Enormous Shakeup Of Visa And Immigration Rules

[DFCarlson]

Very basically, you have to be 50 years of age or older and have 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank.

That's me. I fit the bill. If that's all that's required, no problem. But the implication here is that you need hardly any retirement income to retire in Thailand, just around A$30,000 in savings. If you were prepared to live like a Thai in one of the smaller towns outside Bangkok and away from the tourist spots like Phuket and Pattaya, you could probably live comfortably on 10,000 Baht a month (about A$350 or US$275).

As long as you top up your 800,000 Baht deposit at the visa renewal time, then you're right. Is that correct?

What about interest rates on that 800,000 Baht deposit? Can it be in a fixed term investment to attract a higher interest rate? What about shipping in a few possessions, such as a car, a TV, a computer, a hi fi system etc? No problem?

You will also need a medical certificate and a criminal record check from your home country for your initial retirement visa application. I would suggest that you check with the Royal Thai Embassy or consulate in Australia to be sure that you have all the requirements identified. And the 800,000 baht for the initial application does not have to be in a Thai bank. Mine was in US$ in an American bank.

For renewal each year, as long as you top up your 800,000 Baht deposit 3 months before renewal time, then you're OK, but check with immigration for additional requirements.

The amount of monthly income you may need to live in Thailand varies widely with where you live and the amenities of daily life that you may want or need or are willing to do without. You may be able to survive on 10,000 baht per month but IMHO not very comfortably. I would plan on having a minimum monthly income of at least 20,000 baht per month and that will probably cover a basic existence with a few amenities for one person outside the larger tourist areas. Double that minimum at least for Bangkok, Pattaya, and other more expensive areas.

Other opinions welcome!!

Edited January 3, 2007 by DFCarlson

[mijan24]

Very basically, you have to be 50 years of age or older and have 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank.

That's me. I fit the bill. If that's all that's required, no problem. But the implication here is that you need hardly any retirement income to retire in Thailand, just around A$30,000 in savings. If you were prepared to live like a Thai in one of the smaller towns outside Bangkok and away from the tourist spots like Phuket and Pattaya, you could probably live comfortably on 10,000 Baht a month (about A$350 or US$275).

As long as you top up your 800,000 Baht deposit at the visa renewal time, then you're right. Is that correct?

What about interest rates on that 800,000 Baht deposit? Can it be in a fixed term investment to attract a higher interest rate? What about shipping in a few possessions, such as a car, a TV, a computer, a hi fi system etc? No problem?

You will also need a medical certificate and a criminal record check from your home country for your initial retirement visa application. I would suggest that you check with the Royal Thai Embassy or consulate in Australia to be sure that you have all the requirements identified. And the 800,000 baht for the initial application does not have to be in a Thai bank. Mine was in US$ in an American bank.

For renewal each year, as long as you top up your 800,000 Baht deposit 3 months before renewal time, then you're OK, but check with immigration for additional requirements.

The amount of monthly income you may need to live in Thailand varies widely with where you live and the amenities of daily life that you may want or need or are willing to do without. You may be able to survive on 10,000 baht per month but IMHO not very comfortably. I would plan on having a minimum monthly income of at least 20,000 baht per month and that will probably cover a basic existence with a few amenities for one person outside the larger tourist areas. Double that minimum at least for Bangkok, Pattaya, and other more expensive areas.

Other opinions welcome!!

Without going through the 800+ posts on this topic - I thought the 800000 BAHT only applied to those that had used this medium prior to Oct 1 2006 (hence grandfathered) post this date I was unDer the belief the amount was 65000 BAHT income from within or from outside of thailand withe the new provision that the income can be from HUSBAND AND/OR WIFE.

Edited January 3, 2007 by mijan24

[Lite Beer]

No need for a medical certificate.

[thaihome]

I thought the home country police check was only required for the O-A applied for in home country. For a straight Non Imm O, you get a 90 day stamp on entry than apply for 1 year extension stay, don't believe a police check is required. Not sure about medical.

There is no duty exemption given for type O, you need a work permit. You can probably work out a deal with freight forwarding agent in Thailand for customs payment. Trying to bring a car in would make that deal very expensive.

TH

[Lite Beer]

Very basically, you have to be 50 years of age or older and have 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank.

That's me. I fit the bill. If that's all that's required, no problem. But the implication here is that you need hardly any retirement income to retire in Thailand, just around A$30,000 in savings. If you were prepared to live like a Thai in one of the smaller towns outside Bangkok and away from the tourist spots like Phuket and Pattaya, you could probably live comfortably on 10,000 Baht a month (about A$350 or US$275).

