Retiring in the Kingdom: useful tips

[jlguenard]

I will retire in the Kingdom with a O-A visa

Before to leave my born-country, what did I forget to do?

When arriving, what must I do to be sure to live in without any harassment?

Sure, large topic it is, but if any clever guy gives a tip, everybody will benefit

Waiting for you, genius!

[Lite Beer]

Moved to General Forum.

[ubonjoe]

First will you be getting a true OA visa from an embassy or consulate or plan on doing an extension of stay from immigration?

I need to ask because many people have confused these two very different things.

[GreenSnapper]

Read Thai visa for a few weeks.

No more tips necessary.

[i claudius]

Just look in the mirror and repeat "i am not a handsome man,i am normal" now when a girl tells you this as you walk around the bars, just remember it ,its your wallet that is handsome

[swissie]

For now you need only 1 Tip:

Stay in Thailand for at least 6 months strictly on a rental basis. During this time, don't make any major purchase like land/house and above all, don't get married. After this time of "learning", life here itself should have supplied you with plenty of tip's (hopefully).

Cheers.

[Maestro]

Jean-Louis, you have already completed one imported step by getting a multiple-entry non-O-A visa as you mentioned in the topic http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/656777-validity-of-an-o-a-multiple-visa/.

If you continue to keep a bank account in your home country, for example to get your pension paid into it, make arrangements for international Internet banking before you leave.

As regards living in Thailand without unpleasant surprises, another member gave good advice by suggesting that you read the ThaiVisa forums regularly. Seeing that you will settle in Hua Hin, I am confident that you will find the Hua Hin / Cha-Am Forum quite useful, and you will learn a lot also by reading Thailand News. Look through the forum index to see in what other forums you might be interested.

[Colabamumbai]

Try to use the monthly income method, save you tieing up money in a thai bank... That rymes dosen't it?

Tieing in a Thai.

[Beetlejuice]

When arriving, what must I do to be sure to live in without any harassment?

Good question and the answers are simple.

Do not get involved with the wrong crowd, and try not to form any long term relationships with much younger women from the underclasses of Thai society.

Lose that Western aggression, it doesn`t work in Thailand and keep a low profile.

Always stay within the boundaries of Thai law, don`t do drugs and stick by the regulations for foreigners if buying land and real estate, business ownerships and working.

Follow these golden rules and will be enjoy living in Thailand in peace and safety.

[Maestro]

I have deleted a troll post.

[arunsakda]

If you hear a sudden sound of a single hand-clap whilst walking down the pavement, do not turn your head. It is just a local tout or Tuk-Tuk driver making you look ridiculous.

[Jingthing]

Bring a good supply of quality clothes and shoes WITH you. The prices for such things in Thailand are likely much higher than where you're coming from.

[MaiChai]

A foreigner cannot realistically retire in Thailand. Why, because you will never get equal rights and will need to constantly prove you meet the criteria for staying. Thus the best advice I can give is don't sever ties with your home country and remember It's home and Thailand is a place you are just visiting.

[smooth expat]

1. Don't buy property.

2. Don't get involved in any business dealings.

3. Don't marry a bar girl.

These tips have been useful for most (living) expats here.

[Salapoo]

For now you need only 1 Tip:

Stay in Thailand for at least 6 months strictly on a rental basis. During this time, don't make any major purchase like land/house and above all, don't get married. After this time of "learning", life here itself should have supplied you with plenty of tip's (hopefully).

Cheers.

6 months?!?

I always recommend 5 years.

Lasted 4 years myself, and wish I held out until 7.

I learned more in years 5-7 than years 1-5, and I came here having already spent around a year in holidays over the 5 years previous to year 1 of living here.

Just when you think Thailand, Thais and Thai culture can't become anymore unbelievable, there ya go, gobsmacked again.

[Jingthing]

A foreigner cannot realistically retire in Thailand. Why, because you will never get equal rights and will need to constantly prove you meet the criteria for staying. Thus the best advice I can give is don't sever ties with your home country and remember It's home and Thailand is a place you are just visiting.

Call it serial retirement in one year installments ...

[Salapoo]

1. Don't buy property.

2. Don't get involved in any business dealings.

3. Don't marry a bar girl.

These tips have been useful for most (living) expats here.

I would say, don't invest anything here whatsoever. Thailand is for relaxing and laughing in. Do that. Anything serious, keep it far away.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

When invited into a strange woman's bedroom, always check there isn't a man, who is dressed as a woman, hiding under the bed.

[plopmeister]

Investigate long term health insurance, including the entitlement in your home country if you leave. What might look like a good deal at 55 years of age could be unmanageable at 70 yrs old.

[jlguenard]

Thank you all for your advices

I forgot to mention that I was already married with a thai lady (since 30 years now, so I know the problem a bit)

I do not own any real estate in the kingdom, but will live in an house in the name of my wife (not too dangerous as I have the right (a paper tells that) to live in

Yes, health insurance is a big question here: incredibly expensive...

[David48]

Bring a good supply of quality clothes and shoes WITH you. The prices for such things in Thailand are likely much higher than where you're coming from.

