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Hi Priscilla
There is are retirement visas for Thailand:
you need 800k THB on a Thai bank when you retire here. This 800k can also be the pension you get in one year (you need a statement from your embassy) or a mix of pension and cash on the bank.
you have to renew that every year.
there was some 10 year visa they talked about, but not sure it is really effective now. anyway the requirements in money, insurance etc for that are horrendous.
you still have to report every 90 days (sic!) at immigration which is a total stupidity, once a year should be enough. they had an internet option but they shut it down. though you might send a messenger to do it for you. as in bangkok this can take you half a day to do.
information you can find on the immigration website

Advantages
Low cost of living
Low taxes...no property taxes...no income taxe for foreigners
Freedom
Thai women availability
Weather...no freezing
Flowered trees
Abundant fruits and vegetables


Disadvantages
Weather...can be too hot and humid...hot season too hot!
Smelly sewers
Smelly cooking
Dirty streets
Police traffic scams
Thai 'up to you' attitude
Lack of traffic control...not enough street traffic lights...unsafe
Insects...too many
Dual pricing for foreigners

+'s
Cheap living
Cheap building materials
Cheap labour
Great choice of food
Helpful people
Cheap  fuel
Great fun
Good clean malls
Weather.
Cheap healthcare( local Thai hospital and clinic)
Great transport



- 's
Sometimes very hot or heavy rain
Insects, snakes, scorpions, mozzis
Visa laws
Visa requirements  (money to much)
Up to you  thing
Red hot chillies
Dirty beaches
Tv channels  (more English)
Rip off taxis

Living in Thailand can have many advantages. the cost of living. cheap transport. cheap housing ect. getting married is not hard and getting divorced is even easier so as a pensioner you can get a marriage visa using the pension without having to have money in the  bank. many relationships fail here because unfortunately the ladies one goal is to acquire as much from you as possible. friends of mine have bars and I know many lovely bar girls but once they learn about farang men and what makes them happy they become very skilled at the art of getting what they want. I met a 38 year old and so far no lies in 4 years. Thais think lying is ok and are very good at it.i met my Lady in Patong.she had done a massage coarse in the monastery in Bangkok. and went there to make money for her family. She was like a fish out of the water. just what I was looking for.she didn't drink and was uncomfortable in a bar.i dated her for a year before moving here permanently in northern Thailand. She knows that I don't have big money but very few Thais get 40.000 bht a month.im 69 and very fit for my age and  for me no fighting and well treated.i think ending up in a retirement village in Aussie would kill me.she sees her job as someone to look after me as I get old and this is why so many retire here. I think building her a small coffee shop which she runs on her own gives her the best way of helping her family. 
This might help it's just my way of staying here and so far so good finding the right partner is not easy many have found thier Lady owes large amounts of money to the money lenders and many more have 2 children and sometimes 4 of 5 boyfriends all sending money.let the buyer beware they are all supporting someone and if their body is the only way to get money then that's ok.im as old as my wife's father but have been excepted into the family with  open arms. I love the simple life and am not planning on  leaving but it not  for everyone. many friends have gone home after a few years all with a story to tell

Instead of repeating what has already be said let me bring up some food for thought. What do you do with your spare time? When one first arrives in Thailand, like in so many situations, there is a honeymoon period. Once that is over then the question arises as to what to do with your time and how to be engaged with living in Thailand, Again, just like anywhere else you would move to. As has been noted, there are those that get scooped up into the bar scene. It's very easy to do. But is that a constructive way to engage yourself.

To borrow a Thai saying - up to you.

I have a T.E.F.L certificate so hope to teach English online. I also have a new house to play with, other interests include fishing, camping, letting our hair down in pattaya on the beach when we can, we drive to the big market on the Cambodian border,I  also build model ships and have a small herb and veg patch to care for. I love motorcycles and read the tarot cards for myself and others, so I try to keep busy .You need to occupy your time but I am not a bar person though I still enjoy a beer or two.

Stuart

Put it this way; I'm leaving.  Sick of scams, no rule-of-law, death on the roads and general deterioration of manners and corresponding increase in violent crime and louts.

I think you have enough info above.  What I would add is it's up to you to create the life you want.  Lots of the above negatives is from people that have failed themselves because what they say can be found anywhere, as can the opposite.  I love Thailand but don't stay there all the time.  Travel is sooooo cheap there that I go to several countries every year.  G'luck.

