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35
THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 4 June 2025
Thailand Tightens Grip on Retirement Visas Amid Wealth Shift Picture courtesy of Freepik Thailand, a perennial magnet for retirees due to its enchanting blend of affordability, warm climate, and vibrant culture, is recalibrating its approach to foreign residents—a shift with significant implications. Known for golden beaches, delectable cuisine, and the famed hospitality that has earned it the moniker, "Land of Smiles," Thailand has historically welcomed foreign retirees with open arms, offering them a slice of tropical paradise that's both accessible and affordable. However, new policies suggest a distinct pivot towards the affluent, leaving many long-time admirers questioning their future in a country once synonymous with retirement tranquillity. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1362654-thailand-tightens-grip-on-retirement-visas-amid-wealth-shift/ -
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All disappeared.
happened to me many, many years before. just too many clicks. not recoverable, in my case. I now have many gmail accounts, but let's talk about the TWO I have since 2005. yea, nobody believes my email because it's super OP. For this site, you get another gmail. lol. with my TWO accounts. I forward ALL mail and COPY all mail and whatever to BOTH accounts. filters. forwarding, whatever. it's a good safe guard. whatever, forward the spam if you must....just have two accounts and send them to both automatically. then backup to your Google drive, and maybe put it on a USB if it's some super, super important stuff. Print it out if , take pictures with your phone, back that up, do whatever based on how important these things are to you. OR.... pu them in a fireproof safe, bury them in a titanium bunker, and have them watched by one million snakes next to the Temple of Doom. -
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Report Thai Man Jailed in Singapore for Bribery After Public Urination
That's what happens when bribery / corruption is the norm in your home country. Got to laugh. -
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Report Thailand Tightens Grip on Retirement Visas Amid Wealth Shift
Picture courtesy of Freepik Thailand, a perennial magnet for retirees due to its enchanting blend of affordability, warm climate, and vibrant culture, is recalibrating its approach to foreign residents—a shift with significant implications. Known for golden beaches, delectable cuisine, and the famed hospitality that has earned it the moniker, "Land of Smiles," Thailand has historically welcomed foreign retirees with open arms, offering them a slice of tropical paradise that's both accessible and affordable. However, new policies suggest a distinct pivot towards the affluent, leaving many long-time admirers questioning their future in a country once synonymous with retirement tranquillity. For decades, Thailand's retirement visas were considered a golden ticket for retirees aged 50 and over. The longstanding Non-Immigrant O-A and O-X visa categories presented viable pathways into this Southeast Asian haven. Requirements were straightforward: either stash 800,000 baht (approximately US$22,000) in a Thai bank or show a monthly income of 65,000 baht (around US$1,800), alongside proof of a clean criminal slate and health coverage. These terms made Thailand one of the most welcoming places for middle-income retirees—a financial comfort unmatched by many other Asian destinations. Yet, as 2023 unfolded, Thailand threw a curveball with the unveiling of the Long Term Resident (LTR) visa. This new tier, waved like a shiny lure, targets wealthy global citizens with steep prerequisites: a minimum of US$80,000 annual income sustained over two years and US$1 million in assets. This hefty financial threshold has effectively priced out all but the wealthiest of prospective retirees. Furthermore, in the wake of Covid-19 and heightened scrutiny over immigration protocols, health insurance requirements for typical retirement visas have grown more stringent. There’s also a persistent undercurrent of speculation concerning potential increases in financial thresholds for these visas. Anecdotal evidence from retirees suggests increasing difficulty and opacity during application processes, projecting a stark, albeit quiet, message: without considerable wealth, entry into Thailand is becoming an arduous endeavour. The country's decision to pivot towards affluent expatriates is driven by a simplistic yet compelling rationale. Wealthier foreigners, it is argued, bring robust spending power, invest more extensively in luxury housing, and, in theory, result in fewer legal headaches related to overstaying visas or working illegally. Indeed, from a policymaker’s perspective, this seems like a sound strategy, offering immediate financial allure. However, this logic sidesteps the nuanced economic ecosystem fostered by retirees of more modest means. Middle-income foreigners contribute significantly by integrating into local communities, supporting small businesses, and investing their pensions in the very fabric of Thai society—far beyond the borders of exclusive expatriate enclaves. Their continued presence strengthens local economies, weaving vibrant, resilient communities, not merely serving as transient patches of opulence in a tropical landscape. This strategic pivot away from the middle class has already begun reshaping the expat community