1 minute ago, save the frogs said:

You mean with mortgage paid off I guess.

Well, what about hospital / healthcare costs. Maybe they have gone up a lot since 20 years ago

I'm a cash kind of guy. Haven't had a mortgage or CC payment in over 40 yrs, if not more. Any mortgages I did have, tenants paid, even the building I lived in.

Healthcare has been a big hit on me, but just the past 3.5 yrs (Oct 2022). Just pocket money, haven't touched oops fund. But yea, in the past, it was just check ups, and one low cost hemmoroid removal op. Stent placement, one cataract done, and one to go.

Figured it out last month or so, and totalled up all healthcare, past and known future, only 627k total, over 25+ yrs, including overpriced cataract, I'll probably get done elsewhere, cheaper. So actually less than 627k.

Way lower than if I've been paying premiums the past 25 years, and don't expect to spend more than they would have cost in the future either. Apparently, go gene pool, so all good there.

I listen to the entire video intently, and I would say that much of what he's grousing about is simply an uptick in enforcement of existing laws. Laws that have always been on the books (that we all knew where on the books), but authorities were either too lazy to enforce, or didn't care, when they should have cared. Laws that existed for a reason, and that should have been enforced from the beginning. There are some other elements, obviously, and one can't really respond in kind without creating a small novella. But I will also say, I think Thailand isn't all that difficult for someone prepared, who understands the culture and political environment, and comes into it with their eyes wide open (it's a Kingdom after all... and there have been 14 coup d'etat over the last 95 years... so come to expect regular change of leadership, and ideas). The truth of the matter is we are all here at the leisure of the government, and they can, and do, change the rules anytime they see fit. So, rule #1 (time tested and true)... don't put all your eggs in one basket, as they say, don't invest all you have here, and have a contingency plan. Quite frankly what we see globally is a tightening on foreigner's free movement and rights (property and otherwise), almost everywhere. At the end of the day it still feels like Thailand is a better alternative than most anywhere else in the world. Even with stricter enforcement, increased prices / paperwork (it's only paperwork), and shifting attitudes. And none of what he speaks on is insurmountable by any stretch of the imagination. You just have to be smart (sometimes renting is better than buying), prepared (money laundering concerns are a global concern) and willing to tolerate a bit more scrutiny (so what). And maybe, just maybe, some of these "changes" leads to a better class of law abiding, well healed foreigner settling long-term here. I can't object to that. That would not be a bad thing. Just my opinion.

Edited July 31Jul 31 by Cabradelmar

3 hours ago, lamyai3 said:

The grandfather clause was established in October 1998, and hasn't been modified since,

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.

Edited July 31Jul 31 by JerryM

17 hours ago, Fact said:

I completely agree with you. I would never park any money in Thailand because the government is unstable.

Many here will proudly tell you their extension ONLY costs them 1,900 baht. They don't count the lost approximately 4% per annum in interest on the 800k baht. Yes, that's 32,000 baht, way more than the cost of the agent. 😂 😂

Then, as you say, you have the risk of keeping it in a Thai bank. If / when there is a run on the banks here, you can bet foreigners will be last in the queue.

Why bother with the 800k baht when there is no need to do so?

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

Why bother with the 800k baht when there is no need to do so?

Yes one can transfer 65k+ per month without putting 800K in the bank or making an illegal bribe payment.

18 hours ago, lamyai3 said:

To qualify under the 200k rule they'd now have to be at least 88 years old, born before the Germans marched into Poland.

Also the grandfathering only applies if yearly extensions have been maintained without any break - if they'd ever been stuck outside Thailand at extension time - during the pandemic for instance, it'd be lost.

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.

1 minute 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.

I am not relying on their changing anything whether some on here WANT the to change the requirements or not.

Edited July 31Jul 31 by JerryM

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

Do you agree, or not?

Yes, I agree.
This began in 2016. With the end of the era of the previous king.
Since 2016, every year = more and more restrictions.
However, Thailand is currently facing a severe demographic crisis. In a couple of years, if they continue to expel expats, it will have a significant impact on the economy, and at some point, the hardliners will be pushed aside and the pendulum will swing back.

Another point.

Yes there are both new rules and laws and also stricter enforcement of existing rules and laws.

From the POV of foreigners that makes no difference to their experience!

3 minutes ago, zmisha said:

Yes, I agree.
This began in 2016. With the end of the era of the previous king.
Since 2016, every year = more and more restrictions.
However, Thailand is currently facing a severe demographic crisis. In a couple of years, if they continue to expel expats, it will have a significant impact on the economy, and at some point, the hardliners will be pushed aside and the pendulum will swing back.

There is the definite smell of increased xenophobia and ultra nationalism in the air these days.

A good example is the Italian kids on the train.

The reactions to them were akin to Thai sovereignty being attacked. That's irrational.

The kids were bad, the reactions including stalking and doxing the kids were arguably worse.

