Retiring in Bangkok

[passinthenight]

On 09/12/2017 at 6:18 PM, Guest Guest said:

Thanks. On my recent trip there, I wondered if you had reclocated. Was going to ask you or ppl already there for a dinner meet, to see what the experience has been so far.  Am sure you agree there is quite a difference between visiting and actually staying.

 

I have been to Pattay twice. First time, found the place busy but relatively nice. Laid back. Gay scene was more 'open', not sure if I can explain what I mean. I think Pattaya is definitely more open when it comes to sex/relationships. There were a lot more people holding hands and going about, male and female, male and male.  Second time around, place even more busy and a lot more commercialism had crept in. Lots of Easter Europeans/Russians who were not only tourists but who also owned businesses. Not as commercial as Bangkok but certainly not as organised either.  Accommodation, both to buy and to rent, cheaper than Bangkok but am comparing city to city, not urban to urban. Am sure there is relatively cheap accommodation in Bangkok, if one moves away from the main centre and away from the BTS/MRT.

 

 So is Pattaya, your cup of tea? 

I have read that Real estate is quite depressed there along with Phuket.

However the places in prime locations are still holding up well as people will always want to buy the location location location, properties.

 

Edited December 11, 2017 by passinthenight

[Guest Guest]

20 hours ago, passinthenight said:

 

 So is Pattaya, your cup of tea? 

I have read that Real estate is quite depressed there along with Phuket.

However that places in prime locations are still holding up well as people will always want to buy the location location location, properties.

 

Parts of Pattaya is. I quite like how one can still get unpretentious, cafe type shops that sell quite good home food plus one can still go for walks on the beach and not get hassled, relatively.

 

The people are also quite unpretentious - I think on the whole they are not as well off as the people in Bangkok plus there is still the influence from the outlying villages, people still come in seeking work opportunities.

 

Yeah, I heard one can get a good one bedroom Jomtien Condo for USD150K but I have also heard of people trying to sell their Condos but there were no takers. I heard that the workmanship/finish on Condos in Pattaya are not as good as the ones in BKK. For long term stay in Pattaya, I think it is even more important to have a group of close friends.

 

[passinthenight]

4 hours ago, Guest Guest said:

Parts of Pattaya is. I quite like how one can still get unpretentious, cafe type shops that sell quite good home food plus one can still go for walks on the beach and not get hassled, relatively.

 

The people are also quite unpretentious - I think on the whole they are not as well off as the people in Bangkok plus there is still the influence from the outlying villages, people still come in seeking work opportunities.

 

Yeah, I heard one can get a good one bedroom Jomtien Condo for USD150K but I have also heard of people trying to sell their Condos but there were no takers. I heard that the workmanship/finish on Condos in Pattaya are not as good as the ones in BKK. For long term stay in Pattaya, I think it is even more important to have a group of close friends.

 

 

 Thanks for your Input on Pattaya.

When you retire, you have no idea just how long you will live, so being in an unpretentious environment, where you can live in a frugal manner would make life less stressful.

 

 Also renting seems to be the go... unless you are absolutely positive....you have found the right place. Even then wait another 6 months just to make really sure. LOL. Maybe rent something 1st and then consider buying it, once you know the quality is good and the location suits.

Edited December 11, 2017 by passinthenight

[lonelyglobe]

It seems that Pattaya are not often mention as a retirement choice, some of he more popular ones includes: 

Peaceful Retirement: Krabi Town

Krabi boasts not only an affordable cost of living, but a low crime rate as well. The international community is like a small town: With just 2000 to 3000 westerners in residence during the high season (November to April), it can soon seem that everyone knows everyone, but at the same time it can be "cliquey," and there's no organized expat social club, just some favorite local gathering spots. Accessible national parks include the island paradises of Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta.

 

Adventurous Retirement: Chiang Mai

As far as adventure activities – beyond the daily adventure inherent to living abroad – northern Thailand’s mountainous terrain is a natural setting for everything from whitewater rafting and kayaking, to mountain biking and jungle trekking. The city of Chiang Mai, considered the cultural heart of northern Thailand, is often associated with adventure because of its proximity to these outdoor pursuits. Chiang Mai offers museums, nightlife, international restaurants, shopping, and more than 300 Buddhist temples. The international community is large, with about 40,000 people from around the globe living here.

Strong Expat Communities: Both Chiang Mai and Hua Hin

Chiang Mai is home to a large number of long-term retired expats, both singles and couples. Another popular city for expats is Hua Hin. Hua Hin was once a quiet fishing village, but after Thailand’s royal family built a vacation home on the shore in the 1920s, it attracted nearby Bangkok’s elite, who in turn established a community of vacation homes along Hua Hin’s wide, sandy beaches. Today, Hua Hin has a well-developed expat community, who enjoy the area’s small-town feel, flourishing restaurant scene, sea breezes and reasonable cost of living.

Cosmopolitan Retirement: Bangkok 

Bangkok is the city of choice if you’re looking for a cosmopolitan retirement. Anything you want in a big city can be found here: modern shopping malls, a large number of entertainment venues for every taste, numerous art museums. The city includes a solid infrastructure as well. “Bangkok has excellent hospitals and medical care, an efficient transit system and many public parks. The city is also home to a large expat community and given its population of 9 million, you won't be surprised that the car traffic can be a nightmare.

Low-Cost Retirement: Chiang Rai 

"If Thailand is one of the cheapest countries on Earth, Chiang Rai would be one of the cheapest cities,"  Chiang Rai is located about 100 miles from Chiang Mai, in Thailand’s northernmost province, and is surrounded by mountains, rice fields, forests, rivers and beautiful waterfalls. Although expats should expect a rural lifestyle, Chiang Rai does offer the basic amenities – including restaurants, a hospital and a shopping mall.  Chiang Rai is still hot – but it is the coolest city in the country. It has very inexpensive houses, condos and apartments, good food and friendly people.

Beach Living: Phuket and Rayong

Or you might just want to be sure that you're not far from Thailand's famed beaches. Phuket, for example – Thailand’s largest island – offers the best of both worlds: peaceful days spent on white-sand beaches and action-packed nights in any of the area’s nightclubs. Rayong is an up-and-coming expat destination. Located along Thailand’s Eastern Gulf Coast, Rayong boasts some of the most peaceful beach living in the country. Though rural, an easy 2.5 hour drive gets you to Bangkok. Because of Rayong’s natural beauty – and its proximity to the country’s largest city – new condo developments and hotels have begun to pop up along the coast to serve resident tourists and expats alike.

 

[Guest Guest]

19 hours ago, passinthenight said:

 

 Thanks for your Input on Pattaya.

When you retire, you have no idea just how long you will live, so being in an unpretentious environment, where you can live in a frugal manner would make life less stressful.

