachronistic and open to abuse, with financial limits as being much too low, and saw the future of things more along the lines of the LTR visa with much greater oversight and higher financial limits.

1 hour ago, save the frogs said:

No 800K in the bank requirement, no healthcare out of pocket expenses.

Not everyone has deep pockets into their later years.

And house in your name, not wife's name.

If moving at a much younger age, yes, but not in late years, 66 & beyond for retirement.

Don't expect to be on their healthcare system, when not paying taxes for my first 45 yrs of employment elsewhere. If moving there at younger age, working, setting up home for 5 yrs or whatever, then applying for residency, then yes, can pro-rate me into any govt schemes.

Not sure why people think they deserve to be taken care of, by a country you haven't lived in very long, just because you spend money there.

5 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Don't expect to be on their healthcare system, when not paying taxes for my first 45 yrs of employment elsewhere.

But countries that offer residency do put you on the healthcare system.

Serbia - 50K apartment = path to residency. I'm not sure if they have a public healthcare system, but if they do, you're on it.

You can work and start a business legally. People got into trouble with the nominee issue in Thailand.

Again, depends how deep your pockets are. And maybe you don't want to start a business in retirement. One guy not far from me is running a restaurant. Must be in his wife's name. Not a problem if you marry the right woman and stay married, but more complicated than in places with residency.

One Youtuber was in Chiang Mai, then moved to Albania to start a cafe. I guess he didn't like the business rules. Maybe his wife was American, not sure.

11 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

But countries that offer residency do put you on the healthcare system.

Serbia - 50K apartment = path to residency. I'm not sure if they have a public healthcare system, but if they do, you're on it.

You can work and start a business legally. People got into trouble with the nominee issue in Thailand.

Again, depends how deep your pockets are. And maybe you don't want to start a business in retirement. One guy not far from me is running a restaurant. Must be in his wife's name. Not a problem if you marry the right woman and stay married, but more complicated than in places with residency.

One Youtuber was in Chiang Mai, then moved to Albania to start a cafe. I guess he didn't like the business rules. Maybe his wife was American, not sure.

Or for TH, they could actually do it the proper way. Proper visa, WP, open a real business and conduct business. Plenty do, and plenty apply and receive PR.

Plenty of successful foreigners here, business person, even getting quite rich, by playing by the rules. If that's what you want, there IS a path to that.

Or ... pick another damn country that gives you what you want. Not complain about wanting a country to change for your needs. Mind boggling.

Edited July 31Jul 31 by KhunLA

20 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Serbia - 50K apartment = path to residency. I'm not sure if they have a public healthcare system, but if they do, you're on it.

You can work and start a business legally. People got into trouble with the nominee issue in Thailand.

But there are not 1.4 billion Chinese living next-door who would like to move? I suppose they could move to Serbia but...

8 hours ago, save the frogs said:

So you're arguing the opposite then?

Thailand is not making it hard enough for foreigners?

Not hard enough...they are just getting their act together. Trust me, they can make it very, very hard for foreigners if they want to.

The main reason that most people want permanent residency in any new country is so that they won't have to constantly renew temporary residency (where the rules are always subject to change). I call this residence security. You'd have to be a fool to not want that if its possible unless you know your stay is quite short term.

There should be an immediate end to the DTV

There should be a full ban on hostels

The term digital nomad should be banned. It's been bourne from these south asian countries who think cheap backpackers with laptops are some sort of entrepenours. They're not, they're just cheap tourists.

Any long term visa should have a criminal record check

Full ban on marijuana to keep away with the Benidorm crew

31 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

There should be an immediate end to the DTV

There should be a full ban on hostels

The term digital nomad should be banned. It's been bourne from these south asian countries who think cheap backpackers with laptops are some sort of entrepenours. They're not, they're just cheap tourists.

Any long term visa should have a criminal record check

Full ban on marijuana to keep away with the Benidorm crew

Nice to see you slipped the Benidorm bit in, albeit right at the end. 😅😅😅

37 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

There should be an immediate end to the DTV

There should be a full ban on hostels

The term digital nomad should be banned. It's been bourne from these south asian countries who think cheap backpackers with laptops are some sort of entrepenours. They're not, they're just cheap tourists.

Any long term visa should have a criminal record check

Full ban on marijuana to keep away with the Benidorm crew

Why do you want to ban the DTV and hostels? Hostels provide affordable options for younger people on a budget. I agree that cannabis should be banned as it seems to attract the wrong demographic.

18 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Can you imagine what would happen to Thailand if / when Vietnam introduce a retirement visa similar to Thailand? The condo market would crash here.

That is why I will never buy a place in Thailand; too many uncertainties coming down the road re visas, taxes, economy...

For me, better to rent (a number of different things 😉 )

VN will indeed at some point bring in a 'retirement' visa, but it will have strict financial requirements, similar to Thailand, and will be too expensive for most.

I always remind myself : they don't really want us living here.

Edited August 1Aug 1 by Woke to Sounds
Grammar!

16 hours ago, save the frogs said:

Latin America if back home is not an option.

Latin America is even more corrupt - not to mention dangerous - than Se Asia !

And it's not exactly inexpensive for those with limited budgets.

Mexico, for instance, has got much more expensive since Convid.

