10 hours ago, BayArea said:

This response isn't directed towards anyone in particular, but I believe posters who have doubts about Viet Nam or shun it for various reasons have never set foot on its soil.

I agree, and this phenomenon happens inside Thailand as well.

You get foreigners saying they have lived here for 20 years, and when asked where have they been in Thailand, it's Phuket and the Issan village, for example, nowhere else, in 20 years, but will argue that Phuket is the best place in Thailand. 😂 😂

I'm on the thailand retirement visa extension. I had 800k thai baht in my thai bank account for years. but I decided to just keep 200k thai baht in my thai bank account because I read somewhere that to satisfy the 800k requirement, you could have a combo arrangement to qualify for the 800k requirement. my social security is about 52k thai baht each month. 52k x 12=624k thai baht. 800k-624k=180k thai baht that needs to be deposited in the thai bank.

so, I just keep a minimum of 200k thai baht in the bank instead of 800k. that is all I want to keep in the thai bank.

in general, I am not worried about being told to leave because I plan on splitting my time between 4 countries each year from now on. 6 months thailand, 2 months japan, 2 months vietnam and 2 month philippines. I'm flexible. so, I can spend split my time any way that I want. being single has it's advantages.

4 minutes ago, DEKEM said:

I'm on the thailand retirement visa extension. I had 800k thai baht in my thai bank account for years. but I decided to just keep 200k thai baht in my thai bank account because I read somewhere that to satisfy the 800k requirement, you could have a combo arrangement to qualify for the 800k requirement. my social security is about 52k thai baht each month. 52k x 12=624k thai baht. 800k-624k=180k thai baht that needs to be deposited in the thai bank.

so, I just keep a minimum of 200k thai baht in the bank instead of 800k. that is all I want to keep in the thai bank.

in general, I am not worried about being told to leave because I plan on splitting my time between 4 countries each year from now on. 6 months thailand, 2 months japan, 2 months vietnam and 2 month philippines. I'm flexible. so, I can spend split my time any way that I want. being single has it's advantages.

I think it needs to be at least 400k for the combo method.

Also some offices won't do combo applications at all.

Maybe prepare to exit.

Search Assist

Yes, when applying for a combination retirement visa, the bank account portion must show at least 400,000 THB. This amount should be maintained in the account throughout the visa year.

Edited yesterday at 11:41 AM1 day by Jingthing

We all love or loved Thailand. But with all the immigration rules and hassles on a daily basis, no choice but to turn to other alternatives. At one point, foreigners just get fed up in being discriminated for nothing to anything.

Just now, SingAPorn said:

We all love or loved Thailand. But with all the immigration rules and hassles on a daily basis, no choice but to turn to other alternatives. At one point, foreigners just get fed up in being discriminated for nothing to anything.

Get ready to be attacked by the rose colored glasses brigade.

1 minute ago, SingAPorn said:

We all love or loved Thailand. But with all the immigration rules and hassles on a daily basis, no choice but to turn to other alternatives. At one point, foreigners just get fed up in being discriminated for nothing to anything.

I never loved Thailand, I came here for work. I like Thailand.

1 minute ago, Yellowtail said:

I never loved Thailand, I came here for work. I like Thailand.

You work in a soapy ? 😂 relax just kidding. Good for you then, What else can we say?

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Get ready to be attacked by the rose colored glasses brigade.

As opposed to the blinders brigade?

How long have you been looking for a better place, at least ten years I think.

Just now, SingAPorn said:

You work in a soapy ? 😂 relax just kidding. Good for you then, What else can we say?

My work has taking to a few soapys, but no, HVAC manufacturing.

Just now, Yellowtail said:

As opposed to the blinders brigade?

How long have you been looking for a better place, at least ten years I think.

At least.

My position is that I'm too heavily invested in Thailand to voluntarily leave and also repatriating to the USA would be extremely unpleasant.. So I research places to have some Plan B's ready in case I'm pushed out for whatever reason. Cheers.

20 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I think it needs to be at least 400k for the combo method.

Also some offices won't do combo applications at all.

Maybe prepare to exit.

Search Assist

Yes, when applying for a combination retirement visa, the bank account portion must show at least 400,000 THB. This amount should be maintained in the account throughout the visa year.

