Why is Thailand making it so difficult to retire

[MichaelJohn]

I'm sure many of TV members have obtained a UK/Schengen Visa for their wives.

How does that compare to the necessary requirements to get the 12 month Thai extension of stay?

For me, despite the recent additional hoops to jump through to stay in LoS, the process here is easier and cheaper than taking the wife back home or a European trip.

[justin case]

we are all tourists, from the guy that landed yesterday to the person that worked and lived here 40+ years...

 

people referring to how difficult it is to get your wife into your country:

 

that is once... than she get a 5 year card, no money showing required, she can work from day 1, own house, car and when you get divorced, YOU WILL pay for her as your government will make you sign papers she will be on your cost..

 

so, please, don't start to compare

 

you and I all have the right to spend money and follow silly rules or HAVE to go home, even you paid for everything, have family, etc...

 

wish I new this crap 15 years ago, would have never moved

 

as my evil ex turned into the monster b.each once we moved here and I found out I had 0 rights ... yeah yeah, blabla, can always return ...but not without my daughter and she is keeping her here against her will also... thai law bullcrap

Edited July 24, 2019 by justin case

[RBOP]

16 hours ago, BritManToo said:

25k gets you an easy retirement VISA.

No, the same documents required. The agent just holds your hand through the process and gets your que number ahead of time so you don't have to wait all day. Cheapest agent wants 15K per person not including government fees and other fees.

Edited July 24, 2019 by RBOP

[RBOP]

9 minutes ago, justin case said:

we are all tourists, from the guy that landed yesterday to the person that worked and lived here 40+ years...

 

people referring to how difficult it is to get your wife into your country:

 

that is once... than she get a 5 year card, no money showing required, she can work from day 1, own house, car and when you get divorced, YOU WILL pay for her as your government will make you sign papers she will be on your cost..

 

so, please, don't start to compare

 

you and I all have the right to spend money and follow silly rules or HAVE to go home, even you paid for everything, have family, etc...

 

wish I new this crap 15 years ago, would have never moved

 

as my evil ex turned into the monster b.each once we moved here and I found out I had 0 rights ... yeah yeah, blabla, can always return ...but not without my daughter and she is keeping her here against her will also... thai law bullcrap

It was so simple to get my Lao wife a 10 year visitor visa for Canada.  Only needed our marriage certificate, passport and her driver license. 

[Martyp]

Hmmm. I see you are organized and have a checklist of things to do. All documents readily available and it requires some time in the copy shop. It's a little more work because you have a family too. The first time can seem a little daunting but after that is is more-or-less repeat the process. You may have been here a long time but you are still a foreigner. What country doesn't treat foreigners differently and keep track of them? An what country doesn't change policies over time? Even in the US I have to prove who I am to comply with new policies.

[phuketrichard]

12 minutes ago, RBOP said:

No, the same documents required. The agent just holds your hand through the process and gets your que number ahead of time so you don't have to wait all day. Cheapest agent wants 15K per person not including government fees and other fees.

not true,you give the agent ur passport, thats it

Up until end of july one agent is offering the 1 year retirement extension for only 14,000 baht

[4MyEgo]

16 hours ago, dcnx said:

Of course this isn’t an issue with all Thais, most of them are really nice and friendly people but it’s clearly an issue with the Thais who are currently running the country, and those are the ones who decide if we stay or go and now difficult our life will be here.

You hit the nail on the head.

 

Farangs have become a threat because we speak what's on our mind on forums and with Thai's, and those with open minds, start to spread our views, which make sense, the ones up the chain don't like it because "free speech" here is a threat, i.e. Thai's must do, not question, listen and do is the attitude.

[4MyEgo]

1 hour ago, jesimps said:

There's always one.

 

Not in my case, lived in Sydney with my Thai wife for 9 years, she didn't work, she supported me while I worked, (house wife) and a damn good one at that.