Good Advice ...

... but since you have been married for 30 years to a Thai lady, I assume that you have visited Thailand at least once during that 30 year so you know how hot it is in Thailand so bring quality SUMMER cloths and shoes and if you a + size (larger size) lot's and lot's of underwear.

Depending on your level of medication, make sure to bring them. You will able to buy the same in Thailand, but maybe not the same Brand name.

[David48]

Thank you all for your advices

I forgot to mention that I was already married with a thai lady (since 30 years now, so I know the problem a bit)

I do not own any real estate in the kingdom, but will live in an house in the name of my wife (not too dangerous as I have the right (a paper tells that) to live in

Yes, health insurance is a big question here: incredibly expensive...

Just in case anyone missed this updated information from the OP ...

"I forgot to mention that I was already married with a thai lady (since 30 years now, so I know the problem a bit)"

[wayned]

A foreigner cannot realistically retire in Thailand. Why, because you will never get equal rights and will need to constantly prove you meet the criteria for staying. Thus the best advice I can give is don't sever ties with your home country and remember It's home and Thailand is a place you are just visiting.

Call it serial retirement in one year installments ...

Just like life which is also serial. one day, or is it one hour at a time! Rent for a while before you buy anything to make sure that it is actually the area that you want to live. Enjoy yourself.

[wamberal]

Do not burn any bridges in your home country (your born country, as you referred to). You might need to go back there one day, if things do not work out. Do not leave any debts, or other obligations, they will catch up with you, sooner or later.

Thailand is not a paradise. Yes, it is pretty good for some people, especially those who have a fair bit of money to splash around, and who are in good health, and who are clever enough not to believe anything that anybody says to them.

If you have never lived away from your home country before, be prepared for a long period of adjustment, as others have said. But, at the same time, do not compare Thailand with your home country. There is no point. Just make the most of the good things that living in Thailand can offer, and try to accept the things that you cannot change. There are a lot of those.

[mca]

I will retire in the Kingdom with a O-A visa

Before to leave my born-country, what did I forget to do?

Cancel the milk and newspapers? Turn off the lights?

When arriving, what must I do to be sure to live in without any harassment?

Avoid 99% of expats and you should be fine. It's a constant source of amazement to me that some of them actually managed to pack and get to the airport in their own country let alone find their way to Thailand and live here.

[jlguenard]

Thank you very much to all

I have read many wise advices, some funny ones (ie "check who is in your bed :-)). )

But the matter of the topic rather was about what to do with papers when arriving and before departing.

Some I know (declaration at the french embassy, show every 3 months at the immigration...)

What does worry me a bit is what I forgot

For example, I got a OA visa in France and I guess it was far more easier than to get it in Thailand...

I try to check everything before departure, but I worry about what I could have forgotten (serms I'm an anxious guy....)

[JetsetBkk]

Thank you very much to all

I have read many wise advices, some funny ones (ie "check who is in your bed :-)). )

But the matter of the topic rather was about what to do with papers when arriving and before departing.

Some I know (declaration at the french embassy, show every 3 months at the immigration...)

What does worry me a bit is what I forgot

For example, I got a OA visa in France and I guess it was far more easier than to get it in Thailand...

I try to check everything before departure, but I worry about what I could have forgotten (serms I'm an anxious guy....)

You can't get an O-A in Thailand... but we know what you mean.

Just make sure immigration give you the correct stamp in your passport when you arrive. Some of the desk jockeys don't know what an O-A is.

.

[kannot]

Simple "don't retire here"

[Jingthing]

Simple "don't retire here"

That's a lesson people need to learn on their own through experience.

[Nana Cowboy]

I recommend finding the right girl, marrying her, build a house on her land (or buy land in her name), buy a car and truck, let her take care of all finances and you can relax. You think I'm kidding I'm sure but I am not. I did exactly this after taking 7 years to find her. I was not looking for her but she popped into my life unexpectedly. Obviously she has to be the right girl but you'll know when you find her. It's easier than you think. Don;t waste time with the wrong one like I did for 7 years. That just wastes time and money. I knew she was wrong and bought her nothing, just gave her a monthly wage which she squandered. Seek out a university grad who is working, that's what I ended up with after my uneducated with kid Issan girl dumped me. Yes she dumped me and thank god she did. She got her 1st bar job right after moving out of my place. LOL. true story. My tips based on real life

I let her do the driving, design the house build, do all shopping. Heck I just turned 52 and I'm retired. I don't want to do anything so she does it all. She's 29 and motivated. Thus OP if you can replicate this you'll be a happy retiree as I am. I totally understand all the folks warning against buying houses, land, cars and everything in wife's name or gf. I too warn against this. It must be the right girl and I found out right away that Thailand is very straight forward in determining who is and is not the right one. I've seen the catastrophes all around me. the guy who bought the house and car for the Burriram girl he met in the bar. He wanted her to have his baby and be faithful. lol, duh, he loved her though and this guy was a top paid engineer. Then of course there'a a bunch more like the guy who bought the bank teller the house in Udon. He moved there and was back to the city in less than a year through with her. So there you have it in a nut shell