Thinking about making the move!

[pt1001]

Hey guys i am new here! I am a UK citizen currently living in Spain. I have been to Thailand many many times and i think in the next year i am going to move over there. Now this question may not be appropriate for this sub forum as i have a few but if any one can point me in the right direction i would massively appreciate it!

 

So my current situation is i work remotely for a UK company so income is stable and meets the minimum requirements for entry to thailand. 

What would be the best option regarding visa? As i would plan on being there for a fair bit of time. Most people have suggested doing visa runs but i am worried about that incase for whatever reason i don't get let back in.

 

also with regards to property what would a letting agent or home owner look for in regards to documentation (visa? proof of earnings? work contracts, bank statements etc?) And could any one direct me to a good website where i can view property for rent?

 

How easy is it to set up a bank account in Thailand? What would i need to bring to open one up.

 

Sorry if the questions are too broad but i would appreciate any answers Thanks!

[DrJack54]

I will have a crack at few of your questions. Thai visa forum is a good start. Always listen to the experts such as ubonjoe and others. The important thing  is your age. If over 50 then I would personally apply for a non O-A visa. You will get 2 years out of that and can look at options. Many threads on obtain non o based on retirement and then apply for annual extensions. 

Also threads on opening bank ac.

With the O-A you can show funds in UK bank. Nice deal. Welcome to Thailand retire. 

If under 50 there is pretty much only couple of options. Good but not cheap

[pt1001]

Hi thanks for your response. I am still only the tender age of 29 haha and i would technically be working as a one of those "digital nomad" s i don't mind leaving the country every 30 or 60 days to get a new stamp but if there are other options...

[DrJack54]

20 minutes ago, pt1001 said:

Hi thanks for your response. I am still only the tender age of 29 haha and i would technically be working as a one of those "digital nomad" s i don't mind leaving the country every 30 or 60 days to get a new stamp but if there are other options...

At 29 there are only 2 options if you really want move here and stay here.

One is elite visa that is not cheap for young fella. 500k baht for 5 yrs.

If your coming here for love then that's your business. I would not.

If for love if Asia then choose other country. My choose if I young would be Vietnam. 

You can live there ongoing.

Edited July 17, 2019 by DrJack54

[NCC1701A]

47 minutes ago, pt1001 said:

Hey guys i am new here! I am a UK citizen currently living in Spain.

a lot of people will be along in a few minutes to tell you not to come. "Its so over. you are too late. they hate us. impossible. you will be killed."

 

 

[pt1001]

1 minute ago, NCC1701A said:

a lot of people will be along in a few minutes to tell you not to come. "Its so over. you are too late. they hate us. impossible. you will be killed."

 

 

ahah never a truer word said! i have had nothing but amazing and warm hospitality in Thai. Hence the reason i choose to move there!

[NCC1701A]

38 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Also threads on opening bank ac.

i have said in the past, "I want to deposit one million baht into a saving account." not joking that works. of course you don't have to do it then and there.

[NCC1701A]

1 hour ago, pt1001 said:

also with regards to property what would a letting agent or home owner look for in regards to documentation (visa? proof of earnings? work contracts, bank statements etc?)

a pulse.

make sure you know on the electic bill how much you are paying per unit. 4 per unit is good. 8 would be bad.

think of renting for one month then go long term. (noise, crazy people) 

new AC units means low power bill, old AC really suck power.

 

Edited July 17, 2019 by NCC1701A

[Martyp]

45 minutes ago, pt1001 said:

Hi thanks for your response. I am still only the tender age of 29 haha and i would technically be working as a one of those "digital nomad" s i don't mind leaving the country every 30 or 60 days to get a new stamp but if there are other options...

Technically you cannot work here as a digital nomad. You need a work permit. Come as a tourist and act like a tourist but long term stay is not for you on tourist visas. Good luck.

 

You should be able to get a bank account and a rental if you look hard enough. 

[mike787]

Watch out for streets...you are a target, your life has less value than a bug when it hits the windshield.   Good luck with immigrations.

