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[Volodiya]

On balance, I consider Thailand to offer significant positive characteristics for those who like it there, and are considering retirement. Among these are ease of obtaining permission to live there, long-term (retirement visa, with multiple entry, renewable annually), easy access to good health care, low overall cost of living, congenial people, warm-hot year round climate (meaning less expense for clothing), mostly flat terrain in the cities (important in old age), and good food. Another bonus, for those who like to travel- easy access to international travel, and competitive prices on tickets to foreign destinations.

I'm thinking about Phuket and the purchase of a condo there, but I'm concerned about the chronic water shortages that seem to be in the news all the time. And, has anything been done on Phuket to make life more interesting, in the way of cultural activities? (I already know about the clubs, girls, etc. I'm asking if there are other things happening on Phuket that I might not be aware of.)

What thoughts do some of you have about these issues, and any others, pertaining to retiring to Thailand, in general; purchasing a condo, and life on Phuket Island, in particular? Any realtors, or others, that I should avoid?

[kenkannif]

[Volodiya]

Looks like the "simplest" thing to do would be to "park" 800,000 Baht in a time deposit to satisfy the cash deposit requirement for the retirement visa. This would be a way to "guarantee" your eligibility for renewal of the visa each year, as far as the cash deposit requirement goes. (I remember when they raised the requirement from 200,000 to 800,000 Baht, they "grandfathered in" those who had first obtained the visa under the lesser required amount, so that, even today, it's not necessary for them to post more than 200,000 Baht.)

[kenkannif]

You don't need to show any money to get the Visa (so you can get a multiple entry just by being over 50 years old), but rather to extend it each year (otherwise you can get 15 months of cover but have to run every 90 days).

I think you'll find the grandfathered thing didn't pan out at all. Imm said "if you recognise and know them, they can have it" I'm yet to read of many people that have managed to be grandfathered (and are you sure it was for retirement? I though that used to be 400K (and is now 800K as you say) and the marriage to a Thai extension on a Non-imm O was 200K but went up to 400K. But either way none of my lot that had theirs in before were grandfathered (although one dept of Immigration said they would be, the other part didn't...leading to confusion and erring on the side of caution (i.e. no grandfathering).

Also they like to see the 800K coming in from abroad and it shouldn't generally stay static!

[Volodiya]

Ken, you may very well be right about the figure having been 400,000: I was typing from memory, and didn't check the figures. As far as positioning yourself to be able to "ride" on the 800,000 from year to year- this should be a relatively simple matter of getting documentation from your bank showing you qualified with 800,000 the previous year. (Your expiring visa shows you met all the requirements the previous year; and, the amount required by Thai Law, as well as any provisions for "grandfathering in", are written into the law itself. It should just be a matter of getting your "ducks in a row" as far as documentation of your status the previous year goes.)

That certificate from the Embassy you referred to would be necessary for a person who is qualifying on the basis of his "retirement income"- as for example, from U.S. Social Security- of at least 65,000 Baht/month. It shouldn't be necessary if the person qualifies with a cash account.

[tedkarma]

The B800,000 is only mildly problematic in the sense that (as I understand it) the funds deposited in the bank in Thailand are allowed (or meant?) to be drawn down over the year.

So, while it is a nice chunk of change - you are allowed (maybe even expected) to live on it over the year's time. So not quite like you have to put it away somewhere and never have access to it.

It is my understanding also (as mentioned earlier) - that the cash requirement can be reduced in increments as you demonstrate documented income from overseas (as certified by your embassy).

Whether your embassy requires well-documented income or not - is a different issue. And, hopefully, something not too discussed in public if it is/was an easy out. Keep the loophole alive by not exposing it to too much scrutiny (so to speak - if you know what I mean . . .)

[Volodiya]

Hi, Tedkarma, glad you've joined the discussion. I know retirement is something you've focused some serious planning and attention to, from reading other of your posts.

It's certainly true that you can spend from the account: you just have to "top it up" each year before renewal. (I conceived of having two accounts, one which guaranteed the visa, the other from which I would spend from month to month. It all amounts to the same thing, in the end, provided the accounts are replenished with money transferred in from abroad.)

What comments have you got for us regarding the other questions I raised in my OP? When you have time, please.

[kenkannif]

Soz Ted Edited out!

[tedkarma]

Hello Ken,

No, Ted had to correct his bad spelling and grammar that he never notices until it is on the board!

Vol,

Regarding Phuket and your OP questions.

I'm not too worried about the water shortages (I grew up in Arizona) - might be a real issue at some point - but it will get solved - too many ways and reasons to get into at the moment.

