What steps should two ladies take to retire and move to Thailand with pets?

Fitted sheets are everywhere (big malls like Central). We live in China and every time we go back to Thailand; we have to buy the fitted sheets cause it’s hard to find good ones over here. It costs about USD 30 for a set of very decent ones like Lotus or Elle brand.

Save all receipts from visa purchases, 90 day reporting proofs, airline ticket stubs, apartment rental payments because you might be asked someday to prove how you got in to Thailand. Take these with you when you go to immigration to get your retirement visas granted and also when you renew a year later.

I found that it took attention to detail and a mountain of paperwork to be able to get in and stay in over the last 2 years.

Also, get three power strips that are able to handle 110v-240v simultaneously from Amazon. The ones we got are from Superdanny, have six plug spots and 4 USB charging spots on them. Very difficult to find these things here and we found them to be the best things we brought from the USA.

Bring underwear for one week in a carryon suitcase

Buy what you think you need when you get there

It's hot you don't need much keep it that way

Use debit cards at the ATM

Bring backup cards

You can rent a house for less than 200 a month in Pattaya

Start there

You can pretty much order anything from lazada & have it delivered to your front door.

Check Chumpon Beach area as well.

Bring ur suitcase n bikinis, dont apply for anything yet, stay in different locations, chiangmai, huahin, Samui, where ever then slowly, find ur favorite. Holiday and lifetime location is a different feel. After u decided then u apply for whatever visa u prefer. Everything is reasonably priced, unless u have a special needs.

smart move leaving canada. anything your forget you can purchase here, but fitted sheets are tough to find

You need to visit here before you get too far along the road to relocating. There are businesses that can help you with all the details and the move. Visit first, talk to a concierge business, then decide if, when, and how.

Negative comments are needed, or you're just living in dreamland and denial.

Grow up

Everything has a 30% tax increase if imported but places like Amazon ship here now

Fitted sheets are difficult to find here. Goat cheese is over priced. So is peanut butter!

Research, research!!!

You will learn, good & bad things and something new!

Enjoy the adventure and the last frontier!

If it is possible for you to rent out your property in Canada and not sell up, you could have an income stream and the option of returning home in a few years if you find that Thailand isn't for you. A lot of foreigners move to Thailand anticicipating that they are moving to paradise and will live here forever. Many are gone within 2 years. Even just coming for a year isn't really enough to know if it is right for you, you will still be in holiday mode and likely seeing things through rose coloured glasses/spectacles

Bring some waterproof shoes for rainy season. No matter how much you try to protect your shoes/sandals, inevitably they will get wet and ruined if they are leather

get married to a Thai and get a visa based on marriage. many nice and sustainable Thai men available. be open minded

Hope you can get some information in it, check it out !

Importing your animals will be your first challenge

Get yourself a Wise account . Great for transferring funds internationally. Takes a few minutes to sign up online.

Don’t forget to look around in Cha-am.

Best thing you can possibly do is go over there for a couple of weeks holiday and see for yourselves! You may not even like the place!

Honestly since it seems that you are considering to live in Thailand for life I honestly has to say it's a bad idea. The reality is that Thailand is not a good option when your an expat and very old. There is a reason that 90% of all old people at some point return to their home countries, and it's simply because the health insurance is extremely expensive when you are 75 years old if you will even be allowed to get get it. I would seriously consider another country for permanent retirement. EU comes to mind.. Maybe Greece, Portugal, Croatia, Bulgaria, Spain or Turkey?.. I have lived in Thailand for close to 20 years and moved to EU as it's much better suited for retirement. And unlike what you might think it's approx the same overall cost of living when you include the visa, insurances and so on..

about flooding

avoid living near high risk flood areas

263

Personally I would not bring anything apart from Pants, socks and a computer everything else I can get here. Even bedding is not a problem it’s just is expensive and don’t bring any towels as you can buy these in most places at different price points. Even the Lotus most expensive towels are cheap and quite good quality if you choose the correct ones. I did not bring my Amazon Alexa as the web site said it is not compatible. I now regret selling my 3 devices as my friends use them in Thailand without any issues. Good luck.

Checkout my channel for more about Hua Hin.

Anything you can buy in canada you can buy here… top things i brought that i can find in Thailand without paying a huge premium. Deodorant, blue hard gel type or similar… they just don’t sell it here, it’s the rollers with liquid gel in them and it’s horrible. Bought a 12 pack at Costco before coming. Same goes for razors, for men feels like they got 2 kinds and that’s it. I like the premium throwaways from Costco… bought like 24+ in a pack.