 

 Also renting seems to be the go... unless you are absolutely positive....you have found the right place. Even then wait another 6 months just to make really sure. LOL. Maybe rent something 1st and then consider buying it, once you know the quality is good and the location suits.

True re unpretentious living. I think my main concern would be access to affordable health-care and this is one of the main deciders on whether I do re-locate or not. I have no health issues now but with older age brings health complications, learning from my observation.

 

Yeah, not only here but in other Forums. Renting is definitely the way to go first. There is no telling how long one will stay or be allowed to stay in an adopted land so it would not be advisable putting down too strong roots. Having said that, I have heard of people actually marrying and building a 25K house, of course in a village area - no way would a house cost that little if not in a village. To each his own I suppose.

[Guest Guest]

19 hours ago, lonelyglobe said:

It seems that Pattaya are not often mention as a retirement choice, some of he more popular ones includes: 

Peaceful Retirement: Krabi Town

........

Beach Living: Phuket and Rayong

Or you might just want to be sure that you're not far from Thailand's famed beaches. Phuket, for example – Thailand’s largest island – offers the best of both worlds: peaceful days spent on white-sand beaches and action-packed nights in any of the area’s nightclubs. Rayong is an up-and-coming expat destination. Located along Thailand’s Eastern Gulf Coast, Rayong boasts some of the most peaceful beach living in the country. Though rural, an easy 2.5 hour drive gets you to Bangkok. Because of Rayong’s natural beauty – and its proximity to the country’s largest city – new condo developments and hotels have begun to pop up along the coast to serve resident tourists and expats alike.

 

Thank you very much lonelyglobe, for fantastic information. Are you contemplatmg moving too or have you or is this just something you came across?

[lonelyglobe]

given the high cost of living here, retiring in Thailand seems to be one option, beside the similarity in culture and climate, other factors to consider include availability of quality and affordable health care, accessibility within the city as well as connectivity to Singapore, preferred lifestyle (shopper vs beach-goer vs nature lover), last but not least the cost of living in that city since this is the main reason for relocation in the first place

[passinthenight]

Health insurance for Seniors I would think would be quite expensive. It might be better to just keep a seperate stash of money aside in a bank account for this.

[Guest Guest]

On 13/12/2017 at 11:59 AM, passinthenight said:

Health insurance for Seniors I would think would be quite expensive. It might be better to just keep a seperate stash of money aside in a bank account for this.

Could not agree more but hard to plan for as who knows what might come up? 

 

Some of the foreigner targeted hospitals in Bkk are run like 5 star hotels so a simple procedure could easily ruck up a few thousand dollars.

 

To me, this is more of a decision factor of whether to relocate or not rather than the lower day to day cost of living (in the relocated country).  I suppose one option is to chance it and relocate for a bit and then head back "home" when older or when ones health is failing?

[passinthenight]

I like the option of 'chancing it' and then just seeing how things go.

I believe it would take a minimum of 2 years to feel settled, anyway.

I have a little arthritis and I get migraines in winter, so my health will benefit at the start because of the tropical climate.

I won't require any meds for any of the above which will be wonderful.

 

 

Edited December 14, 2017 by passinthenight

[inbody123]

On 9/3/2017 at 8:31 PM, passinthenight said:

Good luck with your exciting move.

I hope you will keep us all updated when you hit the ground there.

I didn't think it was allowed for someone to retire under the retirement visa and do any form of paid or unpaid work.

 

One cannot work under a Retirement Visa but if I can secure a job I can convert it into a Work Permit. 

Even volunteer work are forbidden under a Retirement Visa.

 

I am making that move in April 2018 to Bangkok ( Postpone for a year to save more $)

 

To keep myself busy I have consider studying intensive Thai for 6 months at Chula or Duke Language School.

http://www.arts.chula.ac.th/CTFL/

I have been preparing for the move 18 months ago and have been studying Thai at Inlingua  and Lingo since March 2017. 

I can communicate ( survival) and read and write basic Thai. 

 

Bank Account all set up at K Bank, Enough Baht to survive 18months in this bank account.

( Budgeted at Baht 38K a month)

Enough to apply for a Retirement Visa.

 

Things that once can do to keep oneself busy : - 

a) Commercial Gym ( I am joining Virgin)

b) Cooking classes

c) Join a cycling group (I am a avid cyclist)

d) MeetUps - many interest groups 

 

I strongly suggest to buy Insurance while living in Thailand. 

https://misterprakan.com/en/default

Not that expensive, and you get peace of mind.

 

Places to stay - I love Ekkamai but cannot afford this area are so will settle for ONNUT instead.

The Link is near Tesco and BTS Onnut and rent are reasonable 

 http://www.renthub.in.th/en/condo-listings/the-link-sukhumvit-50--6

 

Strongly against buying - settle down first to see if Thailand is right for you.

 

Start a Relationships ?  When ?

Any feedback ?

 

 

 

 

Edited December 15, 2017 by inbody123

[Guest Guest]

6 hours ago, inbody123 said:

 

One cannot work under a Retirement Visa but if I can secure a job I can convert it into a Work Permit. 

Even volunteer work are forbidden under a Retirement Visa.

 

I am making that move in April 2018 to Bangkok ( Postpone for a year to save more $)

 

To keep myself busy I have consider studying intensive Thai for 6 months at Chula or Duke Language School.

http://www.arts.chula.ac.th/CTFL/

I have been preparing for the move 18 months ago and have been studying Thai at Inlingua  and Lingo since March 2017. 

I can communicate ( survival) and read and write basic Thai. 

 

Bank Account all set up at K Bank, Enough Baht to survive 18months in this bank account.

( Budgeted at Baht 38K a month)

Enough to apply for a Retirement Visa.

 

Things that once can do to keep oneself busy : - 

a) Commercial Gym ( I am joining Virgin)

b) Cooking classes

c) Join a cycling group (I am a avid cyclist)

d) MeetUps - many interest groups 

 

I strongly suggest to buy Insurance while living in Thailand. 

https://misterprakan.com/en/default

Not that expensive, and you get peace of mind.

 

Places to stay - I love Ekkamai but cannot afford this area are so will settle for ONNUT instead.

The Link is near Tesco and BTS Onnut and rent are reasonable 

 http://www.renthub.in.th/en/condo-listings/the-link-sukhumvit-50--6

 

Strongly against buying - settle down first to see if Thailand is right for you.

 

Start a Relationships ?  When ?

Any feedback ?

 

 

 

 

Good luck with the move. Please share your experience.  If you dont mind, will invite you out for dinner when I am there next, would be good to hear your thoughts then.

 

Thanks for tine info on insurance. Would be good to hear from people who have claimed, if the process is difficult or if there is a lot of red tape.

