bakedbean

So Aug 25th (posting #4) you don't have a thai visa and clueless about 90 days reporting.

Sep 23rd you have the thai visa. Bloody amazing.

But ho hum how to get a deposit on for 3 months in 1 month.... mmmmm..... g'wan how did you do it?

mrfaroukh

Hello, I was quite clueless about the whole thing, but after some tips from people like you, reading the laws and regulation I got some idea what to do and how to get the visa. But I was still clueless about reporting every 90 days to the police. But I got to know about that too when I did get the visa for one year (one year retirement visa which can be extended every year and after 3 years by paying 190 000 Bath can be changed to resident visa, you must also show that you can speak little Thai at least). I was told by the immigration officer when exactly I have to report again after 3 months, and if we dont then we have to pay some fine. Of course I still do not know what will happen if I am not in Thailand that date???? Or what will happen if I have to leave Thailand for almost a year and come back again before my one year visa is expired.

To get a one year visa was quite easy, you just had to get a letter from Embassy to show that you earn minimum 65000 Bath a month in retirement and you are over 50 years of age. I had to wait in immigration office in Bangkok for almost 2 hours, gave the original letter from Embassy, copy the non immigration visa that I got earlier pluss a copy of passport. I also had to pay 1900 Bath for the visa and 1000 Bath for single re-entry visa. And now I do have a visa until september 2010.

I now have to learn more about how to live here safe and sound. Have to learn about:

1) Which insurance I should get, both health insurance, travel insurance, hous insurance etc.

2) Which bank is the best to use

3) Which credit card to use so you get the best benefits, both for travel insurance and other benefits.

4) How and where to get the best and cheapest house, flat to rent. Is it best to rent fully furnished, semi furnished etc.

5) Which hospital is best the best to use no matter if I live in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phukket or Chain Mai

6) How to find more expact like myself in a city that I am going to live.

7) Plus more

I have realized that the best way to live in a foreign country is to learn about the possibilities, laws and regulations, language. That way you are always prepared in bad times.

bakedbean

Do you want to post a link on the government website about this Mr F? Never heard of it.

Razlan

Faroukh, good to know you got your one year visa. Maybe you can head down to Malaysia regularly and see for yourself. As for being afraid about "Islamic law" in Malaysia, believe me, there is none. Just go to the clubs here and you'll find out. The Singaporean girl who got busted for drinking alcohol is something we here still cannot understand. It is probably the work of an overzealous religious official. Trust me, if they were to do the same elsewhere in Malaysia, they would probably need to make a prison a hundred times the size of KLCC. So, don't be unduly worried. A lot of things reported in the press (almost all are bad about Malaysia) is overblown. Come over to Malaysia and you'll be fine.

Farang9

Thailand has no religious discrimination, though there is conflict in the south of the country between majority Muslims, and the Buddhists who are the majority in the rest of the country. Thailand puts more obstacles in teh way of foreigners who wish to retire here - you may not own land, except through a company with a majority of Thai shareholders, or a house or flat, unless in a condominium, with a majority of Thai owners. Also, you can only live here long term on a retirement visa, which must be renewed every year, and requires reporting to the immigration police every 90 days. You also need to show a minimum income or bank balanc in a Thai bank.
Having said all that, Thailand is still a good place to live - with one disadvantage it has in common with Malaysia - the lack of cost of living increments to the UK state pension.
I retired here to Thailand in 1998 for health reasons, and reached pensionable age in 2000, since when my pension has remained static. I paid the full NI contributions throughout my working life, and it seems very unfair that I, like the rest of us who choose not to live in specified countries, should not receive the appropriate benefits, paricularly as we make no demands on the NHS or social services.
The list of countries approved for annual cost of living increases in state pension makes very curious reading:
Barbados, Bermuda, Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Guernsey, Israel, Jamaica, Jersey, Mauritius, Montenegro, Philippines, Serbia, Turkey, USA and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, plus the EU.
If anyone can see any logic in the inclusion of this hodge-podge, and the exclusion of the rest of the world, I would be glad to know it.
Fingers crossed (without a lot of hope) thet the European court will make the right decision, and the UK DWP will accede to it.

Farang9

If the immigration officer told you that you can get a resident visa after 3 years, he was quoting the law as written. However, you will find that it does not work like that in practice. 20 years ago that was the situation, but now resident visas are extremely restricted, and, according to Phuket Immigration, are NEVER given to retirement visa holders, only to businessmen who have at least $1,000,000 to invest in Thai industry. The immigration officer told me to keep the (non-refundable) application fee which would be lost.
If you have to leave Thailand at any time, remember to get a re-entry permit before you go. When you come back, the 90 days starts to count from the date of re-entry. If you forget to get the re-entry permit, you will have enormous hassle trying to re-start your retirement visa.

Chris351

Oh Yes ,
I find myself in good company me and quite a few others, ( a thousand, more?) The admin won't answer the question as to how many " members" can actually still post.


Just remember, on TV no critisizing Thailand or any sponsors or more importantly NEVER espouse vehemently any kind of feminist viewpoint nor call any members on their rather apparent proclivities on hired sex.

(AND NO DISCUSSING OF PEDOPHILIA in any way..)

BTW the Bangkok Post has threatened Thai Visa with litigation of any more material is copied from the paper's web site .

Chris351

Right mate, so we'll be seeing you on Walking Street then ?

Travel Ed

Malaysia is comfortable probably safer but you are limited to area where most of the foreign apartments are etc.
If you like a little nightlife Thailand is your only choice. Beer in bars in Malaysia is expensive. Just dont buy property in Thailand. Keep your head down. Dont leave your brains behind.
I lived there until 2 years ago but going back to Far East next month

bakedbean

We found the beer and wine prices in pubs and food courts in Penang pretty much the same prices as Phuket. Looking at prices of booze in supermarkets, it was a little more expensive in Penang (but better quality wines available - Oz and NZ wines ).

Farang9

A good range of Oz wines is available in Phuket - but the draconian Thai import tax makes them ridiculously expensive. Better to make a run to the Sadao duty free once a year!

bakedbean

Bit of a long drive for a couple of bottles though and petrol to burn.

Farang9

Not if you load up with a few cases!

the troubadour

Expect you are returning to Thailand? Cambodia has a pretty hectic nightlife also..Found Malaysia the best by far on a people to people basis. Do wonder about Philippines as a country to stay awhile.
Rest of your advice sounds spot on.

mrfaroukh

Thank you so much for your good advises. I keep in mind. I may also visit Malaysia to see for myself how it is. I guess the visa system is much better there. 10 years at a time sound great. Many told me that most people also speak English, so we have no hastle of not being understood. I will let you know once I made my enquiries. Thansk again