Cultural activities: not much but sometimes things are brought in. Comedians from the UK, occasional charitable concerts etc - but it would be a mistake to consider Phuket more than just a regional village center - albeit with a great supply of restaurants and bars. I'd look at it like "make your own" - there are lots of clubs - charitable organizations and other ways to get involved in the community. Just living on the island is a "cultural activity" and BKK is, after all, only 75 minutes and about $100 round trip away. That said, just the last four years have brought great changes - and change seems to be accelerating. Who knows what we'll see in four more years?

Condo on the island - maybe - why not? - but live on the island full time or at least half time for at least a couple years before you do anything. Hear the good and bad stories first and get to know the various areas and get to have sense of how things are changing (and change is constant on the island). I won't pretend to know the island's realtors first hand or even by reputation. I will probably own some property on the island at some point. But right now isn't the time in my plan.

Forgive me if I talk too much about retirement - but when you get old - it is too late to solve the problem. If you don't have a good plan by 45 and aren't very well into it by 55 - you may have some very slim years just when you don't want them and aren't able to do anything about them. Once you break 60 or so - the die is cast and there is likely no escape from previous poor planning. I know people with no plan - and perhaps a bleak future as a result.

I'm just cautious and conservative about things financial. For a variety of personal reasons that have no place on this board I've burned a couple good financial situations before. DON'T intend to do it again. Don't have 20 years to rebuild.

[Volodiya]

T.K., thanks for taking the time to respond to my specific questions about Phuket, etc. As far as your "retirement" related posts, I've even gone so far as to print some of them and distribute them to people I cared about. Your plans, as you've outlined them in these forums, have a tremendous amount of practical application for those willing to work hard enough, and long enough, to make them a reality.

[Volodiya]

Thailand has the most liberal regime that I've seen for permitting people to settle and live, long-term, in retirement.

Satisfy them you can support yourself- with either the equivalent of 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank (proof required, each year, at renewal time for the O-A visa); or, offer proof of the equivalent of 65,000 Baht monthly retirement income- or, a combination of savings, and monthly retirement income, which equal 800,000 Baht- and you can live there, indefinitely- subject to the annual renewal of your visa.

So far, so good. But, now we come to a point at which I have no experience, and not enough information to satisfy. Perhaps someone can fill me in.

Assume the retiree obtains an O-A, year long, multiple-entry visa from the Thai Embassy in his country of residence, and meets all the requirements for renewal of the visa at the end of the first year. If he is physically present in Thailand at the time, is there provision for issuance of the visa renewal, in country, in Thailand- say, at the Immigration Office? or, must he leave the country to get the visa renewal?

(It appears to me that the renewal takes place at the Immigration Office off Sathorn Road, but the staff there doesn't seem to speak English well enough for me to feel confident I've got the right impression of it- which is, that the visa can be renewed there, without the necessity of leaving the country).

On a minor, unrelated point, they did explain to me that the retiree, with a one year multiple-entry O-A visa, would be required to report his residence address in Thailand, in person or by mail, every 90 days but was not required to leave the country every 90 days (as has been reported to sometimes be the case, for some Thai non-immigrant visa holders).

[No Moss]

Hi, everyone. I'm new to the Thailand forum. I'm currently teaching in China, and am planning to retire in Thailand. I'm over fifty.

My question is: do I have to get the Immigrant "O" visa in the US, or can I get it in, say, Hong Kong? I can meet the requirement of 800,000 baht in the bank comfortably, just don't want to go back to the USA to get a visa.

I'm thinking of living in Bangkok for at least a year or two. After that, I'll probably settle in some more comfortable place like Krabi or Chiang Mai.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Volodiya]

No Moss, Thai Law says you may apply in your country of residence, as well as the country of your citizenship. If you hold a Residence Permit for Foreigners, establishing your bona fide residence in China, you can apply at any Thai Embassy, or Consulate, in China.

[kenkannif]

You can only get the Non-imm O/A from CERTAIN Embassies/Consulates. Most people use a Non-imm O in place of it (and I get the impression it's easier to do so).

Vol,

Be careful as some nationalities (not Americans, Brits etc.) CAN'T apply in their country of residence and must fly home and in a lot of cases most apply in person at an Embassy not a Consulate.

[Volodiya]

Looks like I may have answered one of my own questions, myself, while I was looking for something related to the question of where you may apply. First, it appears you can extend the visa, in Thailand, without the necessity of returning to the country of residence.

From the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs website-