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24
Question regarding 90 days report
I had a similar situation recently, and I went to my Nonthaburi immigration office to ask. They told me I had to do the 90-day reporting. -
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LTR Visa is Now available for Long Term Residency
Actually, a person from the US is most likely "not" currently going to be able to get a 6% bank rate like on CDs. Currently the highest CD rate is around 4.6% and that's only at select financial institutions (see snapshot at bottom). Most institutions are probably going to be paying around 4% for longer term CDs....and those rates are slowly going down as the Fed slowly reduces rates. I guess if a person wants to attempt to open new accounts with those select financial institutions paying the highest CD rate of the day then more power to them. Let's say 4% is more real world for most CDs at most USA banks aright now. 4% would earn you $4000/year before taxes....but let's say more like $3,400 after taxes (or approx Bt112,000) after taxes. While Bt112K can surely pay the annual premium for many Thai insurance policies (full of pre-existing exclusions and a big annual deduction) if the person is say under 65, but after 65 the premiums start sky rocketing for a policy with a high annual deductible...and at 75 these skyrocket even faster or you may not be able to even get a Thai insurance policy after 75 unless you already had coverage with the insurance company before reaching 75. It's gets to the point that the Thai insurance policy can make a person feel like they are just pouring money down the drain with little chance of partial reimbursement unless it's for some major/big money medical issues like cancer, heart attach, stroke, etc., which will also have some maximum amount (that ain't that high) they will reimburse. And then you might decide to go back to the home country for medical care where your government universal insurance, Medicare, etc. will provide coverage since the home country govt insurance does not provide coverage when outside your home country. A person definitely needs to consider their age and Thai insurance premiums by age bracket, pre-existing exclusions, max reimbursable per year or by medical event, etc....etc. Health insurance costs vary greatly based on a person age and any pre-existing conditions. Heck, some of these considerations even apply to home country insurance coverage.....each country has different insurance laws, norms of coverage, etc. OK, then don't use a CD...instead invest the $100K in the stock market, stocks, mutual funds, etc., and hope the stock market is always in a up cycle and you always pick good stocks. But realworld the stock market goes up and down in cycles. But now you can't use a stock investment type account to meet the BOI $100K self-insure requirement although some people were able to do so in the early days of the LTR visa program. And jumping back to the CD approach BOI may not accept that if they feel the particular CD can not very quickly be withdrawn to pay a medical bill and/or the CD account is not paying the interest frequently like monthly/quarterly which can be a indicator if the CD can be withdrawn quickly....seems it may really be more like a stock investment account. BOI want to ensure CD funds can "quickly" be withdrawn so choose CDs carefully when that CD acct is being used to meet the self-insure requirement. So be sure you choose a CD acct that does show regular interest payments...the periodic statement looks very similar to a regular checking/savings account. The reason I know this is from back and forth correspondence regarding this about a year ago when I started asking from a curiosity standpoint. Yeap, meeting the medical insurance requirement either by using a Thai or home country insurance policy or self-insuring will be seen differently from individual to individual....and age is a BIG factor. Best CD rate in USA as of July 2025 -
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28
Tourism Child Safety First: Phuket Declares War on Sex Tourism
I am very sure this happens but i doubt very much it is in big numbers. What you mention happens mostly among Thai people and that is not the issue here. In order for a foreigner to hook up legally with a 15 year old in Thailand they would have to be insane. Maybe it does happen but not to tourists? Any US citizen would be breaking the law if they do so. I know a few guys who have married a Thai lady and if i would not know the circumstances you could think, "Why is this foreigner riding with a ten year old Thai girl on the back of his bike?" He is picking her up from school!!! It is his stepchild! I have been offered under age kids before but that was over 20 years ago. You just walk away from a situation like that,what are you going to do? Pretend to be a tough guy and resort to violence? Reporting to the police was also not an option,i was new in Thailand. If you want to live in peace over here you learn to walk away. -
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Travel Shockwaves Hit Travellers: U.S. Slaps $250 'Integrity Fee' on Tourist Visas
Trump's Visa Fee Fury: Tourists Hit with $250 Charge Picture courtesy of Best Place for Travel Inspiration Tourists brace for a hefty new visa fee as Donald Trump imposes a $250 charge on future visitors, just in time for a surge of sports fans heading to the States. This controversial move has enraged critics who see it as a tactic to exploit global events for financial gain. Starting October 1, 2024, travellers seeking to enter the US will face a non-refundable $250 visa integrity fee, which is equivalent to about 9,000 baht. This measure, endorsed by Trump, is part of a broader immigration and border security initiative for the fiscal year 2025. The decision is stirring up dissatisfaction among industry insiders and tourists, who view it as a cash-grab potentially detrimental to tourism, despite America's preparations for major sporting events. The Visa Waiver Program exempts travellers from approximately 40 countries, but it will affect many others, including Thai visitors. Geoff Freeman, President of the US Travel Association, expressed alarm, stating, “We need smarter policies. This fee has the potential to undermine America's appeal as a top travel destination at an unfavourable moment. The visa charge aims to fill funding gaps in immigration services. However, opponents warn it might discourage visitors precisely when America needs them most. The fee's linkage to inflation means it could escalate over time. With the regulation looming, the travel industry is urging a reassessment to safeguard the US's reputation as a welcoming destination. In the interim, prospective tourists should prepare for the added expense, ensure they meet visa requirements, and plan their budgets accordingly. The World Cup is set to kick off in June next year, with the Olympics following in 2028. Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-22
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