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13a Annual Report 2020

Discussion in 'Expat Section' started by kelpguy, Jan 20, 2020.

  1. tuba-coma

    tuba-coma DI Forum Adept Showcase Reviewer

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    omg, Thailand getting rid off the middle class and maybe specially the "low class" - welcome to the Philippines ...
     
  2. djfinn6230

    djfinn6230 DI Senior Member

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    It’s all relative. In the Philippines a USD $850 monthly SS check is a lower class, almost impossible to live on there but similar to the earnings of a police chief in the provinces middle or upper middle class). It appears that Thailand requires proof if earnings of at least 50000 baht or maybe $1400 per month plus have 800000 baht on deposit or maybe $2500. This was not required before and seems to rule out a lot of US retirees now who will simply not be able to renew their annual visas in Thailand. In the Phils, none of that is required. If you want, You can simply extend your tourist visa indefinitely and leave the country every 3 years and start the cycle again or go 13a or SRRV which is low costs in many cases. Basically it “seems” the phils appreciates regular western foreigners but Thailand wants only the high end now. That is according to many vloggers. Sure, there is bureaucracy here that often changes its rules but that has always been the case and is not different anywhere else imho.


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  3. Chriscraft

    Chriscraft DI Member

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    The situation in Thailand is the reason for me to hit The Phil's instead. The military government are implementing ridiculous rules for expats wanting to retire in the land of smiles. I just cant see the reason for doing so though.

    1. The THB 800.000 in a Thai bank (or the eqvivalent in annual income) has been there for a long time. But the Thai currency are among the strongest in the world right now even to the USD. So it is getting expensive. But not only that, many banks in Thailand has started to refuse foreigners to open an account with them to put their money in. Thai law says you need to show a local address and a rental contract of the property to get a bank account. Some landlords wont let out their houses unless you have a long term visa. One of several cases of a "catch 22"!

    2. Thai government have implemented a rule that foreigners must have an approved (by the government) health insurance. That means another THB 40-50.000 annually. The major problem there is that the insurance will only be valid in the hospitals ran by the state. Meaning if you need more care than just bandaging minor injuries they don't have the resources to accomodate you.

    3. The TM30-form is possibly the worst obstacle! Originally this was something that landlords needed to fill in when they had Burmese construction workers living on their premises. Previously the Burmese could get in and out of Thailand without any particular Visa restrictions. But the government wanted to keep track of them anyhow so they needed landlords to report who they hosted on a regular basis. But now they are using the form for western expats too. Meaning we cannot leave the "Muang" (County) unless reporting our whereabouts to immigration and our landlord without getting fined. This have caused a massive paperwork and endless days in Immigration.
     
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  4. djfinn6230

    djfinn6230 DI Senior Member

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    Correction: I meant to say in the US, $850 is a lower class income, almost impossible to live on. In the Phils $850 is way above the income of most citizens but then again, they have much lower living costs since they expect less than many Westerners and they consume a much cheaper diet.


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