I'm ready. I only want to spend at most 6 months each year in thailand anyway. I can do that on 2 tourist visas. japan allows usa citizens to stay in japan on 90 visa free. you can do this twice each year. even do it back to back. leave for one day and return next day. vietnam has 90 days visa that costs 50 usa dollars. the philippines, you can stay up to 3 years by just paying the extension fees which are about 250 usa dollars a year.

22 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

At least.

My position is that I'm too heavily invested in Thailand to voluntarily leave and also repatriating to the USA would be extremely unpleasant.. So I research places to have some Plan B's ready in case I'm pushed out for whatever reason. Cheers.

I like the US, when my boy finishes school, I may go back.

On 8/19/2026 at 12:09 PM, KhunHeineken said:

Not so much about changes but about hoops to jump through. Vietnam is easier, especially if one is married to a Vietnamese national.

Wouldn't that be the same for anyone in any country.

The wife certain makes my life easier here. No prob being single in between wives, with all thing, govt, hospital, Imm (2 type visas), and my Thai was a lot better.

No changes from rules or extra hoops to jump through in 25 years. Some have a vivid imagination.

On 8/19/2026 at 12:28 PM, KhunHeineken said:

Vietnam is breaking their tourism records. That's tomorrow's expat retiree. Thailand's tourism is in decline. That's tomorrow's expat retiree lost.

https://news.tuoitre.vn/vietnam-tourism-sets-twin-records-in-international-arrivals-in-may-first-5-months-103260604120857023.htm

... "According to data from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the country received an estimated 1.8 million international arrivals in May

For the January-May period, Vietnam welcomed 10.6 million international visitors, the highest level on record for any such period.

... "Thailand welcomed 2.35 million international tourists in May 2026, generating over 100 billion baht in revenue. For the year-to-date through May 31, 2026, the country recorded a cumulative total of 14,032,649 foreign visitor arrivals according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports." ...

2 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

... "According to data from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the country received an estimated 1.8 million international arrivals in May

For the January-May period, Vietnam welcomed 10.6 million international visitors, the highest level on record for any such period.

... "Thailand welcomed 2.35 million international tourists in May 2026, generating over 100 billion baht in revenue. For the year-to-date through May 31, 2026, the country recorded a cumulative total of 14,032,649 foreign visitor arrivals according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports." ...

And Vietnam has ~30% larger population.

2 hours ago, SingAPorn said:

We all love or loved Thailand.

How much love did Thailand give us back????

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

My position is that I'm too heavily invested in Thailand to voluntarily leave

I've always said the best investment in Thailand is no investment in Thailand.

50 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Wouldn't that be the same for anyone in any country.

Did you read the thread title?

"Vietnam or Thailand"

My post was comparing the two, not other countries.

53 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

The wife certain makes my life easier here. No prob being single in between wives, with all thing, govt, hospital, Imm (2 type visas), and my Thai was a lot better.

Not everyone is married, and I'm certainly not going to go and marry a Thai women just because I'm too lazy to do things for myself. I call those people the "I get the missus to do it" brigade.

54 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

No changes from rules or extra hoops to jump through in 25 years. Some have a vivid imagination.

There's around 47,000 foreigners with Thai nominee companies that would disagree with you. 😂

15 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

I've always said the best investment in Thailand is no investment in Thailand.

Yet you yourself have admitted to investing here.

52 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

... "According to data from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the country received an estimated 1.8 million international arrivals in May

For the January-May period, Vietnam welcomed 10.6 million international visitors, the highest level on record for any such period.

... "Thailand welcomed 2.35 million international tourists in May 2026, generating over 100 billion baht in revenue. For the year-to-date through May 31, 2026, the country recorded a cumulative total of 14,032,649 foreign visitor arrivals according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports." ...

Look at all the red in the chart.

https://tourismanalytics.com/thailand-statistics.html

A 7.23% decline.

https://www.visitthailandtoday.com/thailand-tourism-statistics

"Thailand welcomed 32.9 million international tourists in 2025 — a 7.23% decline from 2024's 35.55 million and the country's first annual drop in years (excluding COVID). 2026 has started on a similar trajectory: 10.83 million arrivals through April 19 (-3.34% YoY), with the Ministry of Finance forecasting 30–34 million for the full year. "

https://news.tuoitre.vn/vietnam-tourism-sets-twin-records-in-international-arrivals-103260504172237726.htm

"Total international arrivals in the first four months of the year reached 8.8 million, up 15 percent year on year."