 

Start a relationship?  A bit tricky as one never knows when one might leave the country, get visitors from home and mainly if the other party is sincere. Perhaps the relationship might be strong friendship with someone or other people in the same situation? Lets be frank, many foreigners have relationships, with the locals, which are based on money. I would love to get to know locals without money coming into play but that would be unrealistic. Relationships based on money tend to be ... challenging, for want of a better word.

[passinthenight]

Great work inbody123, it looks like you have really done your homework.

I am a dead set amateur compared to you.

May I ask what type of visa, you plan to use to enter the Country?

It looks like you will apply once you get there.

I hope all goes well and I would be great if you could keep us all updated.

Edited December 16, 2017 by passinthenight

[inbody123]

9 weeks more to permanently base in Bangkok. 

 

Air Tickets Booked,  Hotel for 2 weeks Booked, hope this give me sufficient time to locate a studio.

 

Enrolled to start Thai  language - starts 01/06/2018.

 

Gym Joined ( Fitness First, commencing 14/05/2018) 

 

VISA Agent said to come in on a tourist visa and they will convert it into a Non Immigrant O Visa 

 

" Since you will be arriving on Tourist Visa, we will assist you to process and secure Non Immigrant O Visa which is valid for 3 months and extension of stay valid for 12 months. The total duration of stay you will get is for 15 months. The cost for Non Immigrant O Visa valid for 15 months is 28,000 THB. Application will be processed via fast track to make sure visa is successfully secured without any hassle. The cost is inclusive Multiple Re-entry permit for 15 months " 

 

Tick Tick Tick ! Clock Ticking 

 

[Guest InBangkok]

I have lived in Bangkok for about 15 years. Most of what has been written in this thread is good information. Just a few points.

 

1. Location. Public transport is getting much better and so staying out of the centre is much less of a problem than it used to be. 40 sq. m. apartments away from the centre are becoming very popular both for Thais and others wishing to live here. The latter include both retirees and groups like mainland Chinese. But if you like a central location, you should look just a little away from the Sathorn area. About 1 km away you can pick up 80 sq. m. apartments for around 6 million Baht in older buildings. As stated above, the second hand market for apartments is not so active. But if you decide on an older apartment, make sure everything is thoroughly checked in advance. You don't want to be facing major maintenance issues. That said, my apartment has required very little maintenance and its value has more than doubled, even though it may take many months to sell if I put it on the market.

 

2. Health Insurance. In Bangkok the hospitals are excellent. As said earlier, the top ones are like 5-star hotels with overseas trained doctors and the latest facilities. It was suggested that you can do without health insurance and just have a capital sum ready to meet medical costs. I think it is madness to rely on a capital sum. It may cover you for something like open heart surgery - cost estimated around 1.2 million Baht all in. But what happens if you have a series of illnesses? Even if you don't, you constantly have to top up that capital sum. The Thailand chat rooms have had stories of several foreigners who decided to rely on a capital sum who then found it was not nearly enough. There is at least one company in Bangkok - Pacific Cross - that will offer those under 65 good policies at good premiums that are suitable for Thailand. Some will also cover you worldwide. If the latter, then you need to make sure that the benefits will actually cover costs in countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, the USA etc. where medical costs are far higher. That will push up your premium dramatically. If you plan to travel outside Thailand, think instead about an annual travel insurance policy in addition to your Thai policy. That's what I have.

 

3. Language. It's great if you can learn some Thai. But it is not necessary to know much. In Bangkok it's relatively easy to get by without it. Outside Bangkok, though, it's more difficult.

 

4. Don't buy first - Rent! This is such important advice. You must get used to the area you are thinking about living  in. You must get used to life in Bangkok. Living here long term is nothing like short visits as a tourist. You must also get used to the Thais. Thai logic is very different from most western-style logic and it can often drive you mad! You may find after a few months that Bangkok and Thailand, despite its lower costs and other temptations, is not for you. If you had bought, you might be stuck for up to a year or more trying to sell the apartment.

 

5. Sex! If Bangkok's freer attitude to gay sex is one of the attractions of Thailand for you, please remember this city is changing and attitudes are changing. The number of go-go bars is declining and police raids increasing. Fewer Thai guys want to work in those bars and so many bars employ illegal Vietnamese and Cambodians to make up numbers. When the police appear, they disappear fast. With a few exceptions, saunas are mostly moving out into the suburbs or closing down. The same is true of massage spas. Since 2001 the government has had a policy to improve the international view of Bangkok as sin city. Gay and Straight nightlife has been targeted. Unfortunately it is the gay venues that have come under much greater scrutiny.

 

6. Visa. Renewal of the 1-year retirement visa costs 1,900 Baht with 3,800 for the multiple re-entry visa. Agents charge a variety of fees for helping with all the paperwork (lots of it) and then getting you a place high in the queue (there are many hundreds at immigration every day). The total being paid by inody123 seems high to me. But as with everything, check around before deciding to go with one agency or legal firm.

[abang]

May I add my observations about the condo in Pattaya?

I had a holiday romance with a Dutch man who happened to rent an apartment in Jomtien, one of those View Talay.  

 

It is basically a studio apartment about 400 square feet  - big enough for a single man and the bonus is the small patio that faces the beach/sea.  However the finishings aint even our HDB standard ..you can see blemishes in the walls and the bathroom is a complete turn-off.

 

Saving grace - a rather big pool within the complex.

[Guest InBangkok]

Just to add to abang's excellent comment, there are also changes happening in Pattaya. The road by the gay part of the beach has been redeveloped and some of the smaller accommodations there are no more. The umbrella owners and the vendors have also come under a new set of rules by the city council. From what I hear (and I admit I have not been there myself for more than 2 years), the beach is no longer nearly as much fun as before. Hardly any of the bar boys go there now and so there is little pleasing eye candy.

 

The other point is that the quality of the water off Pattaya is extremely poor and getting worse. I would not wish to live there, but then I know retirees who live in Pattaya who would not dream of living in Bangkok. To each his own! Like Bangkok, though, Pattaya is attempting to redefine itself away from a gay/sex destination and more to one catering for families. Whether they can succeed, I have no idea. But one gay area, Sunee Plaza, is now almost a ghost town.

[inbody123]

1 hour ago, Guest InBangkok said:

2. Health Insurance. In Bangkok the hospitals are excellent. As said earlier, the top ones are like 5-star hotels with overseas trained doctors and the latest facilities. It was suggested that you can do without health insurance and just have a capital sum ready to meet medical costs. I think it is madness to rely on a capital sum. It may cover you for something like open heart surgery - cost estimated around 1.2 million Baht all in. But what happens if you have a series of illnesses? Even if you don't, you constantly have to top up that capital sum. The Thailand chat rooms have had stories of several foreigners who decided to rely on a capital sum who then found it was not nearly enough. There is at least one company in Bangkok - Pacific Cross - that will offer those under 65 good policies at good premiums that are suitable for Thailand. Some will also cover you worldwide. If the latter, then you need to make sure that the benefits will actually cover costs in countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, the USA etc. where medical costs are far higher. That will push up your premium dramatically. If you plan to travel outside Thailand, think instead about an annual travel insurance policy in addition to your Thai policy. That's what I have.

