11 Years In Thailand ...

[CebuAndy]

I lived in Thailand from year 2000 until late 2011, when I decided to move to the Philippines. :thumbsup:

Let me first share with you some general things about Thailand, before I later will share how it was to live in Thailand, get married - and be taken to the cleaner.

Visa:

30 days or arrival by air / 15 days on arrival by land for most nationalities. Free.

Long stayers go to Vientiane Laos, and apply for double entry tourist visa. Trip from Bangkok or Pattaya in 10 seter van. Leave 7 pm - back home 9 pm, 2 days later.

Cost all included aprox 275 $

After 60 days in Thailand, go to Immigration and get a 30 days extension of the first entry one obtained in Laos previously. Cost aprox 65 $

After 90 days in Thailand do a border run to Cambodia and activate the 2nd entry of the visa one got from Laos previously. This is a daytrip, leave 7 am and back 3 pm.

Cost aprox 85 $

After 150 days in Thailand, go to Immigration again and get another 30 days extension. Cost aprox 65 $

After 180 days in Thailand you repeat this from the top. As per today one can stay in Thailand 'forever', although the laws are known for change now and then. I lived in Thailand on tourist visa, back to back, until I reached the age of 50 = NON O (retirement) visa.

1 year in Thailand as above will per today cost 980 USD

Retirement visa:

Age 50 or more :

A - have THB 800.000 = 25.800 USD in a Thai bank or

B - have pension equal to THB 800.000 confirmed from your Embassy, or

a combination of these two, but no less than THB 800.000

With a NON o visa (retirement visa) one must report to Immigration every 90 days.

1 year in Thailand with NON O visa, will cost 300 USD, if I remember correct.

Any age and married with a local: Requires only THB 400.000 in the bank, but loads of documentation.

Driver Lisence:

Your local driver license DL will be axcepted for 30-60 days some require a international DL (seems to depend of the officer stopping you). To get a Thai DL you need your original DL, medical exam in any clinic, answer a few Q's, check blood preasure, and you out in 5 minute. At the transport office one watch a video about safe driving, take a reaction brake test on a simple simulator, and take a written test where they allow 10 wrong answer to pass. Should you fail, there are always a way out.

Some get asked to do a driving test, but this depend what office you use etc. First time one get a 1 year DL - next year 1 year, then 3rd year one get a 5 year DL, again this seems to vary from office to office, what day of the week .....

Some offices demand you must have a NON O visa, others let it slide.....

Police has daily check point so one really need a local DL these days. Fine for no DL is 7 $. If you're involved in a accident no matter who was to blame, expect to be the one to pay.

Thais don't have much respect for red lights, one way streets or traffic rules. Very macho in their driving and road rage is the norm. If you don't like the traffic in the Philippines, you sure don't have a chance in Thailand

Medical Insurance:

Many insurance companies offer medical insurance. Premium can be from 500 - 1500 USD pr year, for a 500.000 - 2.000.000 THB coverage.

Coverage less than 2 million THB is not enough IMO, unless one has savings as well. Operations among friends in these year usually cost them 1,5 mill and up.

Next time: about relationship - get married and more :dance:

Edited August 13, 2012 by CebuAndy

[MikeB]

Thanks, Andy. Sounds like a good place to visit, not live. All those visa runs would not work for me. You did it for 11 years? Once a year is more then enough.

[CebuAndy]

Doesn't seem to be any interest of this topic

so no need for me to follow up.

:SugarwareZ-034:

[i am bob]

Andy, I think a lot of people - myself included - are interested but we just don't have any comments yet!

I'd really like to hear what you have to say!

:tiphat:

[Adventurer]

Doesn't seem to be any interest of this topic

so no need for me to follow up.

:SugarwareZ-034:

I lost interest when i read this part:

"later will share how it was to live in Thailand, get married - and be taken to the cleaner. "

I would get that interest back if you write about that part :)

[Brad616]

Yea , Andy fire away

[brock]

I lived in Thailand for a while and must say I loved it, Interesting topic, Keep on Andy :)

[i am bob]

Things are changing daily in the Philippines. And this means that maybe, just maybe, somebody is debating between moving to Thailand instead... (Not me! hehe!) By relating your adventures, you may help someone make the better decision!

[Curley]

Things are changing daily in the Philippines. And this means that maybe, just maybe, somebody is debating between moving to Thailand instead... (Not me! hehe!) By relating your adventures, you may help someone make the better decision!

THAT'S ME!

There are pros and cons for both and having been visiting both 3 or 4 times a year for the last few years I still cannot make up my mind.

[volstateguy]

I too would like to hear more Andy. I definitely want to visit some day, not sure about living there though. Like Mike I'm sure I would get tired of all the visa runs, but the retirement visa could be an option after turning 50.