2 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

How is Thailand making it harder?

It's the obvious trend - most recently with the tax stuff.

Take a step back - it's obvious

59 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

You've been threatening to go to Vietnam for years when you were Leaver, why still here? usually that indicates someone who is married

I've never threatened to leave Thailand to go to Vietnam. I enjoy my lifestyle in Thailand.

All I am saying is, Thailand can crackdown on foreigners all it likes. Thailand can make it harder for foreigners all it likes. Thailand can be xenophobic towards foreigners all it likes. Thailand can change its visa criteria all it likes. Thailand can ban agents. Thailand can freeze bank accounts, sim cards, whatever. Thailand can raise the 800k / 65k. Etc etc.

If I don't like it, I'll go to my Plan B, which is Vietnam. I will go from Thailand expat, to Vietnam expat who visits Thailand as a tourist.

I am not like most foreigners here where the Thai government says jump and I ask how high?

I'm single. Never bought a property here. I have nothing I can't leave behind and head to the airport in 2 hours, with minimal losses. This is by choice.

Many have imprisoned themselves here, and are now at the whim of the Thai government, but not me.

6 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

How is Thailand making it harder?

There's a whole thread about it on another forum.

5 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

There's a whole thread about it on another forum.

What thread, the one about cracking down on criminals?

Why is that a concern to honest retirees?

1 hour ago, KhunHeineken said:

By the time I am elderly and immobile, I'm pretty sure Vietnam will have a retirement visa by then.

But why would it be any better than Thailand's retirement visa?

31 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Like another member says, I can actually do 6 months in Thailand and 6 months in Vietnam, if I want, and not be a tax resident of Thailand, and not have to jump through any hoops here.

I wonder if the banks back home will stop tolerating people who are not tax residents anywhere.

29 minutes ago, Tourist2 said:

It's the obvious trend - most recently with the tax stuff.

Take a step back - it's obvious

OECD may be putting more pressure on all countries around the world regarding taxation.

I doubt you will be able to live in Vietnam and not file taxes forever.

10 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

I'd be interested to know what you consider to be "international standards"

International healthcare standards: Quality and compliance guide

This is what I got from searching the goals of international standard regarding healthcare.

this sums it up nicely to:

An international standard in healthcare means a globally accepted, evidence-based rule or benchmark. It ensures that medical care, patient safety, equipment, and data protection meet high and consistent levels across different countries.

Key Goals of International Standards

• Patient Safety: Reduce medical errors and lower infection rates.

• High Quality: Make sure care is effective and reliable everywhere.

• Clear Rules: Help hospitals and clinics follow best practices.

• Global Trust: Let medical devices and data move safely between nations.

9 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Why wouldn't they? There's thousands of retired expats in Vietnam. They have no problem with it.

the number is growing rapidly by the day. I can't tell you how many YouTube videos I have watched the last several months from expats on their " retirement" in Viet Nam.

Visa-run every 3 months then from Vietnam ? That adds up if not near a land border. They will probably expand their visas in the near future.

I found Nam cheaper by half at times on my trip earlier this year, but I found selection and ease of living better in Thailand...getting my protein quota for body building was tougher in Nam.

7 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

I am not like most foreigners here where the Thai government says jump and I ask how high?

That's right. You're different.

7 hours ago, save the frogs said:

I doubt you will be able to live in Vietnam and not file taxes forever.

Just stay for less than 6 months, same Thailand or wherever

10 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Just stay for less than 6 months, same Thailand or wherever

Which means arithmetically you have to spend some time in a third country.

51 minutes ago, JerryM said:

Which means arithmetically you have to spend some time in a third country.

Correct, Cambodia or anywhere for a few weeks hol

9 hours ago, save the frogs said:

But why would it be any better than Thailand's retirement visa?

The Thai one is only valid for 12 months and you have to go through the wringer again.... gets harder each year as I get older and some new requirement is added,

42 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

The Thai one is only valid for 12 months and you have to go through the wringer again.... gets harder each year as I get older and some new requirement is added,

The rose colored glasses don't want to hear about such things.

But Vietnam forcing visa runs every three months isn't a realistic choice for very long term retirement as people get older (as they tend to do).

So Thailand wins on that issue, even with their weak one year at a time leash.

On 8/17/2026 at 3:42 PM, ikke1959 said:

And don't forget that Vietnam is more welcoming foreigners than here in Thailand at the moment. There is more freedom to live in Vietnam than in Thailand, where everything is controlled. Retirement is not only sitting at your home and doing nothing, but you have a life too, that results in playing cards for example, which is seen in Thailand as gambling, clubs( which are forbidden in Thailand) were people can meet and organize activities, and don't forget that Vietnam has a working policeforce, that fine people for not wearing an helmet, or drunk driving, and try to keep the country save....