Edited July 31Jul 31 by Jingthing

22 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Many here will proudly tell you their extension ONLY costs them 1,900 baht. They don't count the lost approximately 4% per annum in interest on the 800k baht. Yes, that's 32,000 baht, way more than the cost of the agent.

So what if the agents and corrupt IMM officials decide it is not worth the legal risks to deal with penny ante farang extensions for 15K baht when Chinese have been willing to pay 100K- 300K baht for the same.

The accusations first surfaced after former politician Chuvit Kamolvisit alleged that three Immigration Bureau commanders in Khon Kaen and Chiang Mai were accepting bribes of between 100,000 and 300,000 baht for each non-immigration visa approved.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2524191/visa-racket-report-fingers-107-immigration-officers

Edited July 31Jul 31 by JerryM

On 7/30/2026 at 5:44 AM, save the frogs said:

Vietnam doesn't have the 800K in the bank requirement? But you still do not get permanent residency and will need to sort out medical emergencies.

And does Vietnam even have a retirement visa?

Bank requirements are there to protect you so you don't get deluded as you get older and older than you can survive without emergency money.

There is no Thailand style retirement visa in Vietnam, at this stage, and similar to Thailand, they do not offer a pathway to PR / citizenship.

As a single person, the best I can get is a 3 month tourist visa, but you can do back to back visa runs, so you can basically live in Vietnam on tourist visas, as a couple of my friends do. I have set out my plan for border runs in another post. Border runs are no problem for me.

A lot of the expats I met on my trips to various places in Vietnam are married to Vietnamese Nationals, so they get a 5 year multi-entry visa. No other requirements. Some of these "marriages" are, shall we say, questionable. They are known as "visa wives." I'm sure you get where I'm coming from.

There are no requirements to have any money in a Vietnam bank, nor insurance etc etc.

On a trip to Danang, some time ago, I opened a bank account on a tourist visa, no problem. Got a prepaid sim card as well, which I keep on roaming and active.

For those members who have never been to Vietnam, a local beer in a decent air conditioned sports bar is around 45 baht. Yes, 45 baht, no typo. 🙂 Cheaper in mom and pop style local bars. For those thinking that Vietnam must be like Cambodia with prices like that, Google "My Khe Beach Danang." 🙂

So, Thailand can make it as hard for foreigners as it likes. I really couldn't care less. I have my Plan B.

For those wondering why I am not already living in Vietnam, well, there's one Pattaya in the world, and whilst I would miss living here, given that I do not intend to commit and crimes, or overstay my visa and get black listed, I would be a regular visitor to Pattaya, incorporating the visit into a visa run.

On 7/30/2026 at 5:08 AM, JerryM said:

My apologies. I was just looking to explain to anyone the mechanics of the previous 2014 and 2008 grandfather structures.

I didn't realize you were lobbying against it.

I'm not lobbying against anything.

I'm simply stating there's no guarantee that grandfathering will be incorporated into any future changes / requirements here.

Members should hope for the best, but prepare for the worse.

The past is no indication of the future in Thailand, the land of flip flops.

After here 20 years tried to open another bank account at K bank- cannot name wrong way round in passport, get new one with name reversed, actually impossible. Name is the same as all other passports inc Thai and Thai Id cards. As you used to be able to open an account with just a passport it has got harder. some banks are now asking for a certificate of residence, tm 30, 90 day reports and- a yellow house book!

54 minutes ago, JerryM said:

Yes one can transfer 65k+ per month without putting 800K in the bank or making an illegal bribe payment.

Yes, they can, and that's no problem for me either. I transfer more than that per month anyway.

Even with the 65k baht method, I still could not be bothered with the paperwork, and have always had the belief that the less dealings I have with any officials in Thailand the better, so I would still use an agent anyway.

5 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

I'm not lobbying against anything.

I'm simply stating there's no guarantee that grandfathering will be incorporated into any future changes / requirements here.

You have your hypotheticals; I have mine.

And what some see as hypothetical on the agent-assisted visa extension may be the same as what is going on in the nominee dustup:

Thais built it, sold it, and registered it. So why is the foreigner the only one in the dock?

5 minutes ago, visalady said:

After here 20 years tried to open another bank account at K bank- cannot name wrong way round in passport, get new one with name reversed, actually impossible. Name is the same as all other passports inc Thai and Thai Id cards. As you used to be able to open an account with just a passport it has got harder. some banks are now asking for a certificate of residence, tm 30, 90 day reports and- a yellow house book!

After 20 years here, it must feel nice to be wanted. 🙂

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

the less dealings I have with any officials in Thailand the better, so I would still use an agent anyway.

You have major league dealings with Immigration. You paid them a 10K bribe for them to exercise their 'discretion ' on waiving the 800K baht deposit.

But in the (hypothetical) end per Thai Penal code 144, YOU are the one who initiated the bribe

Edited July 31Jul 31 by JerryM

1 minute ago, JerryM said:

You have your hypotheticals; I have mine.