As long as you top up your 800,000 Baht deposit at the visa renewal time, then you're right. Is that correct?

What about interest rates on that 800,000 Baht deposit? Can it be in a fixed term investment to attract a higher interest rate? What about shipping in a few possessions, such as a car, a TV, a computer, a hi fi system etc? No problem?

You will also need a medical certificate and a criminal record check from your home country for your initial retirement visa application. I would suggest that you check with the Royal Thai Embassy or consulate in Australia to be sure that you have all the requirements identified. And the 800,000 baht for the initial application does not have to be in a Thai bank. Mine was in US$ in an American bank.

For renewal each year, as long as you top up your 800,000 Baht deposit 3 months before renewal time, then you're OK, but check with immigration for additional requirements.

The amount of monthly income you may need to live in Thailand varies widely with where you live and the amenities of daily life that you may want or need or are willing to do without. You may be able to survive on 10,000 baht per month but IMHO not very comfortably. I would plan on having a minimum monthly income of at least 20,000 baht per month and that will probably cover a basic existence with a few amenities for one person outside the larger tourist areas. Double that minimum at least for Bangkok, Pattaya, and other more expensive areas.

Other opinions welcome!!

Without going through the 800+ posts on this topic - I thought the 800000 BAHT only applied to those that had used this medium prior to Oct 1 2006 (hence grandfathered) post this date I was unDer the belief the amount was 65000 BAHT income from within or from outside of thailand withe the new provision that the income can be from HUSBAND AND/OR WIFE.

The requirments for retirement have not changed . You are thinking about marriage.

[DFCarlson]

Very basically, you have to be 50 years of age or older and have 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank.

That's me. I fit the bill. If that's all that's required, no problem. But the implication here is that you need hardly any retirement income to retire in Thailand, just around A$30,000 in savings. If you were prepared to live like a Thai in one of the smaller towns outside Bangkok and away from the tourist spots like Phuket and Pattaya, you could probably live comfortably on 10,000 Baht a month (about A$350 or US$275).

As long as you top up your 800,000 Baht deposit at the visa renewal time, then you're right. Is that correct?

What about interest rates on that 800,000 Baht deposit? Can it be in a fixed term investment to attract a higher interest rate? What about shipping in a few possessions, such as a car, a TV, a computer, a hi fi system etc? No problem?

You will also need a medical certificate and a criminal record check from your home country for your initial retirement visa application. I would suggest that you check with the Royal Thai Embassy or consulate in Australia to be sure that you have all the requirements identified. And the 800,000 baht for the initial application does not have to be in a Thai bank. Mine was in US$ in an American bank.

For renewal each year, as long as you top up your 800,000 Baht deposit 3 months before renewal time, then you're OK, but check with immigration for additional requirements.

The amount of monthly income you may need to live in Thailand varies widely with where you live and the amenities of daily life that you may want or need or are willing to do without. You may be able to survive on 10,000 baht per month but IMHO not very comfortably. I would plan on having a minimum monthly income of at least 20,000 baht per month and that will probably cover a basic existence with a few amenities for one person outside the larger tourist areas. Double that minimum at least for Bangkok, Pattaya, and other more expensive areas.

Other opinions welcome!!

Without going through the 800+ posts on this topic - I thought the 800000 BAHT only applied to those that had used this medium prior to Oct 1 2006 (hence grandfathered) post this date I was unDer the belief the amount was 65000 BAHT income from within or from outside of thailand withe the new provision that the income can be from HUSBAND AND/OR WIFE.

I believe that you're confusing the marriage visa with the retirement visa. As far as I know the requirements for a retirement visa are 800,000 baht equivalent in the bank OR 65,000 baht per month income.

For the marriage visa you used to be able to show either 400,000 baht in the bank OR 40,000 baht per month. Now you must show income of 40,000 baht per month for renewal. The requirement for 400,000 baht only applies to those who are grandfathered in.

[DFCarlson]

No need for a medical certificate.

I believe you will need a medical certificate as well as a criminal record check if you apply for the non-immigrant O-A retirement visa in your home country.

[BlackJack]

Very basically, you have to be 50 years of age or older and have 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank.

That's me. I fit the bill. If that's all that's required, no problem. But the implication here is that you need hardly any retirement income to retire in Thailand, just around A$30,000 in savings. If you were prepared to live like a Thai in one of the smaller towns outside Bangkok and away from the tourist spots like Phuket and Pattaya, you could probably live comfortably on 10,000 Baht a month (about A$350 or US$275).