 

4. Don't buy first - Rent! This is such important advice. You must get used to the area you are thinking about living  in. You must get used to life in Bangkok. Living here long term is nothing like short visits as a tourist. You must also get used to the Thais. Thai logic is very different from most western-style logic and it can often drive you mad! You may find after a few months that Bangkok and Thailand, despite its lower costs and other temptations, is not for you. If you had bought, you might be stuck for up to a year or more trying to sell the apartment.

 

6. Visa. Renewal of the 1-year retirement visa costs 1,900 Baht with 3,800 for the multiple re-entry visa. Agents charge a variety of fees for helping with all the paperwork (lots of it) and then getting you a place high in the queue (there are many hundreds at immigration every day). The total being paid by inody123 seems high to me. But as with everything, check around before deciding to go with one agency or legal firm.

 

1) I will have a Health Insurance Plan ( Baht 2K) per month with LMG Insurance.

2) What is a reasonable price for a 30sqm studio near BTS Onnut ? I seen some in Dec 2017, asking Baht 9 - 12K per month.

3) Very Expensive VISA fees, but the hassle of running around puts me off - I have set aside S$1,000 for this exercise.

 

I have been preparing for this move, I have been learning THAI at Inlingua and Lingo since March 2016.

One need to learn the language to SURVIVE in Bangkok. 

 

 

Edited February 8, 2018 by inbody123

[abang]

This is just my own observations..

As a city dweller, Pattaya isn't as interesting as it used to be some 15-20 years ago.  The infamous volleyball match at Dongtan beach has long gone.  Even I, bloody old man, can get whistle call nowadays.  The junta has definitely affected the livelihood of the beach vendors there - good thing, they ban smoking too!

 

The few reasons I can think of to visit Pattaya are ..

a visit to Ko Larn ..ferry tickets at THB 30 only

a visit to the Nong Nooch Gardens

 

News out of BANGKOK —

An air-conditioned passenger train will begin operating from the capital to Pattaya in March. It will depart Bangkok at 6:30am and reach Pattaya at 9am. For the return trip, the train will depart Pattaya at 3:50pm and reach the capital at 6:50pm.

 

That makes for a journey a little slower than the average drive, but without the driving or hunting for a bus. The train will have six stops: Si Racha town, North Pattaya, Pattaya Floating Market, Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden, Wat Yan Sang Wararam and finally terminate at Ban Phlu Ta Luang in Sattahip district. Oratai said that the diesel-run train is still in its planning stage and will have a trial period of six months. It will run only on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

 

 

 

[Guest Gast]

4 hours ago, inbody123 said:

9 weeks more to permanently base in Bangkok. 

 

Air Tickets Booked,  Hotel for 2 weeks Booked, hope this give me sufficient time to locate a studio.

 

Enrolled to start Thai  language - starts 01/06/2018.

 

Gym Joined ( Fitness First, commencing 14/05/2018) 

 

VISA Agent said to come in on a tourist visa and they will convert it into a Non Immigrant O Visa 

 

" Since you will be arriving on Tourist Visa, we will assist you to process and secure Non Immigrant O Visa which is valid for 3 months and extension of stay valid for 12 months. The total duration of stay you will get is for 15 months. The cost for Non Immigrant O Visa valid for 15 months is 28,000 THB. Application will be processed via fast track to make sure visa is successfully secured without any hassle. The cost is inclusive Multiple Re-entry permit for 15 months " 

 

Tick Tick Tick ! Clock Ticking 

 

All the best for the move, hope things go smoothly both before and after the trip.

I suppose you wont bring much from Spore, except for personal memorabilia? I mean you can buy pots and pants, shirts and undies in BKK, yeah?

Will you be maintaining some sort of place in Spore? You must have a few things around - have they gone into storage?

[Guest Gast]

3 hours ago, Guest InBangkok said:

I have lived in Bangkok for about 15 years. Most of what has been written in this thread is good information. Just a few points.

........

 

Many thanks for sharing very good information.

If you dont mind, could you share more please?

How do you find living like a local?

Have you made friends?

How do you pass the time? What is your day like?

What is the place like now that the novelty has sort of died down?

Any regrets? What would you do differently?

 

Sorry for the 1001 questions but in this forum, your situation is quite unique and you are one of the few people who have gone through the experieince of staying there ... 15 years, something must be good or right so much so that you have stayed on.

[Guest Gast]

1 hour ago, abang said:

The few reasons I can think of to visit Pattaya are ..

a visit to Ko Larn ..ferry tickets at THB 30 only

a visit to the Nong Nooch Gardens

 

 

Thanks abang. Have been to Pattaya a couple of times but have not done the things you have mentioned - definitely worth a try and different from the standard visit to Jomtien and Boyztown!

[Guest InBangkok]

2 hours ago, Guest Gast said:

Many thanks for sharing very good information.

If you dont mind, could you share more please?

How do you find living like a local?

Have you made friends?

How do you pass the time? What is your day like?

What is the place like now that the novelty has sort of died down?

Any regrets? What would you do differently?

 

First off, I have to say I have lived in other parts of Asia for a long time and so I had been visiting Bangkok regularly for many years. When I made the decision to find a place for eventual retirement, I took a long break from work to investigate various cities/countries. I narrowed the field to 2 - Bangkok being one. As to your questions -

 

1. I guess I don't really live like a local. I think few retirees do. What I can say is that I found an apartment in a quiet residential area on the top floor of an 8-storey building that gets sunlight virtually all day - which I need! I spent money to insulate the ceilings to keep aircon costs reasonable and that was a very useful investment. I talk with Thais in my condo block (all speak pretty good English), there are inexpensive but nice restaurants and cafes nearby (many have evening delivery service if I don't want to go out) and a supermarket within easy walking distance. Although I still do some work (and it's too complicated to explain how that works other than to tell you everything is invoiced from and paid to me outside the country), I rarely have to travel in the rush hour. So although public transport is a good 1.5 kms away, I rarely get stuck in traffic. Prices are a lot lower than most other cities. Also, since I travel quite a bit, I am less than 5 minutes from an expressway and can get to the two airports in about 30 minutes - as long as I am going in the opposite direction to the rush hour traffic! All this apart, I love the fact that I can pop down to a small swimming pool and lie in the sun any time I want, I happen to like the climate, the food, exploring the country and its various Festivals. About the only problem is getting a taxi if I'm stuck in heavy monsoon rain. As long as you resect Thai customs and the Thais way of life, I think anyone moving here will be fine.