And what some see as hypothetical on the agent-assisted visa extension may be the same as what is going on in the nominee dustup:

Thais built it, sold it, and registered it. So why is the foreigner the only one in the dock?

No problem. You are entitled to your opinion, as I am mine.

I don't rely on any type of stability from the Thai government. For foreigners, Thailand is all smoke and mirrors, we are at the mercy of the Thai government, and we have no "right" to live here.

As I have said, that 1 year retirement visa / extension is nothing more than a 1 year tourist visa. They can change the criteria and requirements at a whim. One should be prepared by being adaptable, and having a Plan B for worse case scenario.

You will see in another post that I stated I don't care how hard Thailand makes it for foreigners because I have my Plan B. Thailand is not the only retirement destination in South East Asia. My Plan C would be Bali - Indonesia.

The Thai government will not be coercing me into jumping through hoops I do not want to jump through. Me, and my money, will just leave, and I will visit Thailand regularly.

2 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

No problem. You are entitled to your opinion, as I am mine.

I don't rely on any type of stability from the Thai government. For foreigners, Thailand is all smoke and mirrors, we are at the mercy of the Thai government, and we have no "right" to live here.

As I have said, that 1 year retirement visa / extension is nothing more than a 1 year tourist visa. They can change the criteria and requirements at a whim. One should be prepared by being adaptable, and having a Plan B for worse case scenario.

You will see in another post that I stated I don't care how hard Thailand makes it for foreigners because I have my Plan B. Thailand is not the only retirement destination in South East Asia. My Plan C would be Bali - Indonesia.

The Thai government will not be coercing me into jumping through hoops I do not want to jump through. Me, and my money, will just leave, and I will visit Thailand regularly.

Yes of course have a Plan B as Thailand as a Plan A is quicksand if you don't have permanent residence (as they vast majority of us don't and have no path to it anyway).

10 minutes ago, JerryM said:

You have major league dealings with Immigration. You paid them a 10K bribe for them to exercise their 'discretion ' on waiving the 800K baht deposit.

But in the (hypothetical) end per Thai Penal code 144, YOU are the one who initiated the briber.

So? What's your point?

I've never seen the immigration officer who did the processing.

If they ever stop the use of agents, I would go down the 65k baht route, and have to do the paperwork myself.

If they upped the 65k to 100k, still no problem for me, but that might knock some old aged pensioners out of the game in Thailand, and this is the point of the OP, things are getting harder, but they could also change the criteria / requirements as part of a broader policy to do just that, knock some retirees out of the game here, based on their financial capacity, or lack thereof.

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

I've never seen the immigration officer who did the processing.

That's the way the machine works. But sure it is always possible that big changes come but you can afford it.

So can others.

Edited July 31Jul 31 by JerryM

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Yes of course have a Plan B as Thailand as a Plan A is quicksand if you don't have permanent residence (as they vast majority of us don't and have no path to it anyway).

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?

39 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

A lot of the expats I met on my trips to various places in Vietnam are married to Vietnamese Nationals, so they get a 5 year multi-entry visa. No other requirements. Some of these "marriages" are, shall we say, questionable. They are known as "visa wives." I'm sure you get where I'm coming from.

Well, then people need to stop complaining that Thailand scrutinizes marriages here.

No matter how long you have lived here for, no matter how much experience you have of dealing with Thai visas, work permits, extensions, real estate, study, marriage, children, education, you MUST watch the video to learn the OP's bizarre (and incorrect) belief.

Is the OP a Nazi in disguise?

3 minutes ago, JerryM said:

That's the ay the machine works. But sure there is always possible that big changes come but you can affford it.

So can otherts.

No, I don't think everyone will be able to afford it.

For example, the Australian aged pension is under 65k per month. Visa agents aside, Australians using this method have to top up to the 65k from savings.

Say they raise it to 100k a month. Those top up savings go down pretty quick, that's if there are any savings, and they are not recycling the top up money.

Back to my original point, the 800k / 65k can not remain at these amounts forever. Sooner or later they will have to increase. That increase could be small, simply reflecting a higher cost of living, or increase significantly, possibly to make more business for agents with more corrupt payments, or they ban agents in order to raise the financial capacity standards of the retired expats living here.

11 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

Well, then people need to stop complaining that Thailand scrutinizes marriages here.

I'm single. I've never complained about guys who have a sham marriage.

Sham marriages happen in western countries also, where the westerner is paid to marry so the immigrant can get PR, work, and send money back home.

3 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

No, I don't think everyone will be able to afford it.

I am not interested in EVERYONE.

5 minutes ago, JerryM said:

I am not interested in EVERYONE.

These were your words:

"So can otherts"

You used the words "others" as in plural.

In any case, you can afford it, and so can I.

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.

3 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

These were your words:

"So can otherts"

You used the words "others" as in plural.

Saying "others" (the remaining portion, group, or variable) does not automatically mean it encompasses the entirety of a remaining 100%.

https://www.themathdoctors.org/more-than-100-percent/

Edited July 31Jul 31 by JerryM