19 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Yep ... those skirting the 800k / 65k monthly by using agents is the main problem. IMHO

Well you cannot voice that opinion on the VISA Forum which has become the PR section of the Thailand Visa Agents Chamber of Commerce.

45 minutes ago, JerryM said:

Well you cannot voice that opinion on the VISA Forum which has become the PR section of the Thailand Visa Agents Chamber of Commerce.

You forgot the Thailand Tax Accountant Chamber of Commerce.

12 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

You forgot the Thailand Tax Accountant Chamber of Commerce.

Well OK but I have yet to see them say any discussion of the legality of tax accountants is trolling or off-topic.

And if you do so question the legality of agent derived extension , they will just say DISCRETION !! as if then the Walls of Jericho come a-tumblin' down.

Edited August 1Aug 1 by JerryM

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Also surprised, so many at retirement age, have so little, liquid or assets.

Not everyone has unremitting good fortune with finances their entire lives.

A divorce back home at 50 will tank a lot of your savings.

And some guys have bad luck here too. Build a house in Isaan and the marriage goes south.

One guy started a thread a few weeks ago and decided the healthcare bills were too much, so he was heading back home. Some people may have more health issues than others throughout their lives.

4 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Let's not forget why health ins was added to 0-A visa (Oct 2021). Covid, and many sent to hosp 'infected' prior, didn't seem to have the funds for the bill. Adding made sense to me.

Nobody forces anyone to get an 0-A visa, or remain on it, after using.

The Non O-A insurance predated covid - it was introduced in October 2019, and then was increased two years later when covid hit full steam. Anutin was health minister at the time and had his mitts all over it.

Despite the official story, there was never any evidence that there'd been unpaid hospital bills pertaining to Non O-A holders as opposed to any other visa class. However the government considered the O-A too generous compared to the other options, and didn't like that people could keep the funds in their own country. It was part of a raft of measures brought in to tighten the screw - embassy affidavit of income letters got scrapped in the same year.

4 hours ago, save the frogs said:

"Meager" is not mathematical. It's subjective.

Take the Australian aged pension, for example. It's around $1200AUD per fortnight. That's $2400AUD a month, or 56,000 Thai baht a month. It doesn't meet the 65k baht per month criteria, but there are a lot of Aussies living in Thailand on it.

4 hours ago, save the frogs said:

That's why the 800K requirement is in place.

Easily circumvented through agents.

4 hours ago, save the frogs said:

Meeting the requirement + being able to sustain yourself in the country

No proof of either being needed to get a retirement visa / extension.

Basically, an Australia aged pensioner, with very little money, can fly to Thailand on a 30 day visa exemption stamp, then pay an agent for a retirement visa, and start living here on the Australia aged pension. No 800k baht, and the pension isn't even the required 65k baht a month.

Now, picture the above, but from many other countries as well, and Thailand becomes a dumping ground for retirees with very little financial capacity. This is already happening, to some degree, but due to the higher cost of living in the west, I can see Thailand becoming an option for many retirees in the near future.

Just now, KhunHeineken said:

Take the Australian aged pension, for example. It's around $1200AUD per fortnight. That's $2400AUD a month, or 56,000 Thai baht a month. It doesn't meet the 65k baht per month criteria, but there are a lot of Aussies living in Thailand on it.

I guess they are willing to bend the rules a bit rather than lose retirees.

If he stays 30 years, do the math.

How many businesses is he supporting in Thailand?

First of all (refer to the original video) retirement is only one part of the general thesis -- things are harder.

Yes, using agents can be an easy way out of meeting financial requirements.

However that is not a choice without risks.

Assuming that avenue is available in the region you live (accepted by the local office) there can be (and have been) negative later consequences to doing that.

For those who like to sleep soundly at night, we never know when there might be a "crackdown" on that in which not only the agents are dinged but also their clients.

To those who say never, that's what the clients of respected lawyers for land nominee deals were told.

4 hours ago, JerryM said:

Yes. That's because it is already there.

