Retirement in Thailand within 3-4 years

@paddelia1

Coming here and picking a place is the best thing to do now. Within 3 years things like requirements can slightly change, so no need to focus on them. Just understand that if the wife is US as well than owning property is not easy and renting might be the option....

Where you live is your choice and choice is abundant.

Urban, rural, touristic, local, coastal, upcountry.... all have their own pros and cons

@paddelia1

I am Thai, we would like you to consider​ Bangkok or East of Thailand such as Chon Buri province, Chachoengsao ​province. or Chanthaburi province.

I have spent some time in Krabi and I don't think it would be a good place to retire. It can be extremely hot and it's not easy to get around unless you have your own car. I also think you could be bored very quickly.

Have you considered Hua Hin? It is nearer to Bangkok, not so hot and it has a significant expat community.

     My wife and I are also U.S. citizens. We will be retiring to Hua Hin in 1-1/2 years. Just stayed there two weeks and loved it. Allow me to straighten out the O-A visa requirements, it's either 800,000 bhat in Thai bank for 2 months prior to applying for the "A" part of the O-A visa - or- proof of adequate retirement income, or a combination of the two to equal the required amount. The only problem is the official letter from your government department has to have a raised seal on it and the Social Security doesn't do that any longer (from what I've read. However, if you go the route of 800,000 bhat in the Thai bank and have social security direct deposit your check to the Thai bank, you can remove the 800,000 after 12 months of showing the direct deposits.

Everybody's going to have an opinion, and there's no guarantee any two people can agree on everything, but of the places I've been to Bangkok was my favorite, Pattaya next, and my least favorite was Phuket -- though I will say there's things to love about every place.

I'm trying out the area around Khao Yai, North East of Bangkok. I'm hoping I love it there because I want to find a place to settle down for my own retirement. 

@cgiles49

Both persons have to pass the requirements on income and/or bank balance.

You can normally take the cash out after 3 months and has to be in 2 months before application and they are pretty anal about that.

Further requirements, but not all

Proof of overseas income

If you receive income from outside of Thailand, you may need to provide paperwork such as social security payments or pension statements

Embassy letter

Retirees may need a letter from their home country's embassy in Thailand that attests to their income

Income certificate

For a Non-Immigrant Visa O-A (Long Stay), you may need an original income certificate that shows a monthly income of at least 65,000 Baht

Certificate of annual income

For a Non-O-X Visa, you may need a certificate of annual income that shows an amount of at least 1.2 million Baht per year

It is all pretty straight forward but embassy has ALL relevant information and immigration here as well. Lists available and extension is not a headache, however if you don't meet the requirements, and this is mostly financial, than you are in for a hard and/or costly time

Welcome to paradise

  My wife and I are also U.S. citizens. We will be retiring to Hua Hin in 1-1/2 years. Just stayed there two weeks and loved it. - @cgiles49

Good evening,

2 weeks of idyllic vacation can also give a false idea of ​​life all year round. You also have to imagine a long rainy season by the sea, the hottest season, the loss of usual landmarks, possible communication issues, the understanding needed to adapt to the local culture (and cuisine), and the Thai state of mind, without forgetting as you already know the visa constraints, as well as the new income tax rules that will apply from next year for 2024 income. The other side of the postcard, so to speak.

I always advise candidates for expatriation to spend a few months here before making their decision.

@Goodmorningthailand

You seem pretty unhappy here??😉

@Goodmorningthailand
You seem pretty unhappy here??😉 - @martinoo2002

Thank you for your concern about my situation, but I feel quite fine in Thailand, and I hope futur expatriates will be too. Compared to farang families, my case is different, my wife being Thai and our children dual nationals.

In fact, it's a simple question of common sense. An expatriation has to be deeply prepared, in advance, and needs to weigh the pros and cons very seriously. Basic advice, actually.

As a Frenchman, I often see a large number of my compatriots who also idealize this country after having spent a few weeks of vacation there or after having seen a television documentary. No paradise on earth, actually.

@Goodmorningthailand

1000% (Thousand) correct and this is not only about Frenchman, but all nationalities.

And preparation is and will always be 50% of your success!!!

I too have a Thai family, it has its advantages but sometimes makes things more complex as well....😀