As long as you top up your 800,000 Baht deposit at the visa renewal time, then you're right. Is that correct?

What about interest rates on that 800,000 Baht deposit? Can it be in a fixed term investment to attract a higher interest rate? What about shipping in a few possessions, such as a car, a TV, a computer, a hi fi system etc? No problem?

You will also need a medical certificate and a criminal record check from your home country for your initial retirement visa application. I would suggest that you check with the Royal Thai Embassy or consulate in Australia to be sure that you have all the requirements identified. And the 800,000 baht for the initial application does not have to be in a Thai bank. Mine was in US$ in an American bank.

For renewal each year, as long as you top up your 800,000 Baht deposit 3 months before renewal time, then you're OK, but check with immigration for additional requirements.

The amount of monthly income you may need to live in Thailand varies widely with where you live and the amenities of daily life that you may want or need or are willing to do without. You may be able to survive on 10,000 baht per month but IMHO not very comfortably. I would plan on having a minimum monthly income of at least 20,000 baht per month and that will probably cover a basic existence with a few amenities for one person outside the larger tourist areas. Double that minimum at least for Bangkok, Pattaya, and other more expensive areas.

Other opinions welcome!!

living on 10 grand a month

I am certain the girlfriend will have something to say about that

[Barryz]

<br /><br />living on 10 grand a month<br />I am certain the girlfriend will have something to say about that<br /> <img src="style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /><br /><br /><br /><br />

Okay, she can have 10 grand as well. Call it 20,000 Baht a month. I've seen reports on the net of teachers living well in Bangkok on 40,000 a month. The cost of living in a place like Petchabun or Isaan must be at most half the cost of living in Bangkok, isn't it?

[DFCarlson]

Okay, she can have 10 grand as well. Call it 20,000 Baht a month. I've seen reports on the net of teachers living well in Bangkok on 40,000 a month. The cost of living in a place like Petchabun or Isaan must be at most half the cost of living in Bangkok, isn't it?

Don't forget the gold for your gf!

[Arkady]

Okay, she can have 10 grand as well. Call it 20,000 Baht a month. I've seen reports on the net of teachers living well in Bangkok on 40,000 a month. The cost of living in a place like Petchabun or Isaan must be at most half the cost of living in Bangkok, isn't it?

Don't forget the gold for your gf!

Don't need to worry about the gf. If you are that poor, you will certainly not have a Thai girlfriend. You will be classified as "farang khee nok" - bird shit farang - and avoided like the plague.

[sumrit]

No need for a medical certificate.

I believe you will need a medical certificate as well as a criminal record check if you apply for the non-immigrant O-A retirement visa in your home country.

If you get a non-immigrant O from your home country then apply for a 12 month extention in Thailand you don't need a medical certificate or criminal record check from your home country, but you have to do 90 day border runs untill you get the 12 month extention and remember the800K baht must be in the bank in Thailand for 3 months prior to the application.

[smartecosse]

Okay, she can have 10 grand as well. Call it 20,000 Baht a month. I've seen reports on the net of teachers living well in Bangkok on 40,000 a month. The cost of living in a place like Petchabun or Isaan must be at most half the cost of living in Bangkok, isn't it?

Don't forget the gold for your gf!

Don't need to worry about the gf. If you are that poor, you will certainly not have a Thai girlfriend. You will be classified as "farang khee nok" - bird shit farang - and avoided like the plague.

[Barryz]

Don't need to worry about the gf. If you are that poor, you will certainly not have a Thai girlfriend. You will be classified as "farang khee nok" - bird shit farang - and avoided like the plague.

Geez! Looks like I've got the wrong impression here. I thought Thai people were generally very respectful to farangs. Now you're telling me they are just like anyone else (worse, perhaps) and dish out the respect in proportion to the wealth they think the farang has.

About a year ago in Khanchanaburi, not exactly off the beaten track, an expat Australian renting a house there with his Thai wife and family, told me living expenses in Thailand are 1/6th what they are in Australia. 20,000 Baht a month is A$700 a month, times 6=A$4200/month=A$50,000 a year.

I don't need A$50,000 a year to live a comfortable, retired life in Australia.

[BlackJack]

Don't need to worry about the gf. If you are that poor, you will certainly not have a Thai girlfriend. You will be classified as "farang khee nok" - bird shit farang - and avoided like the plague.