landscape in Thailand. Online forums and expat networks are abuzz with tales of longtime residents contemplating relocation, driven by the increased cost and complexity of Thailand's visa procedures. With neighbouring countries, like the Philippines and Cambodia, increasing their appeal for retirees through simplified process frameworks and lower financial thresholds, these nations stand ready to inherit the retiree market Thailand once commanded. The Philippines offers one of the most straightforward retiree visa schemes in the region. The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) only requires retirees over 50 to demonstrate a monthly pension of US$800 or deposit US$10,000 in a local bank—accessible terms that come without Thailand’s stringent health insurance mandates or income ceilings. Despite its lesser-developed infrastructure, the country provides a low cost of living, making it a compelling option for those priced out of Thailand. Cambodia, long regarded with intrigue as the ‘wild east,’ presents a minimalist yet effective sway to attract retirees. Offering visa extensions as low as US$300 annually, without demanding proof of income or hefty deposits, the process is noticeably less daunting than Thailand’s intricate requirements. Its allure lies in simplicity, affording retirees the chance to enjoy Cambodia’s charm at a moderate pace and price. Vietnam is also emerging as a formidable contender, especially following announcements of a pilot for long-term investor visas, ahead of a planned retirement visa with lower thresholds. Known for its vibrant cities, delectable cuisine, and a significantly improved healthcare system, Vietnam could woo those seeking a dynamic lifestyle at a more manageable expense. Thailand’s long-standing reputation as a retirement utopia is undeniably at risk. By focusing narrowly on wealthy individuals, the nation might enjoy a short-term economic lift but could inadvertently erode the rich tapestry of middle-class expatriates who helped Thailand earn its retirement haven status. These middle-class retirees don’t simply occupy spaces; they engage, contribute, and become part of the Thai community fabric, offering a steady, reliable economic and cultural exchange often overshadowed by the glitz of high spending. As the global landscape of retirement evolves, and as more nations enter the competitive fray for retirees’ attention and resources, Thailand stands at a critical juncture. To maintain its status as a cherished retirement destination, it may need to revisit the very essence of what made it so appealing—a harmonious blend of accessibility and affordability tinged with genuine inclusivity. While focusing on the affluent offers an enticing financial forecast, it’s the broader tapestry of retirees that sustains and enriches the cultural and economic life of the nation. Time remains for Thailand to recalibrate its strategy, crafting visa policies that strike a balance between economic ambition and the open, welcoming spirit that endeared it to retirees worldwide. Acknowledging this balance is crucial—not just for the country’s economic health but for preserving its identity as a true home for those seeking more than just sun and sand, but community and connection. Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-04 -
10
Is Your Doctor Being Influenced by Big Pharma?
Just like how we evaluate the plumber, the car mechanic, the builder, the place that sells the meat or vegetables we want to buy, the tools we use.... the people we want as friends.... where we want to live .... It's endless !! The evolution of the medical industry over the last 60 years, from a caring , fairly reasonably priced position in society , to the present massive fortress of standardized, impersonal encounters, and protocols that are demanded, not recommended .....with dire consequences to those administering and those requiring care who dare to question "this is the way we do it ! " So tyrannical that even opinions of highly intelligent experts in their fields are immediately punished for offering methods or solutions that differ from the mandated ones. Mandated ! And taking age old remedies off the shelf . Simply psychopaths. Leaving the nest at 16 , i have a long history of experience. Many successful people will agree that we learn a lot more from our mistakes than we do from successes. One thing I learnt was to judge by what i saw , not by what i was told. Many small missteps in my life saved me from making the big fall . How could the whole world , the WHOLE WORLD suddenly be dropping dead and told to follow orders that made no sense ? Stick some crap in my body ?? uh uh . Anyone who undertook to have read 1984, to see V is for Vendetta, to have cause to not trust authority, to not buy into the consumer mentality, to seek freedom over a promised pension after 30 years of service , to feel demeaned by the ongoing expansion of rules and regulations, to see firsthand that the BS passed along as progress was anything but; just fatter, less agile, more aggressive humanoids who were addicted to pharma drugs and tech devices. enough rant . haha . this is the new, updated Rumak N.I. (Natural Intelligence) Anyone with sinus congestion : put a small piece paper towel soaked in very light solution of water and ACV in your nostril . Hold one side and snort up . Repeat on other side . Will clear and prevent an infection . -
599
So Long And Thanks For All The Fish - Ukraine bombs Russian Nuclear Bombers
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