 

2. I had some friends here before I decided I wanted to live here. I have also made some other friends - some Thai and some foreigners. There is no hard and fast rule as to how to make friends in any country. It's very much up to each individual. I certainly did not want to come here and make only farang (foreign) friends. That would defeat part of the reason for being here.

 

3. Since I still work, part of my day is already taken up. I also enjoy writing and contribute articles to a couple of magazines. I'll soon start tackling a book. Whether it will be published or not, I don't care that much. I will do it because I enjoy it. Each day tends to be a bit different. In Bangkok there is also so much to explore apart from the few obvious tourist sights.

 

4. A couple of years ago I started to think that maybe I might move to another country which I have been visiting a lot, made some friends and really enjoyed my times there. It would certainly be more expensive but I then realised that I actually enjoy coming home. I enjoy my apartment and its view. I guess I'm too settled now.

 

5. Regrets? I wish I had learned more Thai and kick myself for not having done so. But then, as I stated above, it's quite easy living here speaking only a little Thai. I would also have tried to save a little more as I have not always kept to a budget. Apart from that, I have no regrets. I'm especially glad I did not decide to live in my second choice city/country as I now know I'd have gone a bit crazy!

 

Hope this helps.

[Guest Gast]

18 hours ago, Guest InBangkok said:

 

First off, I have to say I have lived in other parts of Asia for a long time and so I had been visiting Bangkok regularly for many years. When I made the decision to find a place for eventual retirement, I took a long break from work to investigate various cities/countries. I narrowed the field to 2 - Bangkok being one. As to your questions -

...

Hope this helps.

Very informative, thanks very much.

 

Looks like you have carved out a niche for yourself. And yes, I think your situation is atypical. For one, where you are, there are locals who speak English. You either live in an area where there are Thai Professionals or more Thais are learning English now or I have a misconception as to how many Thais can speak English.

 

Since you are still working, in some form or another, your lifestyle is again different - you are not really retired, as such.

 

Sounds like you are contended as is - good. Please invite us to the wedding, thats the next step isnt it?

 

Regards

[Guest InBangkok]

Agreed, I am not totally retired and so our situations may be a little different.

 

One point I failed to mention earlier. I have an American friend who lives here with his long-term boyfriend. He spoke very little Thai when he relocated. So he enrolled in an intensive Thai language course. He had to study 3 hours a day - and was not a great learner and had to repeat one month. But he enjoyed the course and was able to make several good new friends there. They in turn have introduced him to their Thai friends. Just one way of expanding a circle of friends, even though most may not be gay.

 

I guess that living in the centre of the city does make it easier if you don't speak Thai. But I have travelled quite a bit within the country and have never had difficulties I could not somehow solve!

[passinthenight]

Wow, this thread has come to life again.

 

 Thanks inbody123 for your update.

You can tell your Visa agent that you belong to a group of oldies that are looking to retire in Thailand.

So, if he wants referrals, he better well look after you.

[Guest InBangkok]

Just to add one more point for those considering retiring in Thailand. After you have spent a year or so getting to know what life is like for you and decided you want to purchase an apartment, you must consider making a will in Thai as soon as the purchase is made. Thai law states that anyone with a "close connection to" the country (and owning an apartment falls into this group) must have a Thai will for disposal of assets after death. The will must be in Thai with two witnesses providing both addresses and passport/Thai ID care numbers. Without such a will, the Thai courts will award your assets to your next of kin. And that is a road you do not want to consider as it will mean your relative actually coming to Thailand with a ream of paperwork to prove his/her relationship to you. Besides, you may not wish to leave your assets to that family member.

 

Wills in Thai are inexpensive and can be done through a law firm on the internet. I assume the cost is now around 8,000 - 10,000 Baht. 

[passinthenight]

Thanks for the heads up on all the info in all of your your posts, Guest inBangkok.

The more local knowledge and the more local knowhow..... the better equipped we all shall be.

 

 Have you noticed a difference between how the locals interact with you, now compared to when you 1st retired there.

I have been hearing that foreigners are now less welcome and that they have grown a little tired of us being in their Country.

Every time I go on holidays I can't really tell or can't see it. 

Maybe by you living there, you possibly might see a little more clearly.

[Guest InBangkok]

I have noticed no difference at all. Bangkok remains a cosmopolitan city in the sense that there are quite a few nationalities living and working here. There was concern a decade or so ago when the Russians started coming in droves, but they were mostly attracted by Pattaya and Phuket. For much of its history Thailand in general has always been at least tolerant of foreigners. As long as you respect Thai customs and return smiles, I doubt if you will find any problems.

[Guest Gast]

passinthenight, you are next ... the move to Bkk I mean.

 

Guest InBangkok, any negative experiences?  I notice that you have not commented on any relationships, please comment if you are able to or want to - dont want to pry so please feel to say 'No Comment', if you prefer. I was thinking these 2 groups would be tricky to get to know a). Thai professionals/office workers and b). Thai sex workers.  It would probably not be easy for a foreign, retired person to get to know either group relatively intimately, not sexually I mean, but close friends where one gets invited to birthday parties or shows or dinner.  There is a lot of acceptance in Thai society - the one group does not seem to mind the other group but am I wrong, do I not understand the subtleties of Thai society and is there a class structure that is not obvious but present? I have always wondered how Thai sex workers live and eat. They work 7 days a week and when not working, most of them take off from home - or at least that seems to be the habit of someone I have made friends with.  I wanted to see how he lived, basically wanted to know "A day in the life of ..." but I dont speak Thai at all and he does not speak enough English for me to broach the subject so ...

[passinthenight]

Thanks to Guest inBangkok for your reply post.

 

And to Guest Gast, I'm still a couple of years off yet before I will be ready to take the plunge.

I'm just taking life easy and renovating, little by little. 

It's enjoyable to just take your time and not rush things.

[Guest InBangkok]

Guest Gast, you are getting a bit too personal as far as my own life is concerned. But based on my experience and that of other foreigner friends I'm happy to make a few comments.

 

1. Yes, Thai society is heavily structured and there seems to be not a lot of intermingling. I have seen some from different social strata meet at concerts, dinners, the occasional wedding and other events. They are always very polite to each other, but thereafter that's it. They are not going to pass name cards around hoping to get invited to another's dinners.

 

2. Most of the non-Thais I know had met Thai friends/partners during visits before deciding to settle here. I was lucky to have some very long-term business colleagues who had become friends over the years and who were very kind when I moved. Through them I have met quite a number of others in their social group and I am happy to be accepted by them. But I am still an outsider and whilst they are always extremely cordial and friendly when we meet, I cannot really call them friends. I have also made friends with guys who are, for example, waiters in high-end restaurants or butlers in hotels. They are far more easy to call friends. Yet even one or more will disappear suddenly without any reason. And there is usually no way to find out what that reason is! Anyone moving here has to accept that foreigners will never understand Thai logic. It is totally different from anywhere else. Thais obviously understand it. I certainly don't! I guess for me that is the most frustrating part of life here.