Geez! Looks like I've got the wrong impression here. I thought Thai people were generally very respectful to farangs. Now you're telling me they are just like anyone else (worse, perhaps) and dish out the respect in proportion to the wealth they think the farang has.

About a year ago in Khanchanaburi, not exactly off the beaten track, an expat Australian renting a house there with his Thai wife and family, told me living expenses in Thailand are 1/6th what they are in Australia. 20,000 Baht a month is A$700 a month, times 6=A$4200/month=A$50,000 a year.

I don't need A$50,000 a year to live a comfortable, retired life in Australia.

to plan on 10K or even 20K per month is plan dumb - this is not living it is existing

there are so many expected and unexpected events that you need to take care of in Thailand.

You dont want to be fighting with the GF about money all the time

I suggest you sit down and make a list of what you need - house, condo, rent buy? car, motor bike, gas, reg, insurance for health and bike, electricity, water, condo fees, transport, food, grog, mia noi, clothes, mother, father brothers sisters buffalo's, tractor, GOLD, GOLD, dental, doctors, etc etc, medicine, trips home, bank fees, maybe a little baby or 2

then add it all up

then divide by 12

then add 25%

this is roughly what your up for

[Lite Beer]

Don't need to worry about the gf. If you are that poor, you will certainly not have a Thai girlfriend. You will be classified as "farang khee nok" - bird shit farang - and avoided like the plague.

Geez! Looks like I've got the wrong impression here. I thought Thai people were generally very respectful to farangs. Now you're telling me they are just like anyone else (worse, perhaps) and dish out the respect in proportion to the wealth they think the farang has.

About a year ago in Khanchanaburi, not exactly off the beaten track, an expat Australian renting a house there with his Thai wife and family, told me living expenses in Thailand are 1/6th what they are in Australia. 20,000 Baht a month is A$700 a month, times 6=A$4200/month=A$50,000 a year.

I don't need A$50,000 a year to live a comfortable, retired life in Australia.

Barry trust me. You will need at least 25,000 Baht a month. That will get you by. But recomend you budget for more.

[Barryz]

to plan on 10K or even 20K per month is plan dumb - this is not living it is existing

there are so many expected and unexpected events that you need to take care of in Thailand.

You dont want to be fighting with the GF about money all the time

I suggest you sit down and make a list of what you need - house, condo, rent buy? car, motor bike, gas, reg, insurance for health and bike, electricity, water, condo fees, transport, food, grog, mia noi, clothes, mother, father brothers sisters buffalo's, tractor, GOLD, GOLD, dental, doctors, etc etc, medicine, trips home, bank fees, maybe a little baby or 2

We are taling about retirement, BlackJack, aren't we? Sounds to me like you're talking about raising a family with all the trials and tribulations that that involves. (I notice you missed 'school fees' from that list.)

My idea was to have a relaxing time amongst people who seem genuinely good natured, respectful and fun loving. I would do my best to learn Thai and, if there was any interest from anyone, teach English, either for nothing or for a small return.

Bearing in mind that tourists often pay more than Thais for the same service, I got the impression my self, when I was over in Thailand, that many basic living costs really are about 1/6th the price they are in Australia.

In Australia, I need a car. The distances are so great and the bus services sometimes non-existent or infrequent. Jumping in a tuktuk in Thailand was easy, cheap and fun. Why would I want the expense and trouble of owning a bike or car?

As for girl friends squabbling for money, I guess you just have to choose 'em well. I wouldn't want to shack up with someone too greedy.

Edited January 3, 2007 by Barryz

[sriracha john]

As long as we are interjecting all sorts of off-topic discussions into what is a visa thread...

I would put forth that one of the factors regarding the necessary minimums for cost of living in these discussions is the dual pricing for foreigners...

[pumper]

>>If you use the 800k bank deposit method the money must be in account for the 3 months prior to application/renewal. <<

a first time retirement visa applicant must have 800K Thb in a Thai bank for 3 months before application?

seems reasonable for a renewal but for first time a major catch 22.

[Arkady]

to plan on 10K or even 20K per month is plan dumb - this is not living it is existing

there are so many expected and unexpected events that you need to take care of in Thailand.

