Best way to live in Thailand at 42 years of age without work

[USArmy_Veteran]

Gary,
I sent a PM as the options I proposed are quite long and involved.
Carl

[old-timer]

OT retired in Udon in my late 30's.I had my house built, bought a shop for the Mrs that kept her busy and even with the wife and three kids I couldn't handle it (retirement). I was just too bored. I did the gym, fishing, painted the house every month, spent fortunes on orchids and tended to them, messed around buying up land plots infilling then building boundary walls and developing them into housing plots, read every book, watched every movie, and spent a lot of time out in the evenings as well as doing a lot more else. But i still couldn't find enough to do. So after a few years I went back to work. You need to be either very laid back and I would suggest nearer to retirement age before you decide to take the easy life in UT. However, it does suit some young guys that have retired in Udon. It depends on what kind of person you are and what lights your fire.

OT.....................

[2000VIPERGTS]

Thanks guys for the responses. Kuhndahm and USArmy_Veteran I thank you for the PMs and the hand. OT I would get involved with something-it is my nature as a type A guy. I am a big charity guy and I can utilize my pea brain to do some good things in Thailand and organize things to help the country. GOD knows, in the USA I tried to help the government and I might as well talk to one of my cats-lol. That said, a few of you saw my Thai feelings thread where I broke up with my finacee' and anyhow we are back together and this thread is now moot, but I learned a LOT and thanks for taking the time to post. I am considering buying just a decent house, nothing HUGE or super fancy, but maybe 3M Bht in the country and then throw a few bucks in it and at the worst have it as a second house. Compared to New Jersey in the US where I live, 1M Bht here gets you into the ghetto-lol. There are a lot of different options, but I know I want to grow some of my own food in a garden and also be within 30 minutes or so of a supermarket. The outside market in NamSom is really bad, but heading the other direction East in Banchaing (spelling?) it is pretty reasonable for me to buy food. Anyhow, many thanks again guys for the input but setting things up now in place for two palces to live shortly, Thailand being a vacation spot to start I think. TY, Gary

[pompui]

How can I move there on the visa not being 50?

As I see it you basically have 5 visa options:

1. Business: Risky
2. Education: limited- 2, 3 years maybe.
3. Retirement: you don't qualify
4. In support of (commonly referred to as marriage): not your preference
5. Tourist Visa: not viable for long term

It would seem that you're only viable option would be a business visa, unless you decide to marry. Perhaps you should focus on a business visa, but before jumping into it come here on a series of tourist visas or an education visa and get a feel of things. Who knows you may end up finding "the one" and end up on a marriage visa.

PapaG is the man in the know,however Thai Law does not allow him to apply for a Married Visa with his existing partner,needs to marry outside of Thailand,so a Business Visa looks his best bet,otherwise are continual triple entry tourist visas allowed over the next 8 years,applied for back in the US each time for visiting here not done in neighbouring countries,until the retirement visa is available?

[pienmash]

I looked into Thai law ref getting married to a Thai national looked really simple no real probs just had to show a paper from the uk to prove i was free to marry ..... so i did it twice and found out its just as easy to get divorced as well ., my point being what Thai law doesnt allow some one to get married and / or apply for a visa on the basis of this marrage thats a new one on me.