 

3. In my view, getting to know gay Thai professionals is far harder than it would be almost anywhere else! Despite its seemingly open acceptance of gays, Thailand is an extremely conservative society. Few professionals are out as gay. They fear the social and professional consequences. They will not be found in the commercial gay bars, clubs and saunas where foreigners congregate. They will make up their own groups and visit more up-market straight clubs and discos which may well have gay sections. Rarely will foreigners be found there. Perhaps the best way of getting to know some in this group is at the higher-end gyms.

 

4. The same is true of most of the younger generation. Students and other young people have their own bars mostly in the Ramkhamhaeng and Ladphrao areas. They go in groups, the music is loud and foreigners are extremely rare unless there with Thai boyfriends.

 

5. Those who visit here and for whom sex is a major part of the agenda can certainly get to know quite a number of the bar boys and their friends. But as a foreigner you have to realise that high of the list of your attractions is your quality as an ATM. It may not be obvious at first. But 99.99% of the time it will rear its head quite soon. It’s also important to realise that the sex scene is now changing quite rapidly. The boys who work in the bars have traditionally come from upcountry. Several in one bar would have come from the same village. As incomes in the countryside have risen quite dramatically over the last 20 years – and perhaps also as a result of HIV – far fewer boys are interested in coming to Bangkok to work in the bars. I believe the same is true to a lesser extent in Pattaya. As I mentioned earlier, bar owners have therefore been importing boys from neighbouring countries. But they cannot get work visas and so technically they cannot work. When the police do their rounds, these guys suddenly vanish! Then they guys have to go back home when their visitor visas end. So the apps are now the way an increasing majority hook up with the money boys.

 

6. It’s exceedingly rare that professionals will associate with commercial sex workers. There are certainly rich Thais, probably married with kids, who maintain a boyfriend by providing an apartment, a car and some form of income for him, in the same way that there are many who have second wives or mistresses. But you will not see this group in any commercial gay establishments.

 

7. As for relationships, most of my foreign friends are in long-term relationships with Thai guys. Several have got married overseas. I have not gone that far. Suffice to say that I am no butterfly and am in a happy relationship, but with another Asian – not a Thai.

 

I’m sorry I am not painting a very encouraging picture. Yet, I still love the attractions of Bangkok

[Guest Gast]

12 hours ago, Guest InBangkok said:

Guest Gast, you are getting a bit too personal as far as my own life is concerned. But based on my experience and that of other foreigner friends I'm happy to make a few comments.

 

I’m sorry I am not painting a very encouraging picture. Yet, I still love the attractions of Bangkok

Haha, yes sorry Guest InBangkok, I did not mean to pry into your personal life and thanks for not having too large a grizzle at me :).

 

I was wondering about that side of living in Thailand and I think you have answered it perfectly. Thank you.

 

As I suspected, Thai BL Dramas perhaps paint either a rosy or a sensationalised picture of gay life in Thailand and like all dramas, should not be taken as a true depiction of every day life there.

 

Actually, I dont know if you have painted an encouring picture or not, what is more important is that you have painted a realistic thru your eyes picture and that is far more important.

 

Regards and thanks again.

[passinthenight]

I can understand why inbody123 waited until he arrived in Bangkok to apply for his retirement visa.

It just seems like a minefield. 

Might as well get there and then get someone to sort it out.

I wonder if Guest inBangkok has any recommendations in assisting with a decent visa agent?

[Guest InBangkok]

I took a different route for the first visa. I applied in the country where i was living. Then I did not need any visa agent or lawyer. I was able to assemble everything I needed myself. It is a slightly longer process as it requires a police record check and detailed statements of your finances. I'm not sure of one thing, though. When I applied, I already owned my apartment here and was able to show proof of having a residence. I think it should still be possible to take this route without an apartment but you would need to check with the Thai Consulate first. The beauty of this type of first retirement visa is that during that first year it keeps on giving you a year's stay every time you leave and return to Thailand. So if you return from a trip outside Thailand in week 52 of the visa, you still get a full year on your return. To all intents and purposes it becomes a two-year visa if you plan your travel well. After the end of year 2, though, you then have to do the regular annual renewal process.

 

I have never involved an agent. I go through a law firm's immigration department. I did this only because I ended up having a bad experience with the agent recommended to me by a friend here. I knew someone in that law firm and they have been great. But they are more expensive.

[passinthenight]

Thanks Guest InBangkok.

the info regarding getting a 2 year visa if you travel and re-enter just before the 1st year is up, is worth consideration even though it seems difficult.

 

 Can you say what did the 1st agent do to make it such a bad experience?

Are they still in business?

 

Cheers,

[Guest InBangkok]

The agent just did not do what he said he would do and I wasted a lot of time. He also gave me incorrect advice as to what I would need when I made the application at the overseas Thai Consulate.

 

The only other point re applying overseas is that you should make sure you request a multiple re-entry permit if you are planning to exit Thailand more than once during the first 12 months. At the end of the 12 months, although you do not need to renew the visa, you do need to renew the multiple re-entry permit since that only lasts for 12 months. I always recommend getting a multiple re-entry permit even if you are not planning more than one trip per year. You never know when you might need to exit a second time. Getting another single re-entry permit is just time-consuming

[passinthenight]

20 hours ago, Guest InBangkok said:

 I always recommend getting a multiple re-entry permit even if you are not planning more than one trip per year. You never know when you might need to exit a second time. Getting another single re-entry permit is just time-consuming

 

 Thanks for the tip...... It's better to have it up your sleeve, just in case.

[inbody123]

 

New Contract Controls Introduced for Residential Property Leasing Businesses in Thailand

Section 35 bis of the Consumer Protection Act B.E. 2522 (1979) grants the Contract Committee of the Consumer Protection Board the power to designate “contract-controlled businesses,” in order to control the contents of written contracts between certain businesses and their consumers in the course of sales or services. Designation as a contract-controlled business is intended to ensure that contracts contain necessary terms and conditions and to prevent consumers from being unreasonably disadvantaged by unfair contract terms.

On February 12, 2017, the Contract Committee used that power to issue “Notification of the Contract Committee Re: The Stipulation of Residential Property Leasing as a Contract-Controlled Business B.E. 2561 (2018)”, which was published in the Government Gazette on February 16, 2018. As a result, residential property leasing will be deemed a contract-controlled business as of May 1, 2018.

The Notification defines a “residential property leasing business” as a business that leases (or subleases) five units of property or more to individual lessees, for residential purposes, in exchange for a fee collected by the business operator, regardless of whether or not the units are in the same building. Property is defined to include any accommodation, house, condominium unit, apartment, or other kind of residential property leased for residential purposes, excluding dormitories and hotels which are regulated under a separate regime.