Yep love  it or hate it thats thailand you  have to learn to live with.Pattaya is a  very exciting place to live i love it.Thailand is not for everyone.Why not try cambodia or malaysia,if its chilled out your after try one of the many camping on  beach resorts rent a tent great and cheap.Sorry to hear you are leaving.

stuart

Unlike most, I lived in Thailand and then retired within Thailand by moving from Bangkok to Chiang Rai.  Retired probably isn’t the right word, I just stopped saying yes when people offered work.  No golden handshake, pension, social security or anything else that one normally associates with retirement.  I am just old and don’t work so I get labeled a retiree.

Maybe some people don’t know what they are getting themselves into but, hey, if you go stand in the rain, who’s fault is it that you get wet.  It is all down to the choices you make and the friends you keep.  Just yesterday we spent time with some old friends who come back every year to visit family here.  They brought with them a couple of friends who were first timers in Thailand.

These two women are doing some independent travel but they also arranged to hookup with their friends from Portland and through them they met us.  We took them to our favorite restaurant where they were given the celebrity treatment, great food, great service and a beautiful location on the river. 

The point is, the stories they will tell their friends and the memories they take home will be very different from those who took a more traveled path staying in seedy hotels and relying on people who make their living off gullible foreigners in the more notorious destinations in Thailand.  I get tired of people who proclaim all Thais are all alike.  Thailand is a class structured society and not everyone behaves in the same manner.

If you retire here because it is cheap and for the availability of women who will sleep with you, then you are missing so much of what Thailand has to offer.  Sure, it might be better than the alternative back home, but please don’t make broad unsubstantiated proclamation about Thailand when you have only experienced a very small portion of it.  Yes, part of Thailand is exactly what you might say it is, but other parts are very different.

Sorry for going a bit off subject.

Healthcare;

My knowledge with it is within Chiang Mai, plus some reading.

I have read articles about Thailand being a place for medical tourism. Looking at the western style of facilities in Chiang Mai there would be some credence to that point. I have heard several people compliment the medical care in Chiang Mai. I too have had the pleasure of participating in the medical service. I had some dental work done here. In the states the cost was prohibitive. In Chiang Mai it was 10% of those of the US. Getting service in a hospital by a specialist is not a problem, as long as you have at least 1 k or 2 k baht in your pocket or a major credit card.

Oh yes, for US citizens - Medicare is not available. I did read where the US was looking at international service, but that debate may take 30 years to clarify.

Recently I attended a work shop. This particular workshop was 4 hours long. The topic was end of life issues. It was relative to volunteering to help patients who had a medical condition in which they could not take care of various personal matter, by being bed ridden. There was a point in which medical treatment was discussed. To characterize a situation US medical practitioners can be considered perfectionists when it comes to medical treatment. Along those lines US medical treatment includes alleviating pain. There is a Thai way, perhaps not practiced by all, in with Buddhism is an aspect of medical treatment. Unless the Farang has a primary medical physician who makes it know to the care giving physician that pain medication is to be prescribed, then the care giving physician may not provide any pain killers. My understanding is that if a patient is on an inhalator the patients arms are tied to the bed until the patient is awake. My understanding is that in the US a patient would be sedated and not tied down. The only point here is that there are some Thai practices that are not consistent with practices in the US. I have heard repeatedly, when it comes to an operation in which critical accuracy is expected Thailand does not yet have the resources to provide finite accuracy.

In terms of general medical practices Thailand seems to be fine. In terms of some particular medical conditions or service there may be some questions that arise.

Just a thought!

Positives and Negatives have been adequately described above.  I will only add that Thai Society remains noticeably unsophisticated (by Western Standards.)  It is still a very defensive, secretive, xenophobic society as evidenced by the lack of sociability with strangers.  (At first I thought it was just me but on the songtaews, busses and vans, they don't really socialize with one-another either.)

Also, very, VERY few Thais realize that ALL Countries/Governments proclaim the "specialness" of being that Nationality.  (It's their way of propagandizing the masses into keeping themselves in power.)  A quite large percentage of Thai people, although basically good-hearted, believe their government's propaganda wholeheartedly- (and follow the "dual-pricing model" for example.)  Otherwise, I enjoy being retired in Thailand and although I rarely drink, I am able to enjoy my solitude and have quiet, peaceful days.

Meeting new people is a much more complex process for Thais than for most westerners.  They much prefer to be properly introduced so that they don’t inadvertently cause offense.  Name, age, education, job and anything else related to ones social position is important in determining how people address each other, which is something very important to them.  Some may see them as unsophisticated or unsociable but I see that view as showing a lack of understanding about what is really going on under the surface.  Unsolicited contact from strangers can be seen by some as rude and unsophisticated.