Yet, as another member point out, wasn't there for the recent insurance requirement.

4 hours ago, JerryM said:

You are suggesting they can just change the numbers on 2.22 (2) - (5) but won't so on (6). You are suggesting they will remove (6) or maybe just leave it no one under the age of 97 will qualify.

I am suggesting they can do what they want, because it's their country, and foreigners have no rights here.

4 hours ago, JerryM said:

And maybe they will.

Maybe they will, maybe they won't, but what I am sure of is the 800k / 65k can't stay at these amounts forever. At some stage they will have to be raised.

7 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

I guess they are willing to bend the rules a bit rather than lose retirees.

If he stays 30 years, do the math.

How many businesses is he supporting in Thailand?

I have thought about the benefit, or lack thereof, to the Thai economy.

In Australia, the aged pension starts at 65 or 67, depending on one's age. 30 years is bit of stretch. You are probably looking at 20 years, maximum, however I do understand the point you are making.

Is this really the type of expat Thailand wants? At the moment, nothing is stopping them from coming to live here.

i can see the advertising campaign. "Thailand - A Pensioners Paradise." 😂

2 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

I have thought about the benefit, or lack thereof, to the Thai economy.

In Australia, the aged pension starts at 65 or 67, depending on one's age. 30 years is bit of stretch. You are probably looking at 20 years, maximum, however I do understand the point you are making.

Is this really the type of expat Thailand wants? At the moment, nothing is stopping them from coming to live here.

i can see the advertising campaign. "Thailand - A Pensioners Paradise." 😂

It's not a big problem for Thailand to accept the portion of retirees who are using agents to avoid financially qualifying because they are only on a one year leash.

If they really can't afford to live here, or events occur later that wipe them out -- BA BYE.

People who do qualify burn out here as well.

A portion of people who use agents (perhaps a strong majority) could meet at least the 800K but chose not to because they don't have to.

Qualifying for extensions is not the same thing as really being able to afford to live here in the long run whether using agents or not.

Edited August 1Aug 1 by Jingthing

Here he goes again!

44 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

This for the most part is not about your personal experience.

Then whoes experience is it about?

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Here he goes again!

Here you go again on your pointless self promotional soapbox!

Why do you have to post long boring videos when a precis of salient points (if any) would be better for all concerned (apart from the video presenter getting its payment!)!

PS; Is the video presenter by any chance YOU?

Edited August 1Aug 1 by scottiejohn

9 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

First of all (refer to the original video) retirement is only one part of the general thesis -- things are harder.

Yes, using agents can be an easy way out of meeting financial requirements.

However that is not a choice without risks.

Assuming that avenue is available in the region you live (accepted by the local office) there can be (and have been) negative later consequences to doing that.

For those who like to sleep soundly at night, we never know when there might be a "crackdown" on that in which not only the agents are dinged but also their clients.

To those who say never, that's what the clients of respected lawyers for land nominee deals were told.

I would not have a problem if they seriously banned visa agents tomorrow, despite using an agent myself, but because it's such a big corrupt earner, I doubt they will, but it is possible.

I did mention in a previous post, "part of a broader policy to clear out expats living here on meager aged pensions" and banning agents would certainly have to play a role in that.

I have long thought Thailand will basically take anyone's money, and as another member pointed out, an aged pensioner with not much money still inputs into the Thai economy, so maybe their idea is to make it look to the world you need 800k / 65k, but you are welcome to live in Thailand with whatever little money you have, provided you grease some palms once a year.

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

I would not have a problem if they seriously banned visa agents tomorrow, despite using an agent myself, but because it's such a big corrupt earner, I doubt they will, but it is possible.

I did mention in a previous post, "part of a broader policy to clear out expats living here on meager aged pensions" and banning agents would certainly have to play a role in that.

I have long thought Thailand will basically take anyone's money, and as another member pointed out, an aged pensioner with not much money still inputs into the Thai economy, so maybe their idea is to make it look to the world you need 800k / 65k, but you are welcome to live in Thailand with whatever little money you have, provided you grease some palms once a year.

