Same ol' Question

3POSTS

13 years ago

Of course I've been on several forums in the past and have seen this question posted ad nauseum. Sorry for bringing it up for what I am sure is the zillionth time on this forum, but here goes.
(flames expected and probably deserved)

I'm 54, loathe my job, single, and want to retire tomorrow in Thailand. I'll take in about 100k bt a month forever from a pension. I'd have a little start up money when i got there, (about 750k bt), and that's it. Nothing else. I have been to Thailand alot, 15 times in all, but never to Chiang Mai. I think I'd be attracted to what I understand is a slower pace than say Pattaya or Bangkok. Also, the cooler winters(or whatever) are a draw for me.

I do like to party a bit but I'm not a madman. I used to budget 7500k bt a day when visiting, but that was non stop, well, you know. Obviously that pace wouldn't even be in play. I used to feel I had to do everything at once before returning to what I called "the real world".

Is it reasonable to consider retiring at this stage? Does anyone else in a similar situation live there on a similar income? Is moving there not knowing anyone insane? Is there a pretty good sized ex pat community? My Thai is barely passable, so fellow English speakers are always a plus. Besides, I figured I could take a Thai class the first year both to learn Thai and to acclimate myself to slowwwwing down.

I have done a bit of research on the internet. Found what appear to be decent condos in the 10-15k range. And some even cheaper. That would leave approximately 2800k bt a day. Seems ok, but I gotta be missing something. Just too easy. Or is it?????

Anyway, thanks for reading my rambling. Appreciate any words of wisdom!

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FrisoPee Member

23POSTS

13 years ago

The visa is a go, so that's really a big bonus.
Condo's are up in every size, high price and low. Depends on how you want to live. The daily amount of money is more then enough. What are you planning to do? Living here is not the same as a holiday as you know. So you are not out everyday sitting on an elephant or traveling to a hilltribe village. If you just take an easy day, have some breakfast, read the papers, drive around on your bike a bit.. Eat at some places, have a beer. That money is enough. Remember: you are on your own. Expat community in Chiang Mai is very big. Just go down into the old city and you'll find some spots with more farang then Thai. Also tourists, but a lot of people who are living here.

Good luck!

Straydog Serial expat

611POSTS

13 years ago

OP you should have no problem living on the amount you quoted provided you do not try and live the holiday lifestyle you had during visits.

Think about the following:

1. The 100k you have today may not be 100k tomorrow because of exchange rate fluctuations.聽 When I arrived 10 years ago it was 44 baht to the dollar and now its 30.

2. You will need some type of medical insurance which will cost unless your current employer continues coverage after retirement.

3. Always have an escape plan should you find it necessary to return home regardless of reasons.

wannaretire Member

3POSTS

13 years ago

Thanks for the helpful replies. As I mentioned in a later post I do intend on movin' on over. And the sooner the better. Another question if I may. I have heard two different strategies for obtaining the "O" retirement visa. Some say better to get it when there, others say get it here in the States first. Not sure if it really matters. I do meet the income and age requirements and don't have a criminal background.

Anyway thanks for again reading my posts. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Straydog Serial expat

611POSTS

13 years ago

OP either method is okay.

With the US obtained Non-Immigrant O-a visa you get a one year permission to stay stamp when you enter Thailand and it only requires a couple extra documents. You will then have entire year to learn whats needed for your first extension.

The other method will require you to get started on extension shortly after entry into Thailand.聽 It depends on which visa you enter Thailand but usually 30-60 days.

bonzersmom Active member

29POSTS

13 years ago

wannaretire wrote:
Thanks for the helpful replies. As I mentioned in a later post I do intend on movin' on over. And the sooner the better. Another question if I may. I have heard two different strategies for obtaining the "O" retirement visa. Some say better to get it when there, others say get it here in the States first. Not sure if it really matters. I do meet the income and age requirements and don't have a criminal background.