Lots of negatives posts here.  Obviously it depends on your situation and expectations.  I've been here 2.5 years, rent a nice house near Chiangmai but far out enough so I am 5 minutes from a rural setting.  I live with Thai woman for all this time and we get along quite well.  I cover her expenses and give her 12000 bt a month to support her son in school and maintain her house in a village.  I have never been scammed here and have had no problems with Thai police or immigration.   I made it clear at the beginning of our relationship that I wouldn't be supporting anyone else and have never been pressured to do so.  The 90 day thing and letter of residency is annoying but kept in perspective it is a very minor hassle.
I enjoy the rain, bugs aren't bad compared to what I experienced in the US.  Own a car and motorbike, have insurance, Thai bank accounts, drivers license, and all banking is automatic from the states.  We enjoy travelling having  just returned from Bangkok and South Thailand Islands.  Now planning a trip to Tibet and Yunan.  Would be impossible to see the variety of culture and scenery back in the states nor could I afford it.  Everyday is like a Sunday morning and I don't miss the rat race at all.

I think most things have been said already.  But I can say that whatever you do in Thailand, do not disregard the overstay rules.  I can tell you from bitter experience that an oversight on dates especially on longer length visas is easily done.
The penalties are severe for this type of infringement.
Pay particular importance to these new laws.

My wife owns a home and a small rice farm on the skirts of a small town. One morning two years ago, a stranger on drugs showed up with a beat up old grass cutter that he wanted to sell to my wife for 3000 baht. They are 3000 baht new at the merchandise store in a larger town near by. He asked my wife for 70 bath for gas for the machine so he could start it for her. He came back and broke one handle trying to start it. I know about small engines and could tell this one had been run without adding oil to the gasoline for a two stroke engine. He eventually came down to 1000 bath for medical expenses for his mother in the hospital. I had to convince my sweet  wife ,(who is so innocent, God bless her soul), not to buy it. I said we could go see his mother in  the hospital and he said she was in another town. He did not get any more money. Needless to say a few days later one of the tire valve stems on our truck had broken causing a flat tire. A few days later another tire valve stem had broken causing another flat. Growing up on a farm, I have changed truck tires on rims before, so know that these tires and valve stems were in good shape. No way could they break by them selves while the truck was parked in our drive way.
Just a short story to say that all the negative things you hear about in Thailand are going on all around the world. If you have a positive attitude you will love Thailand.

And yes you can get in trouble if you ignore the visa rules. It is their country and their rules.

I retired there about 10 years ago. Everything technical has been covered above. Luckily I did not sell my home in America.
I left a few months ago and never plan to go back.

Filthy disgusting in many places.
People are just OK.
Politic's are unreal.
Flight times are too long and jet lag is grueling.
A lot of nice lady's there, but you have to watch you wallet like a hawk.
You cannot buy (own land) that means no security what so ever. Amazing how many guys build on there wife's name. A crap shoot at best.

In conclusion: A very poor place to retire, with no rights what so ever.

That said I am heading to Colombia next week for a few months.

If I don't like it there I am heading the the Mexican Riviera. I have been there a few time's, It is very safe and beautiful.

My two cents as a traveling expat.

In 2010, my wife and I took early social security payments from the United States and since she was born here and here son works here moved here. Several things are different. First, in the United States a family's income for tax purposes has husband and wife together, for retirement visa had to figure on my income alone(cut almost $900 off the monthly income and needed more money in the bank for a retirement visa; second the roads here are narrower here than in U.S. making it hard for me to drive so my wife does, Although the healthcare is excellent, there is NO system of appointments, I often have to get to the hospital at 7am for a 10am appointment and hope that I make it out of the hospital before the sun goes down. My wife being a naturalized US citizen since she was born here gets the benefits of a Thai citizen: cheap healthcare, own land, able to vote, etc. WE built our own house in Samutsongkram and by the wife shopping in local markets save money on food. Living here where few people speak English, must use my wife to translate as I have been unable to learn to speak Thai beyond the basics. My wife and I are both retired here and will remain here until death takes us!

Hello To All,

There are many reason why to retire in Thailand , Here are some reasons and suggestions.

1. Housing is cheap keep away from the tourist area's such as  Phuket , Bangkok , Pattaya and you will find good housing cheap outside those locations.
Travel to those  locations and visit them is more cost effective.

2. Medical cost are cheap military campus style hospitals are the hidden jewel , There cheap with fresh young minds and you'll still get the Government fee rate.

3. Prescription Drug cost are cheap and effective, Seek out Prescription Green Cross Signs , If need be get your advice from Pharmacist in places such as Tesco Loutus there Doctor or Senior Pharmacist is knowledgeable and will also help you seek reputable local pharmacies if they do not stock your quantities or specific medications.