The Notification imposes the following requirements:

1. Residential lease agreements must include a version in Thai and must contain the following details:

a) Name and address of the business operator and its authorized person;

b) Name and address of the lessee;

c) Name and location of the property;

d) Details of the property’s physical condition, including any items and equipment in the property;

e) Term of the lease specifying its commencement date and expiration date;

f) Rental fee rates and due dates for payment;

g) Public utility fee rates and due dates for payment;

h) Service fee rates, which must be reasonable and at the actual cost paid for the services, and due dates for payment;

i) Other fees and expenses (if any), which must be reasonable and at the actual cost paid, and due dates for payment; and

j) Amount of security deposit.

2. Invoices for the fees in items (f)-(i) above must be sent to the lessee at least seven days before their due dates, and the lessee will have the right to check information related to the payments shown in the invoices.

3. Details of the physical condition of the property and equipment (if any), inspected and acknowledged by the lessee, must be attached to the lease agreement, and a duplicate must be delivered to the lessee.

4. The security deposit must be immediately returned to the lessee at the end of the agreement, unless the business operator has to investigate any damage to ascertain whether or not it is the responsibility of the lessee. If the lessee is found not to have caused such damage, the security deposit must be returned within seven days from the end of the agreement and the business operator retaking possession of the property. The business operator is also responsible for any expenses incurred in returning the security deposit to the lessee.

5. The lessee has the right to terminate the lease agreement early provided that at least 30 days’ advance written notice is given to the business operator.

6. Any material breach for which the business operator can terminate the agreement must be clearly written in red, bold, or italic font. The business operator can only terminate the agreement if written notice has been given to the lessee to rectify the breach within 30 days of receipt and the lessee fails to do so.

7. The agreement must be made in duplicate, one of which must be given to the lessee immediately upon execution.

Under section 35 ter of the Consumer Protection Act, any residential lease agreement which does not contain the required terms above shall be interpreted to include them as implied terms.

Residential lease agreements must not contain:

1. Any waiver or limitation of the business operator’s liability from its breach of agreement or wrongful acts;

2. Any advance rental fee equivalent to more than one-month’s rent;

3. Any term allowing the business operator to change the rental fees, public utilities fees, service fees, or any other expenses before the end of the agreement;

4. Any security deposit of more than one-month’s rental fee;

5. Any term allowing the business operator to confiscate the security deposit or advance rental fee;

6. Any term allowing the business operator or its representatives to inspect the property without prior notice;

7. Any stipulation of electricity and water supply fees exceeding the rates specified by the relevant authorities;

8. Any term allowing the business operator to prevent or obstruct the lessee’s access to the property to seize or remove the lessee’s belongings if the lessee defaults on rental fees or other expenses related to the lease of the property;

9. Any term allowing the business operator to request any fee or expense for renewing the lease;

10. Any term allowing the business operator to terminate the agreement early other than for a material breach of the lease agreement by the lessee;

11. Any term making the lessee liable for damages incurred due to ordinary wear and tear from usage of the property’s contents and equipment;

12. Any term making the lessee liable for damage to the property, contents, and equipment that was not the lessee’s fault and in force majeure situations; and

13. Any term making the lessee liable for defects to the property, contents, and equipment incurred due to ordinary wear and tear through usage.

Under section 35 quarter of the Consumer Protection Act, a residential lease agreement that includes any of the prohibited terms above shall be interpreted as not including them.

Any business operator who fails to meet the above requirements may be subject to imprisonment not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding THB 100,000 (section 57 of the Consumer Protection Act).

Edited February 28, 2018 by inbody123

[passinthenight]

I had no idea that they had consumer protection in Thailand.

I just thought that you just had to suck it up when they have their way with you.

[Guest InBangkok]

The point to note about the new residential controls spelled out in full detail above is that they apply ONLY to those who rent out 5 or more properties. The vast majority of these will be the property developers themselves who usually hold back some apartments in new condos for later sale at what they hope will be a higher price. In the interim, they rent them. Very few individuals will rent out more than 1 or 2 units. It will not be difficult to find out if the owner of the apartment you are thinking of renting rents more than that.

 

Yes there is consumer protection legislation in Thailand. But as passinthenight suggests, no foreigner should consider relying on it! 

[lonelyglobe]

Came across this informative website by a UK national who have already settled down in Thailand, lots of useful, detailed info and perks like uber offer etc...  

[passinthenight]

Thanks for the info on renting Guest inBangkok.

 

 And lonelyglobe for introducing a new website I'd never come across before.

 

 What are peoples experiences with Songkran?

I've been fortunate enough not to be in Thailand when it has been on.

Getting drenched whilst out and about doesn't sound like too much fun.

[inbody123]

4 weeks to Retirement and Moving to Bangkok.

 

Loads of unexpected costs prop up : -  

 

- Insurance Costs  Went up ,

- New passport ( current one expire in June 2019 and has been ask by Agent 

to renew)

- IR21 has to be filed and TAX paid ( I am not Singaporean)

- Study Fees went up, should have paid LAST year !

 

Will keep posting here for those keen to settle down in Bangkok. 

[Guest InBangkok]

On 3/24/2018 at 1:53 PM, passinthenight said:

What are peoples experiences with Songkran?

I had been in Bangkok several times during Songkran before I moved here. Then, and for a few years thereafter, I found Songkran quite fun, especially with a bunch of friends. It was when water guns became monsters and mugs of water huge buckets that the whole affair was killed for me - or maybe I just had had my fill! Since then I have gone to the supermarket the day before, stocked up with enough food and drink to cover 5 or 6 days, and then gone into hibernation, spending some days by the pool and others reading and watching DVDs.

 

Please note that this year there are major restrictions on where water can be splashed. The upper part of Silom is now a no-no, as is Silom Soi 4. The latter is a great shame as I always found it the most fun. I suspect Babylon is one place where visitors can have a load of fun, especially at its Songkran foam parties. Similarly for the younger generations, the G Circuit parties are fun.

[passinthenight]

On 04/04/2018 at 12:27 PM, Guest InBangkok said:

I had been in Bangkok several times during Songkran before I moved here. Then, and for a few years thereafter, I found Songkran quite fun, especially with a bunch of friends. It was when water guns became monsters and mugs of water huge buckets that the whole affair was killed for me - or maybe I just had had my fill! Since then I have gone to the supermarket the day before, stocked up with enough food and drink to cover 5 or 6 days, and then gone into hibernation, spending some days by the pool and others reading and watching DVDs.

 

Please note that this year there are major restrictions on where water can be splashed. The upper part of Silom is now a no-no, as is Silom Soi 4. The latter is a great shame as I always found it the most fun. I suspect Babylon is one place where visitors can have a load of fun, especially at its Songkran foam parties. Similarly for the younger generations, the G Circuit parties are fun.