So, Thailand down 7.23%, and Vietnam up 15%.

Do you see the trend?

3 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Yet you yourself have admitted to investing here.

Huh?

I have nothing I can't leave behind and head straight to the airport, incurring minimal financial loss.

On 8/19/2026 at 1:30 PM, KhunHeineken said:

Thailand does attract the classy expat retirees. It's the temples. 😂

TH atttracted you to Patts, for the temples of course.

13 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Did you read the thread title?

"Vietnam or Thailand"

My post was comparing the two, not other countries.

Not everyone is married, and I'm certainly not going to go and marry a Thai women just because I'm too lazy to do things for myself. I call those people the "I get the missus to do it" brigade.

There's around 47,000 foreigners with Thai nominee companies that would disagree with you. 😂

As always, you can't understand what you read. Still full of BS.

Just now, KhunHeineken said:

Huh?

Was that unclear?

Just now, KhunHeineken said:

I have nothing I can't leave behind and head straight to the airport, incurring minimal financial loss.

As can I, but you have invested here

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

Huh?

I have nothing I can't leave behind and head straight to the airport, incurring minimal financial loss.

Does sound like a bit invested.

Same as me, except unlike you, I prefer to leave it all behind, if I left, and why I invested, so wife (even if ex) and daughter could enjoy it. Not enough time left for me to spend it all. Don't need or want it, as more valuable to them.

4 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Does sound like a bit invested.

Same as me, except unlike you, I prefer to leave it all behind, if I left, and why I invested, so wife (even if ex) and daughter could enjoy it. Not enough time left for me to spend it all. Don't need or want it, as more valuable to them.

But a lot of people have to watch every penny, they can't to lose anything.

12 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Look at all the red in the chart.

https://tourismanalytics.com/thailand-statistics.html

A 7.23% decline.

https://www.visitthailandtoday.com/thailand-tourism-statistics

"Thailand welcomed 32.9 million international tourists in 2025 — a 7.23% decline from 2024's 35.55 million and the country's first annual drop in years (excluding COVID). 2026 has started on a similar trajectory: 10.83 million arrivals through April 19 (-3.34% YoY), with the Ministry of Finance forecasting 30–34 million for the full year. "

https://news.tuoitre.vn/vietnam-tourism-sets-twin-records-in-international-arrivals-103260504172237726.htm

"Total international arrivals in the first four months of the year reached 8.8 million, up 15 percent year on year."

So, Thailand down 7.23%, and Vietnam up 15%.

Do you see the trend?

Exchange rate would explain a bit of that ...

Thailand better for expats, better visa, infrastructure, ability to own & drive vehicles

Nan, just OK for tourist, infrastucture terrible in comparison, across the board.

6 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Exchange rate would explain a bit of that ...

Thailand better for expats, better visa, infrastructure, ability to own & drive vehicles

Nan, just OK for tourist, infrastucture terrible in comparison, across the board.

So if you had money in a Vietnam bank you'd have lost 14% to the rate, while you'd have made 1% in a Thai bank.

35 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

TH atttracted you to Patts, for the temples of course.

As always, you can't understand what you read. Still full of BS.

You mean YOU can't understand what you read.

I can it explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.

22 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

infrastucture terrible in comparison,

Vietnam built a world record breaking cable car.

What's Thailand ever build that is world record breaking, other than a sex tourism industry? I do thank them for that, though. 😂

Be sure to check out the drink prices on the menu at 5:33 minutes. 😂

The video is years old, but the prices actually haven't increased that much in Vietnam. 20,000VND for a local beach on the beach is 25THB. Yes, 25THB, no typo.

Ahhhh, yes, terrible infrastructure, indeed. 😂

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

Vietnam built a world record breaking cable car.

What's Thailand ever build that is world record breaking, other than a sex tourism industry? I do thank them for that, though. 😂

Be sure to check out the drink prices on the menu at 5:33 minutes. 😂

The video is years old, but the prices actually haven't increased that much in Vietnam. 20,000VND for a local beach on the beach is 25THB. Yes, 25THB, no typo.

Ahhhh, yes, terrible infrastructure, indeed. 😂

So like we had in 1890, but longer.