It is not a great time for many retirees living in Thailand as new visa rules are set to be introduced. Rules which I agree with however this doesn’t change the fact I still feel desperately sorry for them.
Thailand has clear rules for being a retiree and one of those was to show 800,000 baht in your bank account upon annual renewal of your retiree visa. Many do not have that money and so have been borrowing it for the renewal. Effectively playing the system. This is all set to stop when rules are introduced whereby you must always be able to show 400,000 baht in your bank (or show that you bring 65,000 baht a month into the country).
I am not trying to be a killjoy here but Thailand have these rules for a reason. As a guest to the country you must be able to show you can pay your way, especially when it comes to cost health care bills.
Mandatory Expat Health Insurance would futher turn the screw
In December 2018, A key Thailand committee met to discuss Thailand’s immigration law and recommended that all foreigners who live here on one-year Non-Immigrant visas should provide evidence that they have adequate health insurance coverage in place before a new or visa extension is granted.
It seems only a matter of time until this rule is introduced and that could spell more disaster for elderly retirees not just unable to pay for health insurance but unable – full stop – to qualify for most insurance.
Any rule introductions will bring pain in the transition
Unfortunately, although I am fully supportive of these new measures, after all a country is perfectly entitled to protect itself from financial burdens – the moves will all come at
Where does that leave an 80 year old retiree who is living here in Thailand with his Thai wife of 30 years and couple of kids – Will he be forced to leave them, with no chance he can afford to migrate them back to his homeland? This will not be an isolated case it will be fairly extensive.
In a poll conducted on Thaivisa.com, as many as 50% of retired expats say they will be forced to leave, and I see no reason to see why
It may not be long before we start seeing the retired expat exodus in Thailand.
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After the age of 70 you can’t get health insurence………………
I lived as an expat in Thailand for the past 10 years. I am moving out for good this Summer due to all the problems with Thai immigration. They keep changing the rules and never for the better. I’m done with it, color me gone.
I do agree with your article, and see your logic . I do believe that the Thai Authorities are being short sighted .
You are using Farang logic to a Thai problem . What do they care about ex pats not being able to pay for their medical expenses when they have a big problem with uninsured Thais walking and driving around . Hugely outnumbering the cost that Ex pats would have
If , which I agree , there will be an exodus of ex pats leaning the land of smiles . There will be an huge loss of Monet coming into the Thai economy. Especially when they are struggling getting more tourists
It will be interesting to see and also sad if you are right
You mis-state the new regulations. You can put 800,000 baht in a Thai bank, leave it for 5 months and, with Immigration’s permission, withdraw 50%. You must bring the balance up to 800,000 two months prior to your visa renewal OR you can have 65,000/month deposited in a Thai bank monthly to meet the financial obligations. As to the healthcare rule I think it’s BS. I can call upon over 100,000 U$D in credit if necessary and with my VA benefits can return to the US in the event of catastrophic illness. As you are not allowed to withdraw any of the 800,000/400,000 how would you use it to pay for anything. AT least with the 65,000 baht option you can, I assume, use the funds to support your lifestyle.