 

 Thanks, that's exactly how I thought it would be like.

 

 I have a pair of transition glasses and a nice smart phone and i'd hate to lose them because of someone thinking it was fun to drown me in a bucket of water.

I'm sure the youngsters have a real blast but unfortunately for me........ I'm way past that age.

[lonelyglobe]

包括照顾外国退休者 泰国要打造“养老天堂”

2018年4月13日 星期五 03:30 AM来自/新加坡新加坡›联合早报

 

（曼谷路透电）尽管泰国人口老龄化带来各种担忧，但发展商却看到商机，开始专注于养老房地产的开发投资，不只要照顾泰国老人的晚年生活，更要将泰国打造为外国人的“养老天堂”。

根据世界银行的数据，泰国人口老龄化的速度在东南亚居于前列，与中国不相上下，预计到了2040年，泰国老年人口将在东亚发展国家居首；目前泰国拥有750万名65岁或以上的老人，估计到了2040年，老人人数将达1700万人，占总人口的超过四分之一。 泰国人口老龄化速度加快，部分原因是医疗保健发达延长了人们的寿命，但更大的原因在于生育率低。根据统计，泰国在1960年的每个妇女平均生育六个孩子以上，但到了2015年，剧降至1.5个孩子。

 

过去，泰国家庭都数代同堂，年长者都一直由子孙照顾，但随着人口变化及越来越多人从乡下搬到城市，如今数代同堂已经不切实际。房地产开发商就瞄准这一点，纷纷推出老人公寓项目。

房地产开发商SC Asset Cor.投入3.5亿美元开发高档老人公寓，公寓设备包括吸震地板和轮椅通道。该公司营销主管纳塔吉说，该公司正在研究其他地区的退休公寓和社区，目前也在考虑是否要与当地私营医院合作，打造一个退休村。泰国医疗服务优质高效，而且价格相对便宜。作为世界上最著名的医疗旅游中心之一，泰国以全民医保为傲，而这优质护理服务已经融入到了许多高级住宅配套服务中。吞武里医疗集团投资5亿美元在曼谷郊外打造一座“医疗城市”——金幸福村。该集团主席文瓦信说：“我们会确保老人家从醒着的那一刻直到他们睡着的那一刻，都受到良好照顾。”

 

这座医疗城市不只是针对泰国老人，更瞄准了外国退休者；吞武里医疗集团希望将至少20%的公寓售予外国人。文瓦信说，目前有一些中国和日本人对这个项目感兴趣。

该集团首期推出约500个公寓单位，每个单位售价约13万美元，以及每月附加费介于7000泰铢至8000泰铢（约290新元至336新元），主要提供膳食、健身课程及出游。

由于价格低廉，加上气候热带和医疗水平先进，泰国早已成为世界最佳退休养老胜地之一。在泰北清迈一家退休村的收费（不包括药费）每月约1500美元。

根据泰国移民局的数据，2017年申请退休签证的50岁以上外国退休者多达7万3000人，比2013年的4万人多了近一倍。

 

Just hope the thai government don't increase the minimum security deposit due to the popularity of this retirement scheme

[inbody123]

18 hours ago, lonelyglobe said:

包括照顾外国退休者 泰国要打造“养老天堂”

2018年4月13日 星期五 03:30 AM来自/新加坡新加坡›联合早报

 

（曼谷路透电）尽管泰国人口老龄化带来各种担忧，但发展商却看到商机，开始专注于养老房地产的开发投资，不只要照顾泰国老人的晚年生活，更要将泰国打造为外国人的“养老天堂”。

根据世界银行的数据，泰国人口老龄化的速度在东南亚居于前列，与中国不相上下，预计到了2040年，泰国老年人口将在东亚发展国家居首；目前泰国拥有750万名65岁或以上的老人，估计到了2040年，老人人数将达1700万人，占总人口的超过四分之一。 泰国人口老龄化速度加快，部分原因是医疗保健发达延长了人们的寿命，但更大的原因在于生育率低。根据统计，泰国在1960年的每个妇女平均生育六个孩子以上，但到了2015年，剧降至1.5个孩子。

 

过去，泰国家庭都数代同堂，年长者都一直由子孙照顾，但随着人口变化及越来越多人从乡下搬到城市，如今数代同堂已经不切实际。房地产开发商就瞄准这一点，纷纷推出老人公寓项目。

房地产开发商SC Asset Cor.投入3.5亿美元开发高档老人公寓，公寓设备包括吸震地板和轮椅通道。该公司营销主管纳塔吉说，该公司正在研究其他地区的退休公寓和社区，目前也在考虑是否要与当地私营医院合作，打造一个退休村。泰国医疗服务优质高效，而且价格相对便宜。作为世界上最著名的医疗旅游中心之一，泰国以全民医保为傲，而这优质护理服务已经融入到了许多高级住宅配套服务中。吞武里医疗集团投资5亿美元在曼谷郊外打造一座“医疗城市”——金幸福村。该集团主席文瓦信说：“我们会确保老人家从醒着的那一刻直到他们睡着的那一刻，都受到良好照顾。”

 

这座医疗城市不只是针对泰国老人，更瞄准了外国退休者；吞武里医疗集团希望将至少20%的公寓售予外国人。文瓦信说，目前有一些中国和日本人对这个项目感兴趣。

该集团首期推出约500个公寓单位，每个单位售价约13万美元，以及每月附加费介于7000泰铢至8000泰铢（约290新元至336新元），主要提供膳食、健身课程及出游。

由于价格低廉，加上气候热带和医疗水平先进，泰国早已成为世界最佳退休养老胜地之一。在泰北清迈一家退休村的收费（不包括药费）每月约1500美元。

根据泰国移民局的数据，2017年申请退休签证的50岁以上外国退休者多达7万3000人，比2013年的4万人多了近一倍。

 

Just hope the thai government don't increase the minimum security deposit due to the popularity of this retirement scheme

Translate  

[lonelyglobe]

The article talks about how thailand is becoming a retirement paradise for local and oversea, from 40000 retirement visa application in 2013 to 73000 in 2017. More retirement villages will be developed by investor to better take care of the needs of the old folks.

[Latte]

On 4/4/2018 at 9:11 AM, inbody123 said:

4 weeks to Retirement and Moving to Bangkok.

 

Loads of unexpected costs prop up : -  

 

- Insurance Costs  Went up ,

- New passport ( current one expire in June 2019 and has been ask by Agent 

to renew)

- IR21 has to be filed and TAX paid ( I am not Singaporean)

- Study Fees went up, should have paid LAST year !

 

Will keep posting here for those keen to settle down in Bangkok. 

 

Any update from BKK?

 

P/S: Think its better to have this thread in Members Lounge.

Edited May 20, 2018 by Latte