Expat Poll: Top Country Choices For Leaving Thailand

[laphanphon]

Guessing that's one too many 0's, as 350k MYR = 2.5 mill THB ....

I don't think I could live in a Muzzy dominant country. Surely I'd offend someone, get my head lopped off or end up in jail ..

[hin]

Malaysia - Spent 5 yrs rotating between Malaysia, Thailand, & Cambodia with short periods also exploring Singapore, Lao, China, & Burma. Then settled in Penang 5 years with MM2H visa which was a new thing then and was 5 years. Is now 10 years but they kept changing the rules and their decision to require 350,000 Ringgit frozen and depreciating in a Malay bank caused my decision to counteroffer with middle finger salute and sprung for here. At today’s Transferwise rate that is 2,573,297 baht, but much steeper wen the baht exch is closer to normal. There was talk about allowing some of it to be used for medical or purchase of a residence but I do not know what came of that. But why let any govt have exclusive use of that much of my life effort. I earned, invested, and saved it for me, not for the govt. I contribute to the economy efficiently if I spend and spread it around closer to the grass roots. That is one example tho of the mindset you will continually deal with.

Seriously looking at KL…..MM2H offer. 350000 ringitt in bank required

Might be OK if you are willing to shake loose with that much jingle jangle and can tolerate the Muslim mentality. But KL..?? Langkawi, Port Dixen & Penang are also favored by some expats who prefer clean air and soft ocean breezes. I chose Penang = 60% Buddhist at that time.

To be aware of - Your wife and dependents do not get MM2H visas, they simply ride on yours. Hopefully that has changed but I doubt it - its a Muslim country. What happens wen you die, and with the property the MM2H entitled you to own? If you have children, international day school is expensive. When I lived in Penang there were 2 and it was US$10,000 per student per year at the cheapest one. But friends in Lamut happily sent their children to public school.

Malaysia was probably one of the world’s easiest places to live with border entry pass which was 90 days for citizens of most western countries. Only 30 days for Asians tho if you have a Thai wife. Maybe try it that way first for 6 months pr more. Had a freind who did it for 15 years. Just cross the border and turn right around and go back, altho I always enjoyed spending some time in Hat Yai or Singapore and made a holiday of it. Never extend at the Imm Office, costs money, only gives 30 days and you sit in a chair or stand in a queue a long time. The border is easy. Do not confuse it with their version of “Visa on Entry” which is at airports, costs $100 and applies only to Chinese and Indians. Like any place in this part of the world rules, policies and laws have a habit of change and precarious lifespan. And you are not grandfathered in with what applied when you arrived. So look before you leap. My info is from a while b4 yesterday so trust Mr Google.. Govt site preferred.

[HHTel]

When I was in Langkawi last year, I met a Brit who had been there for 14 years without a visa. He just caught the ferry every 3 months, did a bit of shopping and returned getting another 3 months.

[lindosfan1]

We left Thailand because I was not happy with the corruption, filth on the streets, treatment of animals. We then moved to Rhodes Greece happy there for 3 years when I realised I was doing the same as the previous year and would be doing the same next year.
We moved back to England and my Thai wife is happy here, however I am getting itchy feet, will see how brexit pans out then work out where we go next.

[laphanphon]

require 350,000 Ringgit frozen and depreciating in a Malay bank caused my decision to counteroffer with middle finger salute and sprung for here. At today’s Transferwise rate that is 2,573,297 baht

Whoa.....so that wasn't a typo ...

Expats not having or crying about 400k or 800k, certainly won't be going there ....

[Lost]

Laos would always be my number 1 choice if not Thailand. Just love the place! If it wasn't for the low salaries offered for teachers (think 25 - 40k baht) I would have moved there b4 I decided to go back to my home country. Never say never though.

[Lost]

Guessing that's one too many 0's, as 350k MYR = 2.5 mill THB ....

I don't think I could live in a Muzzy dominant country. Surely I'd offend someone, get my head lopped off or end up in jail ..

You wouldn't like large parts of England then...

[laphanphon]

Yes, EU wouldn't be a consideration....back to the Americans, if ever. Though quite happy here.

[jcasey]

Malaysia ... Is now 10 years but they kept changing the rules and their decision to require 350,000 Ringgit frozen and depreciating in a Malay bank caused my decision to counteroffer with middle finger salute and sprung for here.

Yes, if one follows the Peninsular rules. But it is much less via the East (Borneo) way (SEARCH and find). ..150,000 MR deposit + can withdraw for certified purposes (house/car purchase etc.) with 60,000 min balance from the second year for people over 50. = quite comparable to the Thai requirements. For a REAL long-term visa with negligible administration. With possibility to buy land / whatever, see Immigration after 5 years only (once)... travel freely, no admin fees / hassles, and so on.
Naked Thai greed tried to copy their system (and can go further any time, right?) price-wise successfully, without giving anything in return. As for Muslims/religion that is largely an urban legend.. never was an issue in the Eastern states and Penang. The prices a bit higher but offset by the much cheaper rental rates. The food is a bit different but perhaps more varied (Chinese/Indian), bar/massage dwellers are disadvantaged (though Hat Yai is close), climate is similar but slightly more rain.. with highlands for those prefer colder places. Medical care is fine.

[buksida]

Interesting responses. Looks like Vietnam is the top choice for Asia then and 'going home' the top overall with almost a third of the votes.

I have been considering Penang but the high cost of rentals and schools have put me off - ideally somewhere on a par with or cheaper than Thailand would suit. At the moment the UK is actually cheaper to live in than Thailand, but I can't handle the prolonged winters!

Laos was great to travel in but the infrastructure is lacking and it too is becoming a slave to the Chinese. Nobody has mentioned Burma which I loved when I went there in 2014 ... but sadly it is also military controlled with a lot of xenophobia coming from the junta.

[laphanphon]

With possibility to buy land / whatever, see Immigration after 5 years only (once)... travel freely, no admin fees / hassles, and so on. ........... Medical care is fine.

That's the 2 big ones, that keep me in Thailand. The wife, and owning our house, well, next one. Basically means living here rent free. Along with, surely I mentioned somewhere, no RE Tax.

Accessible / inexpensive healthcare, though not needed, but, I'm not getting any younger.

Those 2 positives, are the biggest 2 negatives in my home country (USA), along with any other options, everywhere else.

Rent free & no RE Taxes, really puts quite a bit of extra monthly buying power in the wallet. I could literally live here, on just what those 2 monthly bills would be in the USA.....with spare change.....

So a little paperwork, if I had to do, isn't a problem.

[buksida]

What’s it really like living as an Expat in Vietnam? (Interview)

It has become a much more challenging environment to live in Thailand as an Expat and as such many retirees have looked to new pastures with Vietnam seemingly the most popular choice.

But with all this talk of migration of expats from Thailand to Vietnam, the question has to be asked: Is the grass always greener? So I was keen to investigate and have been lucky enough to have interviewed an American Expat who has now lived in Vietnam (Sai Gon) for just over one year.

https://danaboutthailand.com/2019/09/01 ... interview/


Interesting read. I notice a lot of the negatives such as state monitoring and censorship, pollution and trash everywhere, cant own property, and deadly roads also applies to Thailand. The upsides are appealing - hassle free visas for working/long stay and very low cost of living comparatively.

[Nereus]

The following is not part of the poll, and it appears to be more related to working "expats". But it does report a few interesting facts:

The 10 best places in the world to live as an expat


https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/best- ... 03590.html

[laphanphon]

Of those 10; Mexico and Ecuador crossed my mind before coming here, and then Czechia when thinking about leaving a couple times.