 

Been here almost 4 years and she is constantly telling me that we should move back, we've seen as much change as others, financially the move is not a problem, although the cost of living back in the land of Oz will bite, that said with kids, the government does provide you with candy annually which helps, so the move might just be on, at least there won't be any back burning, or annual extensions, 90 day reporting to the parole officer in person, by mail or online to name just a couple of things, so there really isn't anyone stopping me, except me so far.

[chrissables]

16 hours ago, wilailuk said:

How any farang from velfunctioning western countries choose to work in LOS as a teacher, or in other lowpaying jobs, is totally beyond me, I don´t understand it!

 

It should be the other way around: Work at good paying jobs offshore, at sea, fishing boat (Alaska crab fishing) etc. etc. - and when you have a s..tload of dough, THEN move here, much, much better..

 

To use your best working years like that, is just plain stupid, and I don´t accept any crying and whining, when people have chosen like that, som nam naa..

 

 

 

 "I don´t understand it!"

 

Indeed you don't!

[rosst]

19 hours ago, Isaanbiker said:

OP, you're damn right with your post. Especially, when you've been here for so long, paid taxes, bought a house, cars and motorcycles and spent a hell lot of money.

 

  The reason for might be that we're not really wanted, but our money is.

 

 I've been here for 17 years and on the job since 2005. In 2005, I signed in a book the next day, nobody had a problem when teachers left earlier.

 

These days, I have to visit the face scanner twice a day, just got my  Criminal Background Check certificate back with my fingerprints on.

 

In addition, all has gotten way more expensive, almost everything is more complicated and local people do not seem to like us, of course with exceptions. 

 

I hope that you've got a good plan for your retirement. I don't have one.

 

In reality, it looks like I've got to keep working and I'll look at a pretty low pension in six years.

 

But will I still be able to work in six years? Only Buddha knows. I hope that you've got all sorted and you've got the mental strength to continue life as you do now.

 

  Pretty soon, I'll have to chose what's more important. Working a few more years back at the place where I came from, without a job, car, motorcycle, house, money and family.

 

Or just keeping eyes closed and continue what I'm doing right now? I just don't know, to be honest.

 

Listen to your inner voice, I wish I had the right solution. Best of luck for you guys!  

 

 

 

   

 

 

I am seeing this more and more, I don't know the answer other than the policy of the country is to make foriegners leave. 

The unreasonable and extensive list of required documents is a beaurocratic nightmare. 

I am now a happy farang in the Philippines, is it perfect? No

All things considered, I made the right choice five years ago. 

I am truly saddened to see this. 

[Road Warrior]

in confirm the comments from 'isaanbiker'

[TPI]

19 hours ago, JimmyTheMook said:

Ain't nobody forcing you to stay.

 

 

Really? What part of settling down with wife and child well within the regulations 14 years ago now required to present reams of paperwork, most of which the government is well aware of, in order to satisfy the bureaucracy, tells you that he is being forced to stay??

 

Please sober up before commenting further! 

[Mikisteel]

I do wonder about Vietnam. I think it has a real mystical appeal. Much like Thailand had but more than Thailand, it is developing at a rate that which could be interesting for farang. I have a few contacts there I should get there.

 

I guess my questions would be:

 

How would the wife take it

Would our son have a better education in Vietnam.

 

It's really not that far from us either.

 

Guess I'd wonder how it would be for medical for all there too.

 

 

[marcusarelus]

4 minutes ago, Mikisteel said:

Guess I'd wonder how it would be for medical for all there too.

In top urban hospitals, bed-sharing the norm
 

https://vietnamnews.vn/society/health/346286/in-top-urban-hospitals-bed-sharing-the-norm.html#J6F6yy2plCk2YRwB.97

[ianezy0]

17 hours ago, BritManToo said:

25k gets you an easy retirement VISA.

I sometimes think that that is what the IO’s prefer you to use an agent. This way they get a slice of the action under the table. If you do everything yourself then the 1900BHT goes directly to the government.

