2 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

No, I had an office manager until I retired, she was great.

My wife got the Thai social medical, pink ID and yellow book for me, and she handles all the visa stuff now. I just smile for the camera.

So, she deals with all the bureaucracy, and you get to post on here that you've seen no changes and had no problems in 20 years. 😂 😂

Edited August 21Aug 21 by KhunHeineken

2 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

Only as long as he does not care about the law.

Ahhhh, one of those Holier than thou members now, are we. Yes, I'm sure you came to Thailand for the temples, and not the happy endings. I'm sure you've always been licensed on a motorbike here, and always put on your helmet. No way would you or you missus ever offer a bribe for a service. 😂 😂

57 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

It's easy being married to a Vietnamese lass? Tell us more please.

Taken out of context.

A 5 year marriage visa for $50 in Vietnam is easier that what Thailand offers. Get it?

52 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Meh....about the same amount that jumped ship to Cambodia! Bloody lemmings everywhere these days.

Nah. The tourist are voting with their money. Expats will do the same.

53 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Got you good, did she?

Said it many times. I've never been in a relationship with a Thai women. Never sent money for a sick buffalo. Never got involved in property or a business here.

I did not come to Thailand to marry a Thai hooker and adopt her extended family, nor do I feel the need to buy a worthless property or business here.

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

Taken out of context.

A 5 year marriage visa for $50 in Vietnam is easier that what Thailand offers. Get it?

You want context.

I had a very good friend who got married solely to garner better accomodation, benefits and allowances of a married contract on a very lucrative, long-term construction gig in Singapore. They eventually returned to Thailand where they had a daughter, but he treated both her and her mother poorly. He ultimately divorced his wife, quite acrimoniously, and she was sent on her way on a pittance, struck out of his Will with no chance of ever entering his grand retirement pool villa.

Several years later, before he passed away, still an angry and bitter man, he bequeathed his home, his pride and joy, to his daughter. Within a month, his ex-wife, who probably hated him as much as he hated her, was living in his home. Poor bugger is probably still spinning like a top in his grave.

Marriage shouldn't be the lynchpin of one's legal immigration status unless it's your homeland.

53 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

You miss my point. Cambodia has been the bolt hole for many a dodgy farang for a long time already. They have a far lower bar than Thailand when it comes to turning a blind eye to dodgy fooks.

You are missing the point.

Vietnam offers a better product than Thailand for retired expats, and at a better price. Vietnam just doesn't have a retirement visa class yet, but you can bet it's on it way.

What you are suggesting is, because Vietnam is more affordable, only the dodgy foreigners will move there, but I disagree.

A lot of smart foreigner money has already moved to Vietnam, big companies also.

Cambodia has one small stretch of coastline, and they allowed the Chinese to destroy it. Vietnam has many nice beach cities.

10 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Said it many times. I've never been in a relationship with a Thai women. Never sent money for a sick buffalo. Never got involved in property or a business here.

I did not come to Thailand to marry a Thai hooker and adopt her extended family, nor do I feel the need to buy a worthless property or business here.

But you are touting a Vietnamese marriage as an economical entry to an otherwise limited long-term residence there.

48 minutes ago, PhilipHabib said:

maybe — just maybe — the country that literally created a visa category for retirees is the one built for retiring in?

Wild concept, I know.

Do you think Thailand is the only country that can create a retirement visa class? 😂

Same question to you, if next week Vietnam announces the introduction of a Thailand style retirement visa, what impact, do you think it will have on Thailand in the short to long term.

People post like it's an impossibility Vietnam will ever have a retirement visa, when there's every indication they are gearing up for it.

12 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

Said it many times. I've never been in a relationship with a Thai women. Never sent money for a sick buffalo. Never got involved in property or a business here.

I did not come to Thailand to marry a Thai hooker and adopt her extended family, nor do I feel the need to buy a worthless property or business here.