No, thanks.

On 7/29/2026 at 6:04 PM, Jingthing said:

I think the obvious answer is yes they are.

Do you agree, or not?

The video details many specific points making that case.

I don't see very much at all to disagree with in it.

There is one thing.

I did know very well from the get go coming for retirement that Thailand wasn't inviting me. Rather I was inviting myself so that's a different less warm and fuzzy dynamic.

I also knew that being on retirement extensions offered no path to permanent residence.

On buying a condo, I knew that owning a condo didn't give the right to live in it.

But I didn't know how it would feel 20 years later to have invested so much in Thailand and offered nothing in return as far as any increased status.

I've lived here for 21 years and have no problems, I follow the rules and integrate with the society in my village as best I can. I find the IO in my district to be helpful and courteous they've never given me any problems. I've never been the target of police scams that one hears about, as far as I am concerned life goes on as usual but then I don't ask for an extra slice of the pie and respect that Thailand belongs to the Thais. My 19 year old son attends university in Buriram and I expect him to become a useful member of Thai society when he finishes his studies.

1 hour ago, Effective altruism said:

Why do you want to ban the DTV and hostels? Hostels provide affordable options for younger people on a budget. I agree that cannabis should be banned as it seems to attract the wrong demographic.

If you are paying £2 for a hostel, and sharing it with fellow unwashed .... then how are you contributing anything to the Thai economy ? You are just taking up space and ruining it for those who wash.

Alot of countries have a mandatory daily tax so you literally cannot operate for backpackers.

Just now, DonniePeverley said:

If you are paying £2 for a hostel, and sharing it with fellow unwashed .... then how are you contributing anything to the Thai economy ? You are just taking up space and ruining it for those who wash.

That's nonsense.

You are supporting the hostel's business.

Of course the rooms are cheaper than normal hotels - they are shared rooms.

That's the business model, but the hostel still makes a profit.

18 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Back to my original point, the 800k / 65k can not remain at these amounts forever. Sooner or later they will have to increase.

From one perspective the raise in October 1998 to ฿800k was not really a raise at all. It came in the wake of the worst financial crash Thailand ever experienced, a year after the baht was allowed to float. By January 1998 the ฿200k (which since 1984 had been pegged to the dollar at 25-1) plummeted in value from $8000 to <$3600.

When the increased financial limits were introduced, this coincided with with a drop in the minimum qualifying age to 50, so perhaps the increase was considered a necessary update of the ฿500k figure that applied to early retirement age 55 (pre 1998) and they scrapped the over 60 category altogether. The value of ฿800k in October '98 was $20k, exactly the same as ฿500k was before the crash:

฿500k @ 25:1= $20000 ('84-97)

฿500k @ 56:1 = $8928 (Jan '98)

฿500k @ 40:1 = $12500 (Oct '98)

฿800k @ 40:1 = $20000 (Oct '98)

Edited August 1Aug 1 by lamyai3

2 hours ago, Woke to Sounds said:

Latin America is even more corrupt - not to mention dangerous - than Se Asia !

And it's not exactly inexpensive for those with limited budgets.

Mexico, for instance, has got much more expensive since Convid.

No, thanks.

Latin America is not a monolith.

16 hours ago, Jingthing said:

You'd have to be a fool to not want that if its possible unless you know your stay is quite short term.

When you arrived here, you kind of knew, or should have, PR was a stretch to have, unless you planned on doing everything to get. IT IS AVAILABLE IF WANTING.

Yet, you think they should change the rules for you now, well, since you are here.

Doesn't work like that, as you found out. Why continually bang on about it, and all the other things, that they aren't changing for YOU.

You could have left long time ago, and you still can.

Edited August 1Aug 1 by KhunLA

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

When you arrived here, you kind of knew, or should have, PR was a stretch to have, unless you planned on doing everything to get. IT IS AVAILABLE IF WANTING.

Yet, you think they should change the rules for you now, well, since you are here.

Doesn't work like that, as you found out. Why continually bang on about it, and all the other things, that they are changing for YOU.

You could have left long time ago, and you still can.

What idiocy

Of course I knew you dufus.

No it was never available arriving to start with a retirement visa.

Yes I understand that won't change.

I post about this mostly to warn others that lack of residency security feels very different the first year than decades later.

Also don't buy real estate that you aren't sure you'll be allowed to live in.

Edited August 1Aug 1 by Jingthing

On 7/30/2026 at 8:12 AM, emptypockets said:

Why should Thailand want, or need, to make things easier for foreigners? We are nothing special.

The days of the Great White Hope are long gone.

Every western expat retiree could leave tomorrow and Thailand would not even notice.

The priority for the Thai government should looking after Thais and Thailand.

From ChatGPT yesterday.

A fair summary would be:

• Tourism is vital to Thailand.

• It probably accounts for around one-fifth of economic activity once indirect effects are included.

• It supports millions of jobs and is a major earner of foreign currency.

• However, Thailand has a broader and more diversified economy than many people realise, with manufacturing and exports remaining even larger contributors to national output.

If you're asking because you spend time in Pattaya, the dependence there is much greater than for Thailand as a whole. Pattaya's economy is overwhelmingly driven by tourism and the businesses that support visitors.