[Uptooyoo]

17 hours ago, moe666 said:

Believe it or not not ever teaching job in Thailand is not crap. A job in a good international school will net you 5,000 us dollars and up a month. But you have to do your home work to figure out how the system works

How many expat-teachers are contributing to their nation's retirement system? Even if I had earned $5000/month as a teacher, I'm glad I did not move here at a young age. If I had, I wouldn't be looking forward to a monthly social-security check, a company pension, and a company sponsored 401K savings plan. When you're young, such matters seem distant and far into the future; so it's easy to push thoughts of retirement to the back of the mind, until one day, you wake up, look into the mirror, and see a 50 year old man wondering how the years slipped by so quickly. Cold sweat and heart palpitations kick-in when you realize it's too late now, that you're destined to a life of slogging through endless teaching sessions, while others your age are off to a daily round of golf and spa treatments...without the anxiety of needing to earn money. Their only worry?  Where to have dinner after the evening swim.  

Edited July 24, 2019 by Uptooyoo

[Pedrogaz]

Each change immigration make bodes ill for the future. I'm looking to get out....Vietnam or Philippines.

Someone earlier made a comment about not making nay plans beyond the date of your visa....but people who are retiring need to be able to plan and not worry about whether the next change will be the one that forces them out. 

I know a lot of decent farangs from UK and Oz who are suffering with the currency movements. The insurance requirements will tip them over the edge I think.

[crazykopite]

I feel for you that in one hell of a long list . Everyone goes on about agents but it’s illegal as far as I am aware , a friend of mine is using an agent it’s costing him 15,000 baht a years extension costs 1,900 baht so someone is making a lot of money I wonder who ! It’s the same when you do your 1st 90 day after your extension of stay renewal the IO told me I have to bring an updated bankbook showing the 800 k and a letter from the bank yet another 200 baht the bank make  ☹️☹️☹️☹️

[BritManToo]

1 minute ago, crazykopite said:

I feel for you that in one hell of a long list . Everyone goes on about agents but it’s illegal as far as I am aware , a friend of mine is using an agent it’s costing him 15,000 baht a years extension costs 1,900 baht so someone is making a lot of money I wonder who ! 

I use a 25k agent, she gets 5k, immigration get 20k.

But it's not 1 CM immigration officer getting the money, it's spread right up to head office in Bangkok.

BJ would have been getting his cut.

[jkcjag]

If you've worked in Thailand for 25 years you might have considered to apply for permanent residence during that time. Once obtained you may choose to work or not, and there are no more hoops, except to obtain a re-entry stamp in the Certificate of Residence book & your passport in case you leave Thailand at any time and wish to return. You might also compare your situation to other countries...what if a Thai family wanted to retire in the UK for example...do you think they could so easily?

[BritManToo]

14 minutes ago, Uptooyoo said:

How many expat-teachers are contributing to their nation's retirement system? Even if I had earned $5000/month as a teacher, I'm glad I did not move here at a young age. If I had, I wouldn't be looking forward to a monthly social-security check, a company pension, and a company sponsored 401K savings plan. When you're young, such matters seem distant and far into the future; so it's easy to push thoughts of retirement to the back of the mind, until one day, you wake up, look into the mirror, and see a 50 year old man wondering how the years slipped by so quickly. Cold sweat and heart palpitations kick-in when you realize it's too late now, that you're destined to a life of slogging through endless teaching sessions, while others your age are off to a daily round of golf and spa treatments...without the anxiety of needing to earn money. Their only worry?  Where to have dinner after the evening swim.  

Doesn't matter any more, in the Uk the young guys aren't getting company pensions, and little hope of government pensions. The entitlements you expected in the boomer years are all gone now.

Edited July 24, 2019 by BritManToo

[BritManToo]

4 minutes ago, jkcjag said:

...what if a Thai family wanted to retire in the UK for example...do you think they could so easily?

If they'd managed to work in the UK for 5 years, they'd already be Brit citizens.

