Retirement visa

[aktiv-passiv]

Isn't it great that your are kind of welcome as a retiree in a country like LOS?

Consider how our own countries (I am talking of EU, especially Germany) treat us like semi-criminals when we want to invite a friend from LOS for a holiday and therefore ask for a visitors visa. No matter if you have money enough and are able to "insure" the state against all odds raising from these so called 3rd world people. Nothing else, and therefore a even greater shame, if you want to marry this person.

For me it is a quantum of solace to know I can go and stay for good in a country like LOS - whenever I want. From now on. Although I have no bad life here this actually keeps me motivated in my job (some more money never ain't bad) and immune against some sickening symptoms in politics, economy and society.

So LOS even makes my day if I am not there.

[SamplerDoc]

Video850 et al, there is a great thread on Banking in Thailand from before in Our Forum

[vangough05]

(BAM @ May 16 2005,14:05) Visa just sent me a card with a $20,000 limit. Maybe I could just show them that?      

Don't laugh, thats what I showed and was passed.

I use a business visa now and find that suits me a lot more, less fucking around.
Apply in your home country seems to be a lot easier.

[mardhi]

(partington1 @ Feb. 18 2008,02:05) Just to add a little contribution to this, as it's something I've also looked into recently. It is a classic catch 22 now-to get a retirement extension within Thailand you need B800000 in the bank for more than three months (or proof of more than B65000 per month -not the issue being discussed here) but banks tell you you can't open an account unless you are already a long term resident, and many of them not unless you have a work permit. (Of course you can't have a work permit if you're retiring  because you're not allowed to work).

The problem with the experts who airily tell you how easy it is to get a bank account is that they all got them easily more than two years ago. But now things have changed and this is what these guys don't quite get. For example  until approx two years ago, one of the law firms (either Siam Legal or Sunbelt, don't quite remember) would for a small fee "introduce" you to a bank, i.e. vouch for you, allowing you to open an account. I was, when my time came, going to use this method. But they don't do it any more because the banks won't accept it, because as they say "things have changed now".

So the people who say you now have to traipse from bank to bank, never sure whether its ever going to work for you, are correct. Only trust the advice of someone who's opened an account within the last six months, and you'll be better off. Always ask when even before you ask where.

I've been ruminating on this a long time , because I (like so many others I guess) get through my working day by imagining myself ensconced in LOS on a long term retirement visa in a year or two. But I am also anticipating being thwarted by running out of time desperately trying to open an account, failing and having to just go home...

Good luck to all trying to go this route, hope you succeed. Post encouragement to the rest of us!

cheers

Thats not my experience - I took a guy from this forum into my branch about 4 months ago and he opened an account with zero questions asked. Probably helped that it was the branch where I have multiple business accounts (including very hard to get checking accounts) - but it certainly can be done. Now getting a personal checking account was tough when I did it 9 years ago - but savings accounts are still quite easy.

Cheers
mardhi

[PigDogg]

Is a personal checking account helpful (I'm not going to be owning a business)? Do you mail checks for things like cable or internet instead of charging your credit card?

And perhaps a stupid question, can you write checks in English?

[stogie bear]

If you have a checking account ALL your bills can be done by direct debit. But you can still make them payable by check if you prefer, although most people pay them in cash at a pay-point which most 7/11s have.

Every utility has a Paypoint payment option... unless you are a day late then you have to pay them at the utility office.

Actually TRUE don't have a Paypoint option (or they didn't used to) but there are always offices or payment kiosks nearby.

Some utilities can be paid via ATM cards.

You don't need a checking account, which is just as well because unless you are on a business visa you probably won't get one.

[mardhi]

agreed personal checking account here is total waste of time - i think I have issued 20 cheques in 9 years. I do everything on Internet banking and ATM's these days.

Nobody here likes cheques.

Cheers
Mardhi

[Guest]

The 800,000Baht is linked directly to the ILBRF. (Isaan LadyBoy Retirement Fund). You can then use this money toward unlimited sex and fun while in LOS!!!

[JustSumGai]

a wealth of information on Retirement visa, etc. (AND a motherload of confusion can be found on thaivisa.com

[stogie bear]

Well, you got the 'motherload of confusion' part right!

[Dieter]

Am I be right with a Retirement visa you never get a work permit?
You want to do some biz..forget it...

Dieter