Moving to Thailand, any help appreciated!

[Dougy Stu]

Hi there any help on this no matter how big or small would be appreciated. My father has sold up and cut his ties in the UK. He is planning on getting a bus to Heathrow and hopping on a plane to Thailand with the view of living on his pension in Chang Mai. He has got a small bag packed and a mobile phone but that is about as far as his plans go, I admire his sense of adventure but I must say I am a little worried about him.
If the is anyone out there that has done it or just about to do it and maybe wants a travelling companion or even anyone already in Thailand (Chang Mai) that he could meet up with for a drink and a chat I think would be a great help.

Any advice, do's, don't and and pitfalls would also be great.

Again any advise no matter how small that I could pass on to him.

Thanks in Advance Troy.

[oddball]

Originally Posted by Dougy Stu

Hi there any help on this no matter how big or small would be appreciated. My father has sold up and cut his ties in the UK. He is planning on getting a bus to Heathrow and hopping on a plane to Thailand with the view of living on his pension in Chang Mai. He has got a small bag packed and a mobile phone but that is about as far as his plans go, I admire his sense of adventure but I must say I am a little worried about him.
If the is anyone out there that has done it or just about to do it and maybe wants a travelling companion or even anyone already in Thailand (Chang Mai) that he could meet up with for a drink and a chat I think would be a great help.

Any advice, do's, don't and and pitfalls would also be great.

Again any advise no matter how small that I could pass on to him.

Thanks in Advance Troy.

Unless he has checked into the many possible pit falls concerning visas and all the requirements needed to obtain what is needed , he could be in for a rough ride , Thailand can be a fantastic place for an older gentleman to live , but , it could easily drain him of all his resources in a short frame of time .He would be well advised to read up on a few forums for what to expect , that being said , i wish him health and happiness in one of the best places he could find it , if he keeps his head screwed on .

[synthia]

He will have no trouble finding others who have done the same things, as Chiang Mai is swarming with them.

He does need to read through this forum and some others, and be aware that the beautiful young thing that is madly in love with him is really mainly fond of his wallet.

He needs to check out the visa situation, because the old 'resident tourist' system of making monthly visa runs to Myanmar is pretty much dead. I will only keep him in the country for a short period. After three admissions of 30 days each (and since the in and out day counts as the end of one 90 days and the beginning of another, this gives him 88 days), then he must stay out of the country for 90 days or apply for a two month visa, which may or may not be granted, and which may or may no get him back into the country.

[Dougy Stu]

Thats for your replies guys, I will pass them on. Troy

[kingwilly]

Originally Posted by Dougy Stu

. My father has sold up and cut his ties in the UK. He has got a small bag packed and a mobile phone but that is about as far as his plans go,

great planning!

expect to see another news item of farangs jumping to their death in pattaya

[synthia]

That's hardly helpful. Just because he hasn't done any more planning, doesn't mean he won't. And he can come to visit and change his mind. I did.

[wolfmisc]

HiTroy,
dont know how old your father is, but I suppose over 55. From this age on it is possible to get a non-immigrant visa O. To receive it you just have to prove an income of 65000 Baht per month (approx. 1000 pounds) or 800000 Baht on a bank account here. The visa is issued for 1 year and after that you can get a new one. In my case I have to leave the Kingdom every 3 months to get a new stamp in the passport. That can be just crossing the border for 1 hour and come back.
Cost of living is quite low. Renting a house in Chiang Mai, Pattaya or Hua Hin will come up to 5000-15000 Baht per month. Eating, drinking etc. another 5000 to 10000, if you are not entertaining the girls too much or have one who is sucking your money. So there is still enough stuff for shopping, partying or traveling.
So let your dad come over here. Especially in Chiang Mai are plenty of English guys to be happy to see him.

[oddball]

[quote=wolfmisc;27595]HiTroy,
dont know how old your father is, but I suppose over 55. From this age on it is possible to get a non-immigrant visa O. To receive it you just have to prove an income of 65000 Baht per month (approx. 1000 pounds) or 800000 Baht on a bank account here. The visa is issued for 1 year and after that you can get a new one. In my case I have to leave the Kingdom every 3 months to get a new stamp in the passport. That can be just crossing the border for 1 hour and come back.
Cost of living is quite low. Renting a house in Chiang Mai, Pattaya or Hua Hin will come up to 5000-15000 Baht per month. Eating, drinking etc. another 5000 to 10000, if you are not entertaining the girls too much or have one who is sucking your money. So there is still enough stuff for shopping, partying or traveling.
So let your dad come over here. Especially in Chiang Mai are plenty of English guys to be happy to see him.[/QUOTE
Let him come and peruse the situation , but , all is not roses and candle lit dinners , he needs to look at the down side which has often happened to others , often for no fault of thier own , many do not find it as easy or convenient as posted , Thailand is not realy as co-operative as it may seem , please just be forewarned . Colin

[wolfmisc]

Hi Colin,
nowhere in the world its all roses and lit candles.
But most problems you face in Thailand are if you work or open a business here.
In case you just spend your retirement money its normally going smoothly.
I should know because I m doing exactly this for 8 years now.

[oddball]

Originally Posted by wolfmisc

Hi Colin,
nowhere in the world its all roses and lit candles.
But most problems you face in Thailand are if you work or open a business here.
In case you just spend your retirement money its normally going smoothly.
I should know because I m doing exactly this for 8 years now.

Absolutely correct , i did it for 7 years , but saw and heard what can happen if you step out of line , even inadvertantly due to a lady-friends shinanagins , Thai are always right and the Falang takes the blame . Just like to warn newbies of the downside so that they go prepared instead of finding out the hard way . Colin .