Edited July 24, 2019 by BritManToo

[Seeall]

17 hours ago, RBOP said:

Yep. But I just leave the 800K alone collecting 1.625% interest then file for a tax refund to get back the 15% withholding tax. The girls at the Revenue department are actually very helpful and fill out the forms for me. 

May I ask what bank and account you are using to gain that rate?

I often think about it but as I have not seen a rate that high.... AND I am always wary the account type or some other silly detail will make it not accepted net RV extension ....  Yes I see the title "accessable funds" is all we need, however, depends if the clerk had a nice coffee or not...

Thanks all.

[spidermike007]

On 7/23/2019 at 2:17 PM, JimmyTheMook said:

Ain't nobody forcing you to stay.

 

 

 

Please. That is beyond a lame reply. Nearly every time I see someone complaining, or observing a shortfall about the policies here, or the culture, some guy who has not taken the time to think things through, nor to devote any time, study, thought, or focus on the issue at hand, says something like "Perhaps Thailand is not for you", or "maybe you should leave", or "it's not fair", or the top prize, "if you do not like it here, go back to your own country", or in this case, "nobody is forcing you to stay". What crap. What nonsense. What an illiterate reply. 

 

Why? Because I have some issues with the place, I am not entitled to complain, or voice my opinions? Half of the posts on this forum are complaints. What is wrong with that? Don't we need someplace to vent? Why the sensitivity? Why such thin skin? Though absolute contentment must be a beautiful thing to be blessed with, it is not something most of us enjoy. The fact that I complain does not mean I do not love Thailand, my lifestyle, and most of the Thai people. I have a good life here. But, I do have some issues with the place, as most do, and I do not like the government, and there are some things I would like to see improved. Do you not see any room for improvement? I should leave because I complain? 

[simon43]

Quote

 

that you're destined to a life of slogging through endless teaching sessions, while others your age are off to a daily round of golf and spa treatments...without the anxiety of needing to earn money. Their only worry?  Where to have dinner after the evening swim. 
 

 

 

The thought of golf and spa treatments has me falling asleep with boredom ????

 

Not everyone wants to retire at 50. I've just turned 60 and teach online everyday and earn a decent monthly salary.  I relish mentoring students and guiding them in their learning.  Over the past few months, the subjects that I teach has increased from English and Science to now include History, Maths, French and Thai language.  Between my paid teaching I teach as a volunteer in my local community and sponsor the purchase of school books for many (many!) young students in Myanmar.

 

Anxiety?  My only anxiety is wondering what subjects I'll be teaching when I hit 90 years old ????

 

Retirement?  Give me a break!  Retirement is so 1980's.....

Edited July 24, 2019 by simon43

[Baerboxer]

18 hours ago, wilailuk said:

How any farang from velfunctioning western countries choose to work in LOS as a teacher, or in other lowpaying jobs, is totally beyond me, I don´t understand it!

 

It should be the other way around: Work at good paying jobs offshore, at sea, fishing boat (Alaska crab fishing) etc. etc. - and when you have a s..tload of dough, THEN move here, much, much better..

 

To use your best working years like that, is just plain stupid, and I don´t accept any crying and whining, when people have chosen like that, som nam naa..

 

 

 

 

Some want the experience of working overseas; enjoy being in different cultures and like the lifestyle.

 

Others are here for the sex and party scene and some know the way they behave wouldn't be accepted in their home country.

 

The range of abilities here among foreign teachers, IME, is wide. So is their motivations for being here.

[MartinKal]

That is a good point that one of the contributors made. The Thai people make no difference between good and bad foreigners. A foreigner is a foreigner.

 

It seems that the large majority of people here are not used to or interested in diversity.

 

It is a homogenous and quite closed society. I'm not sure they have many friends from outside.

 

It's all a bit "frog under the coconut shell", if you know that story.

[Baerboxer]

31 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

If they'd managed to work in the UK for 5 years, they'd already be Brit citizens.

 

Why?

[connda]

Occam's Razor.

The entire system is bent.  TIT.  

[connda]

New motto:

Good guys playing by the rules out; 
Bad guys paying agents in.