why doesn't Thailand offer long-term visa like Malaysia!

[alexanderkaufman]

See 10 year visa possibility for Malaysia - seems Thailand could benefit from a similar scheme:

Requirements For Malaysia My Second Home

ELIGIBILITY
The program is open to all foreign citizens (including foreign spouses married to Malaysians)

Successful participants are allowed to bring their dependants (wife and children)

FINANCES / INCOME
Below 50 years of age

1. Fixed deposit of RM300,000 (upon conditional approval of MM2H visa)

2. You can withdraw RM150,000 after one (1) year

3. Must maintain a minimum balance of RM150,000 from second year onwards and throughout stay in Malaysia under this program
4. Monthly income of RM10,000 or equivalent in foreign currency (to show during application)

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Thailand does pretty well as it is, and less expensively than our neighbor to the south.

That RM300,000 is almost baht 3,000,000! I'd have a hard time coming up with that.

RM10,000 is about baht 100,000, same here on a monthly basis, but doesn't say if you actually have to have that much, or can fudge a little.

Mac

[samran]

It doesn't need to. Thailand has an easy enough time attracting retiree's without having to resort to gimmicks.

[stoneyboy]

It doesn't need to. Thailand has an easy enough time attracting retiree's without having to resort to gimmicks.

Funny I thought only this year they relaunched Thailand Elite card,is that not gimmicky enough.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/643383-thailand-elite-card-to-be-relaunched-in-june/

[JLCrab]

That's the price you pay to live as a retiree in Thailand and -- in most places -- not have to listen every morning to one or more adhans i.e. morning call to prayer.

[Tomtomtom69]

Thailand only offers a 1-year visa at a time. That's the problem.

[Phronesis]

The Thai visa system falls over because there is no provision for self funded retirees like myself who are under 50 years of age. I do not want to marry or start a business or work as an English teacher and so am forced on to a student visa.

The PI have a more sensible system with retirement eligibility commencing at 35 years of age.

The smile visa eligibility starts at 35 years old.

with the smile classic you can unlock your deposit to purchase a place to live.

And, if so inclined, you could get a letter from your treating GP about your "chronic fatigue" and apply for the human touch visa that only requires a USD10K deposit...

http://www.pra.gov.ph/main/srrv_program?page=1

Edited September 7, 2013 by Phronesis

[tingtong]

It doesn't need to. Thailand has an easy enough time attracting retiree's without having to resort to gimmicks.

the point you missed is : BELLOW 50 years of age!

Thailand is doing great to invite old ppl to retire here, and little to recognise young(er) ppl with thai family who still working ( and not full time expat here).