The key part is that Thailand isn't making any commitment to ANY foreigner retired or not who doesn't have permanent residence.

11 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

It's not a big problem for Thailand to accept the portion of retirees who are using agents to avoid financially qualifying because they are only on a one year leash.

If they really can't afford to live here, or events occur later that wipe them out -- BA BYE.

Sure, but those "events" tend to use public services, like a hospital, for which a certain demographic of retiree here simply couldn't afford the bill.

7 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Then whoes experience is it about?

Here you go again on your pointless self promotional soapbox!

PS; Why do you have to post long boring videos when a precis of salient points (if any) would be better for all concerned (apart from the video presenter getting payment!)!

You're just here to snipe. BYE.

Just now, Jingthing said:

The key part is that Thailand isn't making any commitment to ANY foreigner retired or not who doesn't have permanent residence.

Which countries do that?

Just now, Jingthing said:

The key part is that Thailand isn't making any commitment to ANY foreigner retired or not who doesn't have permanent residence.

Yes, and Thailand NEVER will. The Thai people wouldn't even vote it in.

Just now, KhunHeineken said:

Sure, but those "events" tend to use public services, like a hospital, for which a certain demographic of retiree here simply couldn't afford the bill.

What are you talking about?

Thai health care isn't free to foreigners.

Edited August 1Aug 1 by Jingthing

Just now, scottiejohn said:

Which countries do that?

Australia offers PR and Citizenship, as I am sure many other countries do also.

Just now, Jingthing said:

You're just here to snipe. BYE.

You are unable to answer questions like this;

Why do you have to post videos when a precis of salient points would be better for all concerned!

Or even do both!

Please answer the above! and give it a try sometime!!

2 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Yes, and Thailand NEVER will. The Thai people wouldn't even vote it in.

Agreed.

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

What are you talking about?

That health care isn't free to foreigners.

It is if the are on a work permit!

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

Australia offers PR and Citizenship, as I am sure many other countries do also.

2 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Australia offers PR and Citizenship, as I am sure many other countries do also.

I know about retirement visas.

A strong majority of countries that have a retirement visa do offer a path to permanent residence. Thailand isn't the only one that doesn't though. In some countries, being approved for retirement translates into INSTANT permanent residence.

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Agreed.

Yes, and this is why I laugh at the guys who say / post, "I've lived here for 20 years, married a Thai, bought two properties, raised two kids, have a car, and have a business" like they somehow have more of a right to Thailand than anyone else.

They have no more rights than someone on a 30 day visa exemption stamp, other than three extra years on a driving license. 😂

21 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Then whoes experience is it about?

Here you go again on your pointless self promotional soapbox!

Why do you have to post long boring videos when a precis of salient points (if any) would be better for all concerned (apart from the video presenter getting its payment!)!

PS; Is the video presenter by any chance YOU?

It is his topic. Stay away if not interested. You're a boring troll. Get a life for once.

4 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Yes, and this is why I laugh at the guys who say / post, "I've lived here for 20 years, married a Thai, bought two properties, raised two kids, have a car, and have a business" like they somehow have more of a right to Thailand than anyone else.

They have no more rights than someone on a 30 day visa exemption stamp, other than three extra years on a driving license. 😂

True and many can barely speak Thai. Seen 10% of the nation. They live in delusional bubbles.

4 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Yes, and this is why I laugh at the guys who say / post, "I've lived here for 20 years, married a Thai, bought two properties, raised two kids, have a car, and have a business" like they somehow have more of a right to Thailand than anyone else.

They have no more rights than someone on a 30 day visa exemption stamp, other than three extra years on a driving license. 😂

These people have lived fulfilling lives and are not paranoid about being kicked out at any moment.

And obviously they had a right to be in Thailand because they stayed 20 years.

Just now, save the frogs said:

These people have lived fulfilling lives and are not paranoid about being kicked out at any moment.

And obviously they had a right to be in Thailand because they stayed 20 years.

Funny post.

Doesn't matter what they feel if they aren't permanent residents.