Snubbed middle-income retirees look beyond Thailand to SE Asia

[Lost]

IMO, it is unrealistic to set up requirements for a retirement visa in a country where the local estimated average income is 21,000 US dollars and even that amount, I think is a bit exaggerated from what I can see around me – https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/ ... er-capita/
However, what is realistic here
hahuahin

A little unrelated, but I rented from a Thai couple in Putney for a bit. They own five properties around London. I asked if they think it's fair that they could easily buy (money willing) so many properties in the UK, but it's not reciprocal for me in Thailand. "If foreigners could buy properties so easily in Thailand, they would flood the country" (edit: I'm rewording what they said exactly...it was a while back, Thai's don't speak like this )

This train of thought, I assume, extends to everything foreigners do in Thailand. Make it (slightly) difficult. And I don't blame them to be fair. Other countries aren't as stupid as the west.

[Lost]

Imagine every Tom, Dick and Harry rocking up to Thailand on their £25O a week pension (edit: I mean if they've no savings or anything and no strict requirements for a retirement visa).

[Hahuahin]

I think you are exaggerating Thailand's popularity among Tom, Dick and Harry a bit now. I myself have family in Europe and the US, some wealthy, others middle class, well-educated and well-travelled and after almost three decades here for me they still don't understand what is so "superb" about living here and especially why I don't move home now at this age where one has to expect more health related problems and how opposite to here there are three numbers on a phone and the ambulance is there in 10 minutes. What I mean by unrealistic with an eventual increase of the requirements for retirement visas is of course that in general it is impudent, greedy and bordering on foolish to expect retirees to enrich Thailand if the income requirements for visas are set higher than the average income in the country, actually including Bangkok.
hahuahin

[Martinoo]

My experience is that (monetary) increases in visa requirements are usually only valid for new applications, not existing extensions (grandfathering)
The only thing I see as an issue here in Thailand for expat retirees is the non existing health care provision...
All other stuff is just a matter of personal taste and preference, living here is different from coming here on a holiday... you cannot expect them to understand from their preferred bubble

I never went here on a holiday, although I am of part Asian decent and I knew of the existence of Thailand. I came here through work and funny enough loved it from day one more or less. My son recently followed me, I arranged a trainee job for the finalization of his study at a multinational company here, network is a benefit. and they were impressed with him and they offered him a permanent job. He went home to pick up his certificate...arranged his stuff there, kissed his mother goodbye and did not yet return.. 2-3 years now. Must be in his blood as well as his mother is from Asian decent just like me. She has been here every year on a holiday...
Son never looked back, telling me on many occasions he loves it here just as I did from day 1...

[buksida]

Imagine every Tom, Dick and Harry rocking up to Thailand on their £25O a week pension (edit: I mean if they've no savings or anything and no strict requirements for a retirement visa).

Its pretty much what they're letting the Chinese do here on a massive scale with this 2 month visa-free entry and no background checks ... which has resulted in overstaying, dodgy businesses, scams, and cybercrime surging tenfold.

What I mean by unrealistic with an eventual increase of the requirements for retirement visas is of course that in general it is impudent, greedy and bordering on foolish to expect retirees to enrich Thailand if the income requirements for visas are set higher than the average income in the country, actually including Bangkok.
hahuahin

Agree. This country essentially views every white person as a cash cow, and that attitude will never change. While they can make money out of us, they will tolerate us, nothing more, hence the article highlighting Thailand's obsession with millionaires.

[pharvey]

Agree. This country essentially views every white person as a cash cow, and that attitude will never change. While they can make money out of us, they will tolerate us, nothing more, hence the article highlighting Thailand's obsession with millionaires.

It's not just Thailand, but the so-called "Land of Smiles" was my preferred choice years ago. Thankfully, I never burnt bridges with the UK - kept a property and always paid my NI. I'm also lucky in respect to travel (so understand/know numerous countries) and a very understanding wife. As such, we're both here in the UK - there are many cons, but also huge pro's, despite a hatred of the NHS (who have treated me incredibly well) by certain members on the Forum and my own hatred of the UK Government.

What I'm trying to say whilst avoiding slipping off my Soapbox, is that life for me and the LHG is far better here than it was in China and will be quite frankly vs anywhere else (including Thailand). With all due considerations (Finance - movement of funds, Pension(s), Visas, Taxes, Racism etc.). My medical condition(s) would have crippled me financially in Thailand, yet I'm looked after here as is the LHG. The Labour Government may well yet try to cripple us here in the UK, but happy to take the risk, the weather and the odd holiday to sunnier climbs!!

[STEVE G]

I think there's another issue with retiring to Thailand, or any other country for that matter and that is increasing retirement ages.
I've been visiting Hua Hin several times a year for over twenty years and I'm still meeting people who've been retired there for that long because they finished working in their fifties and sometimes even late forties but those days are largely over.
I'll be retiring at around 65 or so and have a place in Thailand so all the work is done but I'm not sure I'd want to start establishing myself at that age, or even older, Denmark is going to 70!

[buksida]

There's also the surging cost of living to consider. Thailand cannot be considered a "cheap" country anymore, and prices have pretty much tripled in the time I've been here - amplified by weakening western currencies. So you'll need to factor that in and allocate enough money for things to continue getting more expensive here and being charged more for being a farang as dual pricing continues to expand. To retire in your fifties and maintain a reasonable standard of living, you'd need at least $2,500 a month to live for an individual, much more if you have dependents (unless you want to live on mama noodles and stay in every day).

All of the countries mentioned in the article are cheaper to live in than Thailand, and that is a pretty big factor when you stop working/earning.

[caller]

I'm still waiting for the Thai Baht to collapse!

[Green Nomad]

Although not retired yet, I too, over the last few years, have been considering a different location to settle. I have a Thai wife and I have even researched the Malaysian system whereby if you agree to purchase a property of a certain value you can get a settlement visa. But, what if these neighbouring countries to Thailand cotton on to what Thailand are implementing for expats and you could be in a similar scenario? Better the devil you know so to speak.