Anyway thanks for again reading my posts. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Definitely get the O-A visa in the US.聽 Basically ask yourself this question.聽 If they need a document that I forgot to bring, didn't know I needed how would I get it?聽 If the answer is "I'd have to fly back to the USA" then you have just answered the first question.聽

Also applying for an O-A visa while in Thailand you are under a time constraint.聽 You have to apply for an extension which gives you a limited time in Thailand.聽 ANY correspondance between Thailand and the US will take 2 weeks (that's express mail both ways and the people in the US mail back what you need IMMEDIATELY) to months or years.聽

There are lots of people who do the visa run thing but it is getting more and more strict and you get less and less time.聽 And they ARE cracking down on overstays.聽 While we were doing our 90 day check in on Wednesday we saw an american woman get hauled away. She had scheduled her flight back to US for 6 days after her visa expired.聽 She figured "its only 6 days".聽 It's 5000 bhat PER DAY for every overstayed day. She didn't have the money.聽 Somehow they caught her on the overstay.聽 Possibly as she was flying out of the country.聽

Thai jails are not nice places.聽 I keep remembering Midnight Express.聽

Also say you do the Visa run and they don't let you back into Thailand?聽 It's happened.聽 Then what?聽 What about your stuff?聽 Unless you intend to shlep everything you own on each visa run you could be SOL.聽

Believe me its not that big a deal to get an O-A visa from the consulate in the US.聽 We drove to La (lived in Phoenix) spent the night, dropped our paperwork off, went back the next day in the morning, had our visa papers in our passport and drove home.

johndale Active member

27POSTS

13 years ago

I got my O-A visa in Los Angeles before i came here. it was actually very easy. I recommended getting it before arrival. In LA, the consulate is on Larchmont, and there is a guy across the street who helped me prepare my package of documents - took my picture, made photo copies, money order, etc. - mostly he made sure everything was there before submission. I arrived too late in the afternoon and he even submitted my application for me the following morning - and I picked up my visa at his office in tue afternoon!

I'd recommended getting the O-A before leaving, and if in LA, I'd go see this guy for sure. Send me a private message if anyone needs more info about him.

scottmallon Serial expat

229POSTS

13 years ago

bonzersmom wrote:
wannaretire wrote:
Thanks for the helpful replies. As I mentioned in a later post I do intend on movin' on over. And the sooner the better. Another question if I may. I have heard two different strategies for obtaining the "O" retirement visa. Some say better to get it when there, others say get it here in the States first. Not sure if it really matters. I do meet the income and age requirements and don't have a criminal background.

Anyway thanks for again reading my posts. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Definitely get the O-A visa in the US.聽 Basically ask yourself this question.聽 If they need a document that I forgot to bring, didn't know I needed how would I get it?聽 If the answer is "I'd have to fly back to the USA" then you have just answered the first question.聽

Also applying for an O-A visa while in Thailand you are under a time constraint.聽 You have to apply for an extension which gives you a limited time in Thailand.聽 ANY correspondance between Thailand and the US will take 2 weeks (that's express mail both ways and the people in the US mail back what you need IMMEDIATELY) to months or years.聽

There are lots of people who do the visa run thing but it is getting more and more strict and you get less and less time.聽 And they ARE cracking down on overstays.聽 While we were doing our 90 day check in on Wednesday we saw an american woman get hauled away. She had scheduled her flight back to US for 6 days after her visa expired.聽 She figured "its only 6 days".聽 It's 5000 bhat PER DAY for every overstayed day. She didn't have the money.聽 Somehow they caught her on the overstay.聽 Possibly as she was flying out of the country.聽

Thai jails are not nice places.聽 I keep remembering Midnight Express.聽

Also say you do the Visa run and they don't let you back into Thailand?聽 It's happened.聽 Then what?聽 What about your stuff?聽 Unless you intend to shlep everything you own on each visa run you could be SOL.聽

Believe me its not that big a deal to get an O-A visa from the consulate in the US.聽 We drove to La (lived in Phoenix) spent the night, dropped our paperwork off, went back the next day in the morning, had our visa papers in our passport and drove home.

It's 500 baht per day overstay, not 5000 baht. The maximum overstay charge is 20,000 baht. Regardless of how much it is, it's definitely not a good idea to overstay.