Sheets, towels, you can buy at Home Pro (patrick morin if you seen them in qc) and thai watsadu (home depot / reno depot) … as for importing your pets use pettravel.com, buy the information package for dogs and cats to export to Thailand… really worth the price, did it myself was super easy and saved me a lot versus using the services in canada 🇨🇦 (like thousands )

I don't see many women jumping in with advice, so allow me...If any of your body parts are NOT Asian-sized (and by that I mean teeny tiny), then you should bring large quantities of bras, cotton underwear (impossible to find here unless you like granny panties), and SHOES. Shoe shops here do not sell women's shoes above a size 8 U.S.! Thank God for Lazada, One can order Birkenstock sandals from China, but the odds are about on whether they're authentic or knock-offs. Besides all that, make sure you have your visa situation locked down, as well as housing that allows pets, because that's difficult to find here. Keep your cats indoors because they won't have immunities to the viruses here, along with all the other dangers like soi dogs, snakes, and motorbikes/cars. Hua Hin is a good "starter city." I think you'll love it!

visa condition for foreigners probably on the verge of tightening, see:

stickmanbangkokpost.com and integrity legal youtuber

do google search on internet on: air quality and tap water, public road safety safety and big flood problem. canada excel at those aspects. Only a few condo units allow pets.

Hope all goes well!

Hi seen your post we have helped this Lady make a decision and she is selling up and moving to Thailand. She has done a lot of research her channel is worth a look.

I miss my 35 year old Vitamix 😫

hua hin is nice .. I have as well a pool villa there but rented out

You can buy flat sheets here a bit expensive and I would bring a couple good bath towels most everything else you can buy here especially electronics as were 220 over here so a lot of stuff blows up 🤣🤣🤣

Relo4paws for pets please keep cats indoors they destroy native wildlife

Come to huahin on holiday and find accommodations for you and your animals. Do your research how to move your animals . Sell and leave everything in Canada cos you will be able to get everything here you need. Otherwise don't worry about anything. I guess you have solved your visa requirements. If you are planning to move to the countryside you can pm me

I would not recommend anyone to sale everything you have yet until you have been to Thailand for a few months or more

If both of you are over 50, I'd start with applying for a retirement visa (Nonimmigrant O-A) in your home country! Then come over here and do the rest step by step! It's not too hard! Best of luck! 🍀🤗👍

Koh Lanta Krabi is waiting for welcome you guys.

U can buy almost anything here, so travel light. They love dogs here, plenty of vets and animal hospitals and cat cafés etc. Even a special dog walking zone in bkk Park!

Hua Hin is a nice spot I guess. You'll need 0 bhat in Thai bank, u should be able to apply from embassy fir Non O or Non A visa for retirement. Non O easier. Or you can do in Thailand. Or u can use agency....

Point blank go to Thailand first , visit surrounding areas , educate and talk to expats while you're there , Google online , do some research , talk to visa agents , open up a bank account while you're there , so much to do before uprooting yourself and moving to a foreign country .

Don't bring electric stuff from Canada it's the wrong voltage ,anyway electrical items fairly cheap in Thailand,bring cheese and Salami vacuum packed ,it's expensive here

If you're going to live here then learn the language and try to learn more about and respect the culture

You've started in a pretty good place. This group has a lot of people well informed of the process and are happy to help. This group also have several trolls - you can safely ignore them.

I have yet to find flat sheets any where in SE Asia. So if you need those bring them with you.

Opening a bank account here would likely be done when you get here. It will require a letter from Immigration and a friendly bank manager. You will likely ask this group for a recommendation. Also, the banks work differently here than in the US (and I imagine Canada). When you open a bank account you establish a relationship with that branch. When you need stuff from that bank (paperwork) you will have to go to that branch you will not be able to go to another branch of the same bank. If you open an account in HuaHin and decide to do immigration paperwork somewhere else that requires bank paperwork you will have yourself a complication.

I have not yet done a retirement visa so I have no experience but my buddy says that it works out better if you get your retirement visa here. Visa obtained in the US have insurance requirements while visas obtain in-country do not have those requirements.

North American electronics work here as normal. You can buy plug adapters here, cheap, so no concerns there.

I hear good things about Hua Hin, many people choose to retire there, having an expat community will be beneficial.

Sell everything and move from Canada. I cam from the US and I did the same thing. I am not sure I recommend it 100%. It worked out for me but you may want to visit Thailand to make sure you will be comfortable here.

I find the visa process to be a pain but worth it. Most interactions with immigration require bunches of paperwork and wait time at the immigration office. Each immigration office is different so maybe Hua Hin will be better.

If you have the money I would recommend touring around Thailand before committing to one place. Other popular destinations Phuket (beautiful but bunches of tourists), Chang Mai (beautiful and cooler but they have a burn season), Koh Samui (beautiful but it's an island), Koh Tao (beautiful but it's small island and hard to get to)

Welcome to Thailand.