[sunnyboy2018]

52 minutes ago, pt1001 said:

Hi thanks for your response. I am still only the tender age of 29 haha and i would technically be working as a one of those "digital nomad" s i don't mind leaving the country every 30 or 60 days to get a new stamp but if there are other options...

Visa runs are not an option anymore. Opening a bank account is usually easy. Renting places is easy. There may be 6 month visa available.  Group your seperate questions in the relevant forums.

[pt1001]

So i can stay maximum 6 months?

Edited July 17, 2019 by pt1001

[pt1001]

1 minute ago, mike787 said:

Watch out for streets...you are a target, your life has less value than a bug when it hits the windshield.   Good luck with immigrations.

im not sure what you mean by that?

[DrJack54]

16 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

i have said in the past, "I want to deposit one million baht into a saving account." not joking that works. of course you don't have to do it then and there.

I tried that few weeks back. Did not cut it. However went to another bank and had zero problem without even mention the money I had with me. 

Anyway all of these posts are missing point for OP.

HE is 29. Forget about bank accounts. Rental lease etc etc. He can only manufacture limited time in Los. For f sake. You need visa for long term stay Los at 29. Save up 500k

[NCC1701A]

2 minutes ago, pt1001 said:

im not sure what you mean by that?

see what i mean.

you should investigate Vietnam as a place to be six months out of the year. 

and just don't tell anyone you are working.

[mike787]

1 minute ago, pt1001 said:

im not sure what you mean by that?

Sorry, I was trying to be too brief rather than ramble.  I am giving you advice, pedestrians have NO value/rights here.  Understand Thailand has one of the highest intenrnational road fatalities, so be very careful on or near a road.  As for immigration, it's a circus of hoop jumping and guessing.   As one post said, come as a tourist and do not work because you risk violating your visa.

[mike787]

1 minute ago, NCC1701A said:

see what i mean.

you should investigate Vietnam as a place to be six months out of the year. 

and just don't tell anyone you are working.

NCC1701A is very right, Vietnam is an excellent place.  People are nice, roads are much safer, visa are easier and cheaper, food is great, etc.

[pt1001]

Well thats the plan really i dont have intentions of telling people i work i just want to come here as a "permanent tourist" i dont care what loopholes i need to jump through to do it...aslong as i dont get busted... managed 5 years in spain under the radar but i need to know the ins and outs.... (i am genuinely an upstanding member of society) hahaha and  i know the risks of thai roads iv almost been knocked down about 20 times in my last 10 visits...but my Hilux avoidance ninja EXP has gone up exponentially 

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, pt1001 said:

im not sure what you mean by that?

Disregard mike787. That comment is rubbish. As in every country you always need to be carefully. I live bkk 7 yrs. I Feel much safer here than my own country AU. And that's a pretty safe joint. 

[NCC1701A]

2 minutes ago, pt1001 said:

about 20 times in my last 10 visits...

how many visits over the last 48 months?

[pt1001]

Just now, NCC1701A said:

how many visits over the last 48 months?

around 7 visits each lasting around a month

[DrJack54]

13 minutes ago, pt1001 said:

Well thats the plan really i dont have intentions of telling people i work i just want to come here as a "permanent tourist" i dont care what loopholes i need to jump through to do it...aslong as i dont get busted... managed 5 years in spain under the radar but i need to know the ins and outs.... (i am genuinely an upstanding member of society) hahaha and  i know the risks of thai roads iv almost been knocked down about 20 times in my last 10 visits...but my Hilux avoidance ninja EXP has gone up exponentially 

You won't manage 5 yrs Thailand. I mean living continious. The online work is not the issue. I'm out of this thread now. OP you talk about in out Spain and yet post such stupid (naive) questions about Thailand.

It ain't Spain buddy. 

Edited July 17, 2019 by DrJack54

[pt1001]

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

You won't manage 5 yrs Thailand. The online work is not the issue. I'm out of this thread now. OP you talk about in out Spain and yet post such stupid (naive) questions about Thailand.

