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What is the best visa option for relocating to Thailand as a type 1 diabetic on SSDI?

Thailand immigrationVisa optionsSSDIHealthcare in ThailandLiving in ThailandChiang MaiPattayaExpat adviceCost of living in ThailandThai Elite visaPrivate healthcare Thailand
Jan 1, 2024
10 months ago
Adam ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello group. New guy here. I'm looking at possibly relocating to Thailand as I hear the healthcare system is orders of magnitude better than the Philippines. That is a huge motivating factor considering I'm a type 1 diabetic. I also hear Thailand is cleaner and infrastructure in general is better as well. So I'm here seeking advice on how to go about relocating there. I'm 35 so I won't have a retirement pension. But I will be on SSDI. I'm wondering what would be the best visa type for my situation. I'm looking into either Pattya or Chiang Mai. Thanks in advance and a happy New Year!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A new expat considering relocating to Thailand, particularly to Pattaya or Chiang Mai, is seeking advice on the best visa type suitable for their situation as a 35-year-old type 1 diabetic receiving SSDI. The conversation highlights the advantages of Thailand's healthcare system over the Philippines, discusses potential visa pathways including marriage to a Thai national and the costly Thai Elite visa, and shares insights about living expenses, healthcare affordability, and general living conditions for expats in Thailand.
Mitchell *******
Your 2 true options are marriage or Elite visa.
10 months ago
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Ken ******
guess you need to choose region carefully esp with regard to air pollution (there are many apps to download and check real time air quality). private hospital care of course very good but at a cost
10 months ago
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Vic *********
@Ken *****
 True that healthcare here is not free - nor is it anywhere - but the pricing is open and way more affordable and available than many countries in the west. Most notably the US.
10 months ago
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Ken ******
@Vic ********
 you can actually write to hospitals for price quotation and comparison if you like, there are also youtube videos on these topics, at your young age health insurance is not so expensive (i'd say v expensive after sixty or so) but as general rule preconditions are all excluded
10 months ago
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Ken ******
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James *********
Marry a Thai gal, and you can get to live there fairly easily.
10 months ago
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Adam ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James ********
 Shoot, I'd love to 😅 Thai women are beautiful and age like wine
10 months ago
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Adam ******
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Sam *********
Good luck my fellow Rhode Islander…
10 months ago
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Adam ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sam ********
 Thanks!
10 months ago
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Adam ******
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Alex *******
Only Thai Elite which costs big money
10 months ago
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Klee **************
bring cash or stay in your home country
10 months ago
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Frank **********
Unless you have major money, it will be hard for you to stay long term.
10 months ago
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Joey ***********
True... i am a Filipino living here. The hospitals are better and the system are better too.
10 months ago
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Sei *****
True that Thailand hospital service is better the the Philippines. But the living cost is much more higher. contact an agent about your options for visa.
10 months ago
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Joey ***********
@Sei ****
 Not by much but the prices of food and some groceries and basic necessities are less expensive here in Thailand. Also, the income of most people here are higher than in the Philippines.
10 months ago
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Adam ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sei ****
 Yeah, I noticed that as well. But not by much (Thankfully 😅)
10 months ago
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Adam ******
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Bonnie *********
Your income from another country is irrelevant.

I suggest you read about visa options from the Royal Thai Embassy in your home country and ask questions after you have a decent overview.

You can't just move to countries without meeting specific requirements.

Have you ever visited Thailand?
10 months ago
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Sam *********
@Bonnie ********
 plenty of people move to Thailand and don't "meet visa requirements" to be honest. I have figured out that "where there is a will, there is a way" applies to the Thai visa situation too...If he really wants it to happen, he can make it happen, only thing that might get in the way is not having the right funds, but he could get a job, get married, get an education visa. There are ways. But he should certainly come and visit before he does anything else.
10 months ago
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Adam ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bonnie ********
 I understand I can't just move here without meeting certain requirements. That's why I'm here asking questions. I have not been to Thailand yet as I've actually been doing research on the Philippines then I mentioned in a Philippines group that I was diabetic and a commenter said I'd have a better quality of life in Thailand
10 months ago
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Bonnie *********
@Adam *****
 Again, I’m recommending that you visit the official Thai Embassy site for official information with all of the requirements.
10 months ago
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Adam ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bonnie ********
 I was just looking on there and it's confusing because I don't qualify for a LTR visa, nor a retirement visa since I'm only 35. It looks as if I'd have to go on a tourist visa and keep renewing every 3 months or so.
10 months ago
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Bob ********
@Adam *****
 You can enter Thailand visa exempt for 30 days if your passport qualifies, then you can extend another 30 days at immigration for 1900 baht. After that you would need to leave the country. You can then fly back bad start again but can not live in Thailand long term under those conditions, eventually immigration will refuse you entry.
10 months ago
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Adam ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bob *******
 Yeah, that's what it seems like to me also. Which is a shame because the Philippines gives you a 6 month extension.
10 months ago
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Adam ******
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Jo **********
What is SSDI
10 months ago
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Adam ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jo *********
 Social security disability
10 months ago
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Adam ******
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Jo **********
it’s health care is better than most of the world
10 months ago
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Jo **********
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