You dont want to be fighting with the GF about money all the time

I suggest you sit down and make a list of what you need - house, condo, rent buy? car, motor bike, gas, reg, insurance for health and bike, electricity, water, condo fees, transport, food, grog, mia noi, clothes, mother, father brothers sisters buffalo's, tractor, GOLD, GOLD, dental, doctors, etc etc, medicine, trips home, bank fees, maybe a little baby or 2

We are taling about retirement, BlackJack, aren't we? Sounds to me like you're talking about raising a family with all the trials and tribulations that that involves. (I notice you missed 'school fees' from that list.)

My idea was to have a relaxing time amongst people who seem genuinely good natured, respectful and fun loving. I would do my best to learn Thai and, if there was any interest from anyone, teach English, either for nothing or for a small return.

Bearing in mind that tourists often pay more than Thais for the same service, I got the impression my self, when I was over in Thailand, that many basic living costs really are about 1/6th the price they are in Australia.

In Australia, I need a car. The distances are so great and the bus services sometimes non-existent or infrequent. Jumping in a tuktuk in Thailand was easy, cheap and fun. Why would I want the expense and trouble of owning a bike or car?

As for girl friends squabbling for money, I guess you just have to choose 'em well. I wouldn't want to shack up with someone too greedy.

The very greedy ones are easy to spot due to their tatoos and multiple body piercings! But also bear in mind that many Thai women from ordinary families have to support parents, grandparents, younger siblings, their own children from an earlier relationship etc etc. There is no welfare system in Thailand and most Thais have no pension or medical insurance.

[Habs]

Okay, she can have 10 grand as well. Call it 20,000 Baht a month. I've seen reports on the net of teachers living well in Bangkok on 40,000 a month. The cost of living in a place like Petchabun or Isaan must be at most half the cost of living in Bangkok, isn't it?

Don't forget the gold for your gf!

Don't need to worry about the gf. If you are that poor, you will certainly not have a Thai girlfriend. You will be classified as "farang khee nok" - bird shit farang - and avoided like the plague.

[Habs]

Don't need to worry about the gf. If you are that poor, you will certainly not have a Thai girlfriend. You will be classified as "farang khee nok" - bird shit farang - and avoided like the plague.

Geez! Looks like I've got the wrong impression here. I thought Thai people were generally very respectful to farangs. Now you're telling me they are just like anyone else (worse, perhaps) and dish out the respect in proportion to the wealth they think the farang has.

About a year ago in Khanchanaburi, not exactly off the beaten track, an expat Australian renting a house there with his Thai wife and family, told me living expenses in Thailand are 1/6th what they are in Australia. 20,000 Baht a month is A$700 a month, times 6=A$4200/month=A$50,000 a year.

I don't need A$50,000 a year to live a comfortable, retired life in Australia.

[beerchang]

I look forward to the day, when some has the balls, to take the immigration department to the International Court in the Hague, for seperating a man from his legally wedded wife!

Good luck with that.. But be sure to bring a case against virtually every country in the world when you do it..

You don't get an automatic right to live in any country just because you are married to someone..

This has been the case since the middle ages almost.

For those that are genuine there will be no problem. For those that are scamming expect to get caught out.

It's the same the world over.

Get a lawyer. Do the paperwork. Pay the fees, and everything will be fine.

Sit and whinge and moan and criticize and you can always expect your worst nightmares to come true.

I am genuinely married and have been for five and half years. The point here is that the Thai system, has no form of redress for mistakes, moreover after being married for a certain period of time, one should not have to be reliant on annual renewals, but be given some form of permanent residency, providing all the paper work and the circumstances are kosher! But that is not the case, I know someone who has been married here for 27 years and still has to go through the ridiculous process of annual renewal. If his wife had gone to the UK with him, should could have been a prominient local politician or even an MP by now! But here your just a foreigner!

Here here!

[Barryz]

The very greedy ones are easy to spot due to their tatoos and multiple body piercings! But also bear in mind that many Thai women from ordinary families have to support parents, grandparents, younger siblings, their own children from an earlier relationship etc etc. There is no welfare system in Thailand and most Thais have no pension or medical insurance.

I'm not at all sure I want to retire in Thailnd for the purpose of being a personal welfare donor to an entire, extended Thai family, but I gather from reading other threads on this forum that some farangs are happy in this role.

I see I shall have to plan such a move with great care .

[lopburi3]

>>If you use the 800k bank deposit method the money must be in account for the 3 months prior to application/renewal. <<

a first time retirement visa applicant must have 800K Thb in a Thai bank for 3 months before application?

seems reasonable for a renewal but for first time a major catch 22.

Why? A retirement long stay visa is available in your home country with the funds in your home country and you then have a year (or two) to set up the bank account in Thailand if you are going to use bank deposit.