Pity you never took the time to meet a nice Thai woman. Makes all the difference. You sadly seem to lump them all into one category thus proving you have never met a "real" Thai woman.

Rather than spending all day trumpeting how wonderful Vietnam is I really think you should go. You have nothing to hold you here, go to a beach or a mountain and enjoy yourself. As you said you have no interest in Thai women what is the point of staying here. You dont seem happy at all.

49 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

As long as he's not a member of Tweed Heads Lawn Bowls Club, I don't care what Walter claims.

I prefer The Brus Pub to the Tweed Bowlo. 😂

50 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

I know it's a lot of money to me as well, but the cost of keeping it in Thailand is not that much.

One of The Big 4 banks in Australia is offering 5.30% interest.

800,000 x 5.30% = 42,400 baht.

What's Kasikorn offering, 1%.

800,000 x 1% = 8,000 baht.

It's costing you 34,400 baht to have your 800,000 baht here.

Agreed, that's not much, but that's more than the cost of the agent, and it's in a bank in a country where you have rights.

That's why I p*ss myself laughing at guys that proudly say their extension ONLY cost them 1,900 baht. No, it's costing you over 30,000 baht, and for the privilege, you get to queue and wait around. 😂 😂

Take the agents fees out of the 42,400 baht and I'm still way ahead, and that's just bank interest. My fund makes more that 5.30%.

The 800k is nothing more than a donation to a Thai bank.

Edited August 21Aug 21 by KhunHeineken

25 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

You want context.

I had a very good friend who got married solely to garner better accomodation, benefits and allowances of a married contract on a very lucrative, long-term construction gig in Singapore. They eventually returned to Thailand where they had a daughter, but he treated both her and her mother poorly. He ultimately divorced his wife, quite acrimoniously, and she was sent on her way on a pittance, struck out of his Will with no chance of ever entering his grand retirement pool villa.

Several years later, before he passed away, still an angry and bitter man, he bequeathed his home, his pride and joy, to his daughter. Within a month, his ex-wife, who probably hated him as much as he hated her, was living in his home. Poor bugger is probably still spinning like a top in his grave.

Marriage shouldn't be the lynchpin of one's legal immigration status unless it's your homeland.

I fail to see your point?

Many Thai women can not live in my home country, Australia, unless they are married / defacto to an Australian national. The usual progression is spouse visa, PR, and for some, they go on to get citizenship.

Vietnam simply has married to Vietnamese nation, you get a 5 year visa for $50.

Thailand, you still need 400k in bank baht blah blah blah.

25 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

But you are touting a Vietnamese marriage as an economical entry to an otherwise limited long-term residence there.

Nooooooooooooooooooooo.

Where did you get that idea from??????????????

I am simply saying, if a foreigner marries a Vietnamese national, they get a 5 year visa for $50.

The foreigner doesn't even need a bank account in Vietnam. 😂 😂

Now, I did meet an expat who has a sham marriage for visa purposes, put I am not putting that forward as any type of viable option. It's something I would never do.

I hope the above has cleared this up.

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

One of The Big 4 banks in Australia is offering 5.30% interest.

800,000 x 5.30% = 42,400 baht.

What's Kasikorn offering, 1%.

800,000 x 1% = 8,000 baht.

It's costing you 34,400 baht to have your 800,000 baht here.

Agreed, that's not much, but that's more than the cost of the agent, and it's in a bank in a country where you have rights.

That's why I p*ss myself laughing at guys that proudly say their extension ONLY cost them 1,900 baht. No, it's costing you over 30,000 baht, and for the privilege, you get to queue and wait around. 😂 😂

The 800k is nothing more than a donation to a Thai bank.

You never tell us what agent you use or what you pay, but I'm sure it's at least B20K

I have no interest in breaking the law to save about B1,100, and I can take the money out any time I want.

In any event, your B800K in Australia getting 5.3% and paying an agent means you've lost money as the AUD is off over 10% against the THB

26 minutes ago, marin said:

Pity you never took the time to meet a nice Thai woman. Makes all the difference.