Vietnam is in fact a much better place to live at the moment than Thailand, because Thailand is not willing to reform, and make things better by the conservative attitude... No progress will only result in that things are going back or down. Thailand has a lot to offer but is not using it.

If you have the cash to have the proper visa and lifestyle Thailand wins. If you’re barely existing maybe not. Not my problem.

If I want Viet puntang, there’s plenty in Thailand.

50k American dead. F Vietnam. That’s my opinion and I’m sticking with it.

If and when Vietnam offers an actual retirement visa and especially if it offers real residency security with reasonable financial requirement level they'll be swamped with retired expats.

I don't think that will ever happen because I don't think the government there wants to be swamped with retired expats.

Up to them.

2 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Correct, Cambodia or anywhere for a few weeks hol

So you have to deal with immigration procedures for 3 seperate countries

13 minutes ago, JerryM said:

So you have to deal with immigration procedures for 3 seperate countries

That's ok, same when going on holiday

3 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

That's ok, same when going on holiday

OK 2x for 5+ months

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

The Thai one is only valid for 12 months and you have to go through the wringer again.... gets harder each year as I get older and some new requirement is added,

What new requirement has been added?

15 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

What new requirement has been added?

This year Jomtien wants to see same day passbook update, so delays the whole thing if previously headed there early

59 minutes ago, JerryM said:

So you have to deal with immigration procedures for 3 seperate countries

What Immigration procedures?

Am on a 3 month trip to Malaysia (Part of my >185 days out of Thailand), swiped my UK Passport at the eGates & entered without speaking to an Immigration officer.

When I'm finished I'll use the eGates to depart for a flight to Vietnam for 16 days (Anybody recommend a hotel)? which will take me to 190 days outside.

NB I have never had any Visas/Workpermits etc... this is available to anybody with a passport from any of these 64 countries...

Albania
Andorra
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada
Mainland China
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hong Kong SAR
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kuwait
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Oman
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Vatican City
Vietnam

Edited Wednesday at 02:07 AM2 days by SamSpade

12 minutes ago, SamSpade said:

What Immigration procedures?

My apologies. I haven't exited Thailand since 2019. And I am personally not involved in the 180 days outside Thailand for tax purposes regime.

22 hours ago, khunjeff said:

Vietnam does not have a retirement visa - end of story. If you need to get a job or marry a Vietnamese just to be able to stay in the country long term, that's just not a viable option for people who simply want a place to retire.

I love Vietnam and lived there for years, but it's still a communist state. It's true that - as in Thailand - visitors to VN are mostly free to do whatever they want, and authorities don't care as long as the activities don't affect government control. Once they decide your actions DO threaten their control, though, they will come down much faster and harder than Thai police ever would.

Do you hate the TM-30? Well, VN requires ANY overnight stay to be registered with the police - locals as well as foreigners:

https://vietnamnet.vn/en/police-clarify-vietnam-s-overnight-stay-notification-rule-2535912.html#:~:text=Notifications%20must%20be%20submitted%20before,may%20not%20exceed%2030%20days.

good points. No long term or retirement visa in vietnam. The long stay path really is not there from what I read.

1 minute ago, JerryM said:

My apologies. I haven't exited Thailand since 2019. And I am personally not involved in the 180 days outside Thailand for tax purposes regime.

No apologies needed, I was just sharing how easy the entry via Penang was this time.

TBH was shocked when I got to immigration at Penang & steered away from the immigration queues to the eGates & very happy as I was worried about whether I'd have to have a conversation about why I was spending 88 nights here, especially as I'd already done 28 nights in Feb/March (And was questioned about why I was spending so long then)!

34 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

This year Jomtien wants to see same day passbook update, so delays the whole thing if previously headed there early

I do that anyway, but good to know.

4 minutes ago, SamSpade said:

No apologies needed

OK. I am ill-informed about a lot of things. As far as continuous travel in Asia like I did for many years I think of this:

Paul Wertico was the drummer for many years with the Pat Metheny Group. He says he remembered when he ran in to tell his wife:

Pat just called -- WE'RE GOING TO ROME!

He said he knew it was time to move on when he went in to his wife and said:

Pat just called. We have to go to Rome. AGAIN!

I would be open to living retirement part time in both countries.