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What are the recommended visa options and health insurance advice for retiring in Thailand?

Visa Types Non-Immigrant Visa Retirement Visa Marriage Visa Health Insurance in Thailand Public Health System Private Health Insurance Expat Advice

May 3, 2023

a year ago

Paul **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all newbie here preparing for retirement to Thailand February 2024, married to a beautiful Thai lady and need a couple of questions from you all, 1st what visa do you recommend and thier requirements.

2nd private health insurance is it worth it can I use the public system and do you have any recommendations on a private health insurance provider 

Regards 

Paul

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user, planning retirement in Thailand in February 2024, sought advice on visa options and health insurance. Key responses highlighted two main visa pathways: the Non-Immigrant Visa based on marriage, which requires less financial proof but more paperwork, and the Non-Immigrant Retirement Visa, which demands significant financial resources but involves less bureaucracy. Regarding health insurance, many participants advised obtaining private insurance due to concerns over the public health system's quality for foreigners, stressing the importance of being covered for emergencies. Recommendations for insurance providers and shared experiences with both private and public healthcare facilities were also discussed.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

Mark ************

Direct to Wrlife ... MHF Wrlife.

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Bob **********

Try Mike he’s from my home town Vegas he can help with health insurance

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Paul **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks mate will send him an email much appreciated for your advice

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Paul **********

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Mark ********

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John ********

I have used the public health services and have found it works fine it's not a free service but it's a lot cheaper than private hospitals as for the insurance you have to pay a lot for a good service

I have a mate that had the insurance it cost him

*****

thb but that only paid for very little

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Coilean *********

I come from a health care background and Public Service hospital are ok and get the job done with no frills. The private sector are very much a business and charge you well for a good service. Private insurance if you can afford it but any preexisting not covered as in blood pressure no cardiac care etc. I am on a marriage extension and it was no problem just lots of forms thankfully my wife looked after everything i became the stupid farang.

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John ********

@Coilean ********

the private sector Rob us in Thailand I was quoted for 3 jabs

*****

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Coilean *********

That's a fact my wife had a semi serious invasive procedure done a a Bangkok hospital. It cost 130k but the service was top class from start to finish. But I paid cash and had to be paid before admission. But insurance for over 65 is impossible here.

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John ********

@Coilean ********

I believe that they made the prices very high for the insurance for the over 65 to drive us back to your home country

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John ********

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Paul **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks for your advice John

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Mark *********

@Paul *********

I’ve used Bumrungrad hospital in Bangkok in the past without insurance for when I really NEED assistance. Living in Cambodia and was in horrible shape by the time they flew me here. It was definitely a life threatening situation. Was told by several people to fly to BKK. It was a few thousand US but possibly saved my life. In the USA that treatment would have been into the six figures, easily.

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Mark *********

This was six years ago

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Mark *********

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John **********

The experts on this page are going to need where you are coming from and your age to provide visa advice to start. A private health plan here greatly advised, unless you want to self fund emergency life threatening hospital costs, like I just had. Try WR Life.

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Paul **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

Sorry forgot to mention I am from Australia aged 62 if that helps

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Mark *********

@Paul *********

health?? Pre-existing conditions?? All very important considerations. If you have significant pre existing conditions you need to make sure you have a substantial savings account in case you have issues as no company will cover those. A guy named Robert Jackson is an insurance broker and could answer questions for you.

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Mark *********

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Greg ********

You have two clear choices for visa non immigrant based on marriage or based on retirement. Marriage less money in the bank , more paperwork, retirement more money less paperwork. I have used the public health system not free for foreigners but cheap and have had good experiences. You should have private insurance incase it goes horribly wrong

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Paul **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks Greg really appreciate your advice

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Paul **********

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Ron *******

Nobody can give you any answers on what you may or may not need in 10 months time.

At least wait until we see what this new incoming government may impose

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Paul **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks Ron this good advice

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Paul **********

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Jeffrey ************

The public health system is a disaster for Thai's and charged to foreigners. Get private health insurance.

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Paul **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jeffrey ***********

thanks for your advice Jeff do you have any advice on which health insurance provider I should try

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Jeffrey ************

@Paul *********

Being from the UK, I use AXA global health as I read too many bad reviews of Thai insurers..

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Jeffrey ************

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The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

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