I have not ruled this out. I retired younger than most. I have time.

27 minutes ago, marin said:

You sadly seem to lump them all into one category thus proving you have never met a "real" Thai woman.

Wow. I'm sure many Thai women would be offended by your comment.

Enlighten me, what, exactly, is a "real" Thai women?

Or, do you simply mean, as opposed to a ladyboy? 😂 😂

28 minutes ago, marin said:

Rather than spending all day trumpeting how wonderful Vietnam is I really think you should go.

Why?

There's no nightlife on the planet like Pattaya. I have a great lifestyle here.

I merely pointed out that because I haven't imprisoned myself here, and can go if / when the Thai government really wants to start treating farang like sh*t, I draw the criticism of guys who are locked into Thailand.

32 minutes ago, marin said:

You have nothing to hold you here, go to a beach or a mountain and enjoy yourself. As you said you have no interest in Thai women what is the point of staying here. You dont seem happy at all.

I have a great lifestyle holding me here.

What I don't have is a worthless Thai property and / or a relationship with a Thai women. It's called freedom. It empowers me over Thai government hoops.

Like I said, Thailand can crackdown all they want. They can change the goal posts. They can up the 800k / 65k, whatever. if I don't accept it, I'll move to Vietnam. I don't have to jump through their hoops.

You are another one that carries on like Thailand is the be all and end all. It's not.

I have said before, I did not come to Thailand to marry a Thai hooker and adopt her extended family. I like to party with the girls, and happy to pay for the service. Unlike many, I pay them to leave, when others pay them to stay for the month. Not much difference.

I have no idea why you think I am unhappy here. Just because I say Vietnam is my Plan B, and defend my reasons for it being so, why do you think I am unhappy in Thailand?

14 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

You never tell us what agent you use or what you pay, but I'm sure it's at least B20K

I have no interest in breaking the law to save about B1,100, and I can take the money out any time I want.

In any event, your B800K in Australia getting 5.3% and paying an agent means you've lost money as the AUD is off over 10% against the THB

I'm still ahead, and have the security of knowing my money is in a country where I am a citizen, and there is a reasonable rule of law.

You can't take the money out anytime you want because you have to have 800k for your extension.

I laugh at the guys saying their extension ONLY costs them 1,900 baht.

54 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

I'm still ahead, and have the security of knowing my money is in a country where I am a citizen, and there is a reasonable rule of law.

You can't take the money out anytime you want because you have to have 800k for your extension.

I laugh at the guys saying their extension ONLY costs them 1,900 baht.

I laugh at the gut that claim they use an agent ONLY because they claim save a bit of money doing it.

48 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

I laugh at the gut that claim they use an agent ONLY because they claim save a bit of money doing it.

Yea, a we bit too obvious, they don't have any money to be saved. Living out of a box, concerned about cheap beer, along with can't afford to have a real relationship. Most gals or guys, realize right away, they have nothing to offer in a relationship.

I pay them to leave,

7 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

99% of guys who say this really don't.

Vietnam may eventually have a retirement vusa but if they do I predict it will be at a financial level that over 90 percent of retired expats in Thailand won't qualify for.

So don't get your hopes up.

Vietnam doesn't want to be Thailand

11 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Yea, a we bit too obvious, they don't have any money to be saved. Living out of a box, concerned about cheap beer, along with can't afford to have a real relationship. Most gals or guys, realize right away, they have nothing to offer in a relationship.

IMO your explanation doesn't reflect many here like myself. I have the money and it isn't a major concern but even when I had much more money, I never considered 800k ($25k) as a small amount of money. I understand why Thailand requires it but wish they didn't. If there was a way for Thailand to verify money outside of Thailand, that would be ideal but there isn't so it is what it is....