It ain't Spain buddy. Bye

i know it's not spain hence why i am on here asking for help and advice? what the fakkkkkkk are you nuts boyo?

[ThomasThBKK]

 

14 minutes ago, pt1001 said:

Well thats the plan really i dont have intentions of telling people i work i just want to come here as a "permanent tourist" i dont care what loopholes i need to jump through to do it...aslong as i dont get busted... managed 5 years in spain under the radar but i need to know the ins and outs.... (i am genuinely an upstanding member of society) hahaha and  i know the risks of thai roads iv almost been knocked down about 20 times in my last 10 visits...but my Hilux avoidance ninja EXP has gone up exponentially 

 

Thai elite is your only real visa option here. If you have the money 500k for 5 years or better 1mio THB for 20 years it's all easy.

They help you with bank account, driving license, airport pickup etc.

Vietnam and co aren't better long term, no real visa option for you either, property laws sucks, worldwide taxation... 

You can effectively life tax free in thailand if you structure it correctly, that's enough to make an elite visa worth it imo. 

Edited July 17, 2019 by ThomasThBKK

[MeePeeMai]

16 minutes ago, pt1001 said:

So i can stay maximum 6 months?

Get an education visa in Chang Mai.  You can stay here for 1 year on a visa to study either the Thai Language or Self Defense.  My brother is only 39 and just finished his 1 year studying the Thai Language and now he is going to apply for the Martial Arts/Self Defense Education Visa so he can hopefully stay another year.  Good luck!

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, pt1001 said:

i know it's not spain hence why i am on here asking for help and advice? what the fakkkkkkk are you nuts boyo?

Read all my posts. Several very positive. Then you post all your experience in los. You should by now know your visa options living in los. Very limited for young person. So please remind forum what your asking. 

How to remain los ongoing??

You have Thai elite. You can invest 10mill in new property etc etc.

You could get a job obtain non o b. But your a "digital nomad" so that's not an option.

What are your ideas frequent traveler to Thailand?

[Zikomat]

If you are quite sure you spend next 5 year in Thailand - 500 k baht Elite visa is the way to go. All other options will not be much (if any) cheaper but definitely more stressful.  

[NCC1701A]

33 minutes ago, pt1001 said:

Well thats the plan really i dont have intentions of telling people i work i just want to come here as a "permanent tourist"

this statement is going to be a red flag for a lot of forum members because what you are wanting to do is illegal. that is why you are taking some flack now. Thailand is really cracking down on this. See the topics started by people being held in detention at the airport.  

you can stay for six months out of the year, do Ed visa, but at some point they want to see you return to the UK. You can move around Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and avoid Thailand for as long as possible, but at some point they will say no more. Elite Visa is one way to go. Make sure you don't have any infractions with immigration or you can't get a Elite visa.

Edited July 17, 2019 by NCC1701A

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

this statement is going to be a red flag for a lot of forum members because what you are wanting to do is illegal. that is why you are taking some flack now. Thailand is really cracking down on this. See the topics started by people being held in detention at the airport.  

you can stay for six months out of the year, do Ed visa, but at some point they want to see you return to the UK. You can move around Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and avoid Thailand for as long as possible, but at some point they will say no more. Elite Visa is one way to go. Make sure you don't have any infractions with immigration or you can't get a Elite visa.

Excellent post. I mentioned elite visa to OP post #4.

Then later coped flack from same. To be fair not many 29 yrs old have a lazy 500k in bank. I also mention Vietnam. Easy options there compared to los. If op needs Thailand you have given good advice. Available on many tvf threads.

[lkv]

2 hours ago, pt1001 said:

Hey guys i am new here! I am a UK citizen currently living in Spain. I have been to Thailand many many times and i think in the next year i am going to move over there.

This is July 2019.

 

Until next year, many things can change.

 

I advise you research the forum and keep an eye on it , it will keep you updated with Immigration changes.

 

Then 2 months before you want to move, come and ask us and we will advise on the current situation.

 

Best of luck and welcome to the Thai Visa forum.