3. Food Cost are cheap and going to roadside markets are the best typically they will have specific days when they have larger and greater quantities of fresh fruits , vegetables and meats.
Supermarket wise I find Tesco Loutus to be the best if you need something more than roadside markets.

4.Weather is great if you like sun , heat and yes humidity There's always air condition cars , homes , and shopping malls

5. Lastly there are many places to live depending on your lifestyle, Overall my personal opinion is Korat or Nakhon Ratchasima it's not riddled with Night clubs yet has things to do and there shopping malls are Awesome everything is close and accessible.
Of course it's a personal opinion

Cheers Best Regards
Bob T.  Thailand Resident U.S. Citizen

You must be using the public hospitals intended for Thai nationals.  I use the private hospitals that are quite cheap, relatively luxurious compared with US, and can go in without an appointment and see a doctor within minutes.

Fort Suranaree General Hospital (Korat (Nakhon Ratchasim.

University / Military Hospital ,  Better than a public Hospital and cheaper than               Bangkok Hospital or Saint Mary's in my area

If one moves to Thailand with the romantic notion of emulating the lifestyle of an impoverished Thai peasant then you must put aside your expectations of five-star western quality, service and fluent English.  You can choose to visit toxic dump sites or beautiful gardens and your opinion of Thailand with vary accordingly.  Some people surround themselves with ugly and then complain things are ugly.  Many of the complaints I read about Thailand paint a pretty unflattering image of the people who are doing the complaining.

Hello,

Not sure what is being said  here Lol Please clarify.

Best Regards

Hello.
I am kinda lost a bit to.Today I am just relaxing near you with my wife in khon buri near nakon ratchasima  watching them put my house together, very interesting to watch the process.

Stuart

People look for the cheapest and then complain it is not the best quality.  People choose to live among uneducated and superstitious people and then complain they are not worldly or have strange beliefs.  People don’t learn the language of the country they are living in but complain that the locals don’t speak English.  People don’t learn or understand local customs and mores but complain that locals don’t follow the customs of the motherland… a place they have never been to.  People choose desperate impoverished women and then complain when they need money.

Life is not that difficult here.  You can find pretty much anything you want but you have to pay for it like anywhere else in the world.  It is not the locals fault if you come here and don’t understand what is going on.

This is not directed at any individual but at the complainers in general.

Is there ANY objective observation that you will not get on your 'Thai-Apologist Soap Box' for?

I agree with you.

Stuart

I  don't agree with you.

Stuart

Thailand is not perfect far from it but for me it is better than the u.k. I would just say for those who find fault with the country. Don't like it don't live here.

Stuart

I am just not a fan of uninvited guests coming into someone’s home and giving them shit about how they live.  It is up to us to adapt to life in Thailand not for the Thais to adapt to us.

fully agree with you on that post.

stuart

Do you have evidence that I have ever "given anyone shit?"     There are 'objective observations' able to be made about EVERY country and EVERY society.  In my view, Thailand remains leaning toward the defensive and denial responses.

I don't believe anyone is objective when it comes to judging or making observations of others.

My observations and opinions on Thailand are subjective and based on more than 40 years of living here.

Time for a nap or a beer.

Maybe for you, I haven’t had lunch yet and I don’t drink.  It is a little early in the day for booze and sleep.

Time for lunch and a cold chang.

stuart

Hello,

General response , Very well said !! Cheers !!

The World has complainers everywhere  ,               I personally enjoy the culture , Thai Prople , Food , Buddhist Religion not just because my Wife is Thai.
I enjoy the simple life which is what Thailand is Thailand is a very humbling Country to me and unlike anywhere Thailand has taught me even more gratitude to a people who are happy with simple life.
Personally you can keep 5 Star Hotels , Fancy Cars , Exhuburant Wealth , I'll take simple and humbling ways of Thailand the culture and people I love

Best Regards

Just finished lunch. So i watch how they build my house despite the heavy rain today. I have built a new small house on our land for 350000bht very cheap and 2 rooms, bathroom and kitchen also everything new inside  t.v,f/f,a/c,sofa and table all fittings, floor tiles and electrics ect ect. Amazing what you can achieve with some help from the family. I couldn't build a single garage for that in the u.k. I love Thailand.

Stuart

Villagefarang, I agree with you but I had to laugh at some of the things you said about Thailand. Here in Canada the immigrants change our laws if they do not suit them. Ie. RCMP now can wear turbans, National anthem and gods prayer are now remove from our schools so no one is upset, the Muslims can cover their faces when voting,
and a few other things as well. LOL. Only in Canada eh...