If you have a sudden urge while here you can open a bank account, obtain a new tourist visa to cover 3 months, then convert/extend.

I understand you are thinking about the 90 days but it is easy to avoid the problem with one trip out.

[Barryz]

Surely you can open a bank account in Thailand any time, whilst on a short holiday for example, and transfer funds from your home country anytime you want. I believe all you need to open a Thai bank account is (perhaps) a letter of introduction from your own bank back home, and proof of identity.

The main issue for me in all this, is that interest rates in Australia are probably higher than in Thailand, so having money in a Thai bank may not be good from the purely investment aspect.

[LivinLOS]

Don't need to worry about the gf. If you are that poor, you will certainly not have a Thai girlfriend. You will be classified as "farang khee nok" - bird shit farang - and avoided like the plague.

Geez! Looks like I've got the wrong impression here. I thought Thai people were generally very respectful to farangs. Now you're telling me they are just like anyone else (worse, perhaps) and dish out the respect in proportion to the wealth they think the farang has.

About a year ago in Khanchanaburi, not exactly off the beaten track, an expat Australian renting a house there with his Thai wife and family, told me living expenses in Thailand are 1/6th what they are in Australia. 20,000 Baht a month is A$700 a month, times 6=A$4200/month=A$50,000 a year.

I don't need A$50,000 a year to live a comfortable, retired life in Australia.

Certainly here on phuket.. With just a retired mans life, no party budget, simple relaxing.. It would be frugal under 40k IMO. Thats to live nicely (phone, internet, UBC) but not lavishly (no car etc)..

People seem to think Thailand is dirt cheap.. My experience says otherwise.

There was a very nice detailed breakdown of cost of living in the Andaman post a few months back.. Listed all expenses and outgoings, purely essentials, still came in at 40k.

Thats not factoring in fairly massive inflation thats ongoing.. People relocating must also remember this is a developing nation and its playing catch up, hence as standard of living raises so does expectations and prices. All while the currency grows stronger thereby lowering the inward remittance of fixed non baht pensions.

[BlackJack]

The very greedy ones are easy to spot due to their tatoos and multiple body piercings! But also bear in mind that many Thai women from ordinary families have to support parents, grandparents, younger siblings, their own children from an earlier relationship etc etc. There is no welfare system in Thailand and most Thais have no pension or medical insurance.

I'm not at all sure I want to retire in Thailnd for the purpose of being a personal welfare donor to an entire, extended Thai family, but I gather from reading other threads on this forum that some farangs are happy in this role.

I see I shall have to plan such a move with great care .

Barry

I can see from your replies that you are out of your depth

stay home

you will get eaten alive here

All i can say is plan to fail and fail to plan

[Arkady]

The very greedy ones are easy to spot due to their tatoos and multiple body piercings! But also bear in mind that many Thai women from ordinary families have to support parents, grandparents, younger siblings, their own children from an earlier relationship etc etc. There is no welfare system in Thailand and most Thais have no pension or medical insurance.

I'm not at all sure I want to retire in Thailnd for the purpose of being a personal welfare donor to an entire, extended Thai family, but I gather from reading other threads on this forum that some farangs are happy in this role.

I see I shall have to plan such a move with great care .

The way it works here is the same as anywhere else. If you want some one to make a commitment to you, you have to make a commitment to them. In the case of the Thai women from not very well off families that you are likely to meet, this means helping them shoulder their responsibilities. They may actually be a lot nicer and lower maintenance than the Thais from rich families whom you will not meet anyway. If you want something without commitment, just visit from time to time as a tourist and pay-as-you-go. Alternatively continue to enjoy the welfare state in Oz and see what your market worth is there in terms of the type of women willing to shack up with you and what their expectations are.

[lapamita]

in thailand you need as a minimum per month 30.000 THB for basis western living,,or somebody think get happy eat everyday somtham and fried rice and live in a fanroom???

to this 30.000 you can ad up 20.000 for a not greedy girlfirend incl all costs not only direct moneysuply,and ad up 10.000 for any reserve like medical or however.

that makes you come to 60.000 for a good live or equal in minimum 1500 US$

i personal need around 2000 uS$, on a very good lifestyle.

prices in thaialnd are cheap,,,but not a 1/6,,,some things yes but most NO,

living like a monkey in the dschungle makes ion medium term nobody happy.

if you come here living on 20000 you would be lonely and thais let you feel it

dont think you can

even in tahialnd MONEY MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND