Some alternatives if Thai visas become too problematical

Post by **arjay** » February 4, 2008, 11:06 pm

Bob, there's a few thought provoking ideas on this thread from the British Expats Forum:-

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthre ... 096&page=2

It covers PI's - Cebu, Toledo and San Fernando, La Union, Luzon, as well as Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia.

Post by **arjay** » February 5, 2008, 10:05 am

Bob Helm wrote:Yeah, thanks RJ.... a bit off subject (& I am sorry Mods) but Cambodia or Vietnam are my current favourites. Laos sort of rules itself out as I am not happy about their cohabitation laws & I don't want to go to any country where I have to deliberately flout their requirements......just wish I knew what those were in Thailand..... Sad

I've pasted this from the other (off-topic thread).

I note your comments about Cambodia and Vietnam. As I understand it, Cambodia is less developed than Thailand, and Vietnam has greater restrictions/prejudices about co-habiting.

I was thinking more about the Philippines as in Cebu, or Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Both countries have more favourable visa requirements than Thailand.

Post by **BobHelm** » February 5, 2008, 11:06 am

Thanks RJ - good idea...

Yes agree Cambodia is far less developed than Thailand but maybe that is a good thing

The political situation is also a bit 'iffy' there (as it has been for a longtime

) But, it is certainly easy to get a visa & to own property.
I didn't know about the prejudices/restrictions in Vietnam, something to investigate for certain.
I really would prefer to live in a Buddhist country rather than Muslim one. I really cannot see the Islamic/Western antagonism doing anything but increasing, so don't want to get stuck in the middle of something not of my own making.
Sort of limits my options I guess

Post by **Yossarian** » February 5, 2008, 11:15 am

Another expat turned me on to Malaysia as a good alternative to Thailand. It is more developed than Thailand (and perhaps a bit more expensive as well.) They have a program called "Malaysia My Second Home" (MM2H). Here's the link: http://www.mm2h.gov.my/ Basically, if you meet the criteria, you will receive a ten (yes, 10) year visa. You can purchase a house valued at over RM 250,000. It is open to people of all ages and you can bring the wife and kids along.

I have also liked Brazil in the past, though it's about 1,000 times more dangerous there.

Post by **aznyron** » February 5, 2008, 11:29 am

requirement for Malaysia is 300;000.00 RM how much is that in USD to many zeros for me to figure

Post by **arjay** » February 5, 2008, 11:36 am

In a couple of months time I hope to be doing a two centre holiday/survey which will include Kota Kinabalu (Sabah, Malaysia), and also Cebu in the PI's. So I will do a report after (if

) I return.

I did previously research the MM2H scheme, though in the context of living in Penang, and decided against it. Kota Kinabalu in Sabah is more of a scenic and less developed location, so will see what that looks like.

I suspect Cebu City itself will be too much of a busy city, (though OK for nightlife) though I understand there are many quieter towns and beach locations around Cebu island, as long as one avoids Mactan island.

Post by **BobHelm** » February 5, 2008, 11:54 am

Seems like a good program. Sadly the 1,600 GBP a month pension requirement is a little rich for my purse....

At least all the requirements & benefits are clearly set out

Post by **BobHelm** » February 5, 2008, 11:56 am

Ron, nearly 93,000 USD at todays rate...

Post by **BKKSTAN** » February 5, 2008, 12:01 pm

Does anyone know an expat that has moved to any of these countries with his Thai wife and kids?

I 'm wondering about the acceptance of the Thais into their society!

I'm thinking more about the P.I.'s.

Post by **arjay** » February 5, 2008, 12:36 pm

My understanding re the MM2H was that it had to be a monthly Gov't pension of RM 10K OR a Fixed Deposit of RM 150K, that could be drawn down to RM90K after 1 year to buy your property. AND that you then had to show that you had at least RM350K (ideally RM500K) in other liquid assets elsewhere such as in your home country.

See this previous thread:

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/v ... 4408#74408

This is the relevant extract from the above OP:

What is worth noting is that the MM2H Visa scheme is available to people over 50, putting RM 150K in a Malaysian bank account, and demonstrating that you have at least another RM 350K+ cash somewhere else. You can then get a 10 year Visa (multiple exit and re-entry) - you don't need to buy property there if you don't want to. You don't even have to stay there, if you don't want to. You could rent, live away and/or just visit from time to time, whatever!

.

Post by **arjay** » February 5, 2008, 1:22 pm

In terms of Thais living in the PI's I am seeking further input from my sources on that one!!

I guess they would be fine with the climate, but not so happy about the lack of Somtam and spicy food and the tendency towards American/Fast Food.

They would no doubt have to have visas, as we would, but which I understand would be more readily and easily extendable there than here.

An alternative (from our perspective) of course, would be to have a ship in each port!!

Post by **jingjai** » February 5, 2008, 3:14 pm

Info on the PI here: http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/index.html

I have friends living in the PI, Vietnam and Cambodia. All are happy with their decisions.

Post by **BKKSTAN** » February 5, 2008, 3:17 pm

My main interests are social acceptance for the family being Thai and security.Most of my staff in America were from P.I.,but they were Americanized and we socialized evenly!I would have asked,but I wasn't planning on Marriage when I originally left,plus I wasn't considering moving to there country either!

Post by **aznyron** » February 5, 2008, 4:11 pm

Bob thank you for the calculation I understand were your coming from when you say 1600 pounds for retirement that close to 3200 usd which is also more than I get
I think this year will be my last since thing do not look very promising for me & my wife
now all I need to get her a visa to USA and I am gone give every thing to her family sell my truck if I can and adios amigos Texas here I come LOL (el/paso) 1 bedroom apt 400 usd the rest is elementry

Post by **arjay** » February 5, 2008, 5:32 pm

Aznyron, I believe that most people aim at fulfilling the Fixed Deposit requirement, not the pension income one.

Post by **Bump** » February 5, 2008, 7:39 pm

Well the Island of Leyte is another option, not Musleim at all. What the infratsructure is these days no idea been a long time since I have been there.

Cost of iiving I believe would be less the Cebu and Certainly Manilla.

At one time Tocolban wa a very nice City and people were certianly friendly. How they would reat to a Thai wife I have no idea. Although english is a second language there the local languages are prevalent daily.

My ex refuses to vist there and that is her home country says it's to dangerous. I don't know you know how wives can be, today I rode by a sugar truck and the wife freaked out, the load was goign to fall on us. Does happen but not everyday.

There is lots of talk about politcal unrest in the PI, but is that really that much different then most of the places that we are used to?

Tell yuo a finny story but true the other nihgt I wa dreaming that I wa having a conversation with a power Thai, in that conversation he said to me that I had no busines in Thailand. I didn't have an answer for that one woke me from a deep sleep:shock:

Been on my mind for days now

Post by **BobHelm** » February 5, 2008, 8:07 pm

Bump wrote: Tell yuo a finny story but true the other nihgt I wa dreaming that I wa having a conversation with a power Thai, in that conversation he said to me that I had no busines in Thailand. I didn't have an answer for that one woke me from a deep sleep:shock:

Are you sure it was a dream Ray???

Because that is surely the attitude from 'the powers that be' over the last two years. I would just like them to be honest & come straight out & say it as in your 'dream'. Otherwise get a set of rules together (like Malaysia) that were constant, firm & fair & understood by all - Falang & Immigration

Post by **Bump** » February 5, 2008, 8:16 pm

Well maybe the dream came about from what I have been seeing, but the other side if the coin is I really haven't seen an alternative. Two friends now have escaped to Texas and seem very happy.

The wife mentioned Mexico today, that would be just fine for the stomache, But, I can get all of that I want in Texas

It's just probably me but I am feeling less and less a part of my adopted home these days.

Post by **747man** » February 5, 2008, 9:22 pm

Bump wrote:Well maybe the dream came about from what I have been seeing, but the other side if the coin is I really haven't seen an alternative. Two friends now have escaped to Texas and seem very happy.

The wife mentioned Mexico today, that would be just fine for the stomache, But, I can get all of that I want in Texas

It's just probably me but I am feeling less and less a part of my adopted home these days.

I Agree with you,Bump I am feeling the same way lately,So it's NOT only you,I am just fed up with ALL the moving of The Goal Posts !!!

Post by **motasi** » February 5, 2008, 10:53 pm

I also agree with Bumb. One time, last year at immigration, I went in, after a long hot motorcycle ride, and asked for a 30 day extension. One of the employees there, looked at me like I was crazy, and told me no more extensions. I told him I had one before, while holding the copies in my hand. He said who gave you the extension? I said, you did. He snatches the papers from my hand. At that point, all I feel is this raging heat shooting through my vertebrae. All I could think about was wanting to split the guys sternum and wrap his rib cage around his ass.

I held my cool, let him read the documents he signed months before. He looks at me again, hands the papers back, and says sorry, but no extension, too many bad Farangs in Thailand. I then said, well, what about the good Farangs?

He then advised, just do a U-Turn, come back next month to cross into Vientiane, go to the Thai Embassy/Consulate, whatever, and get a new 60 day Visa.

I thought customer service in the States was bad, but the attitude I got was not cool. Maybe the guy had a bad day, year, or wife, daughter, or hopefully both, ran off with a Farang. This was just for a tourist visa at the time, as I hadn't decided if Thailand was for me just yet. I should of split his sternum, but I do remember a "Sorry". Damn! Texas, does sound nice at times. I hope this country can pull it together one day, but I doubt it will be soon. There's just too much ignorance at times.

Ignorance is supposed to be temporary, but here, it seems to manifests into stupidity more than, at least I think, should. Not sure. I guess LOS will be a developing country for several more decades, if that. Other than that I still like it here, but I always have to keep my future in the sights.