1 minute ago, atpeace said:

IMO your explanation doesn't reflect many here like myself. I have the money and it isn't a major concern but even when I had much more money, I never considered 800k ($25k) as a small amount of money. I understand why Thailand requires it but wish they didn't. If there was a way for Thailand to verify money outside of Thailand, that would be ideal but there isn't so it is what it is....

From your postings, you actually spend spend money, making yourself comfy and enjoying yourself.

Others talk about, oh I have this, I have that, in home country, but live meager life over here and it's a bit suspect.

17 minutes ago, atpeace said:

IMO your explanation doesn't reflect many here like myself. I have the money and it isn't a major concern but even when I had much more money, I never considered 800k ($25k) as a small amount of money. I understand why Thailand requires it but wish they didn't. If there was a way for Thailand to verify money outside of Thailand, that would be ideal but there isn't so it is what it is....

I doubt anyone considers it small amount, I certainly do not, but you have to keep money somewhere, and government here seems stable and the banks seem solid. A higher interest rate would be nice, but it also works as a hedge against currency shifts.

I understand people using an agent to circumvent the financial requirement it if they are unable to satisfy the requirement, and I would not think the worse of them for it. What annoys me, are the guys that claim they do it to save money. They are either cheaters or liars. I have no respect for liars or people cheating to save money.

The people claiming the money is gone, is also annoying. One could always take the money out and change to income method or just use an agent if need be.

I think it a safe bet that if Thai banks were paying 6% interest, the number of people currently using agents that would shift to the money in the bank method would be negligible.

17 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

I laugh at the gut that claim they use an agent ONLY because they claim save a bit of money doing it.

I use an agent for a few reasons. One, I don't trust the Thai government, and I don't trust the Thai banks. Two, it's financially beneficial to use an agent. Three, I don't have to go to immigration. Four, should I pass, I don't leave a mess behind in Thailand that my kids have to chase up.

Sure, some guys who use an agent don't have 800k, but it's a myth that everyone who uses an agent doesn't have 800k.

10 hours ago, Grecian said:

I pay them to leave,

99% of guys who say this really don't.

Many guys pay the girl each month to stay. She basically goes from multiple short time customers to one exclusive customer. Either way, she's still a hooker.

I didn't come to Thailand to take a Thai hooker for a wife, and adopt her extended family and buffalo. It's as simple as that.

Hence, I pay them to leave.

10 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Vietnam may eventually have a retirement vusa but if they do I predict it will be at a financial level that over 90 percent of retired expats in Thailand won't qualify for.

So don't get your hopes up.

Vietnam doesn't want to be Thailand

I also think Vietnam will have a retirement visa class in the future. It will be interesting to see the criteria.

I'm not hoping for it. It's no bother to me. I have no problem doing a visa run every 3 months.

A lot of countries don't want to be like Thailand aka "The World's Brothel." The sex industry here should be a national shame, but just too much money involved.

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

Many guys pay the girl each month to stay. She basically goes from multiple short time customers to one exclusive customer. Either way, she's still a hooker.

I didn't come to Thailand to take a Thai hooker for a wife, and adopt her extended family and buffalo. It's as simple as that.

Hence, I pay them to leave.

Why do you assume the only Thai women that would have an interest in you are hookers from poor familes?

4 hours ago, atpeace said:

IMO your explanation doesn't reflect many here like myself. I have the money and it isn't a major concern but even when I had much more money, I never considered 800k ($25k) as a small amount of money. I understand why Thailand requires it but wish they didn't. If there was a way for Thailand to verify money outside of Thailand, that would be ideal but there isn't so it is what it is....

It is a myth that everyone who uses an agent is broke and hasn't got 800k. Sure, some actually don't have it, but many who use an agent do for other reasons, and I have just posted mine.

1 minute ago, KhunHeineken said:

It is a myth that everyone who uses an agent is broke and hasn't got 800k. Sure, some actually don't have it, but many who use an agent do for other reasons, and I have just posted mine.

What agent do you use, and what does it cost?