Start visa are you over 50 so you can get retirement visa ? You have to get pet passports for the dogs and cat ,(have you spent enough time in thailand to be shore you wont to live there ,you do realise your uk state pensions will be frozen living in thailand ,my advice would be if you have property in uk rent it out for extra income it will go up in value,better than in thailand ,if you bring money into thailand get the paperwork so you can get it out if you ever want to go back , and of course you will need private health care .good luck

visa is the first thing to take care, if ones age is 50 then it is quite simple for a retirement visa here in Thailand, any other issues are not much of a problem at all.

I would recommend coming on a short trip first and sorting out your accommodation, bank accounts etc, this will make it so much easier in the long run. I would also limit the amount of stuff you bring, we brought far too much stuff that is still in boxes almost 8 years later.

As a fellow Canadian having spent 23 years coming to Thailand, I would recommend the six months and six months option. The advantages of no winter weather on the one side and no torrential rains and air qualty (for the most part) on the other side. One condo or rental in Chiang Mai/Hua Hin and one in the Okanagan works great. Then there's the critical issue of health care, with you won't loose your provincial health coverage(at least in BC) and have to wait the 3 months to reapply. Tough to beat free, complete healthcare (depending on your income level). If you are not aware, CPP and OAS are paid regardless of how long you are out of the country, only the GIS (supplement) is not paid after being gone for 6 months. All that said, "try before you buy" is paramount...

All the best ladies - welcome to Thailand !

Your only issue is getting the right visa. The rest is nothing.

Cat and dog lovers abound on Koh Lanta. There's a big animal welfare charity here too. Big island with Swedish expats and good restaurants bars and people. It's my favourite place in Thailand.

BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter 220V to 110V Voltage Converter with 6A 4-Port USB Charging and UK/AU/US/EU Worldwide Plug

You've no doubt heard the saying "try before you buy". Thailand ain't paradise!!

Whilst most responses focus on your visa, requirements - as it should for a relax stay, your two dogs need good planning n a considerable budget for shipping. Finding houses or apartments in Thailand allowing keeping dogs, especially if the larger types, can be a challenge. Probably easier to first move,, or try staying here for few months, and next organise your dogs. On what to bring? . Indeed almost everything you need can be found in Thailand or ordered online, yet I personally appreciate to have some personal items, family stuff n art with me on my over 35 years in Asia. Renting a house long term without your personal stuff will often remain feeling like 'it's temporary' and lacks a bit of warmth. But that's only my opinion of course. Others do great with just a suitcase and 'a waterhole around the corner'😊.

One more thing about the dogs here is a link to Tina Maria page she is the founder of Bodi Dog rescue here in Phuket and I'm

sure she can give you some good advice on your dogs

All the best

@https://www.facebook.com/ti****************************

I'd recommend either one of you coming over first and sorting things out before trying to bring pets over and do everything in one trip.

Some seem to say dogs have issues here with ticks, but my dogs haven't had issues, also family who brought dogs over didn't have issues. Monthly flea and tick treatment works fine

Housing will be a bit of work with animals, may cost more for rentals.

Most rentals are not pet friendly.

Cautionary tale with animals.

Friends brought 2 dogs and one got bitten by a tick and passed away very quickly. They were here only about a month or so, even with the flea and tick meds, shots from home. The exotic blood parasites were too much for it.

We have 2 cats from Canada and they are strictly indoor.

Vet care is extremely affordable here.

Have you done recon trips already?

If you are planning a permanent move over you will need to consider things like:

Maintaining residency for tax purposes in Canada or going non resident

Keeping phone numbers

Mail

Longterm cell plans

Banking

Credit cards

Two options for Canadians:

One is to transfer 800k

Other is embassy income letter

800k is the simplest if you can afford it.

Top sheets are really not a thing here.

Bringing linens from home a good idea.

Most electronics are comparable here if not cheaper in most cases.

Travel as lite as possible.

Lots of tips and tricks to get by here.

You will start with a 90 non-o e-visa based on retirement.

Relatively easy to qualify for.

NOT an OA which requires health Insurance and background checks.

Once you receive the e-visa you will have 90 days to enter the country and receive 90 days.

Yes a recon trip is a great idea.

We did the same 2 years ago

6 suitcases and 2 cats.

Hua Hin is great if you want to be near BKK.

Depends on your needs and wants.

By most accounts kinda of a sleepy expat area.

Just think most of your electrical products and household wares are made in China, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand. Just buy new here. About 25% of the price you buy at home.

Yes just bring a suitcase everything is here you will need at good prices .Enjoy the adventure your going to love it 😀

Almost everything you can buy online on Lazada. It is like Thailand’s version of Amazon, but cheaper.

IMO - Have you ever been to Thailand before? I suggest before selling everything first you stay for 2-3 months and live like you would if you were planning on living there and see if the life, other than a holiday, is what you expect it to be. 2 vastly different lifestyles from being on holiday to actually living in a town.

i don’t understand the comment about the sheets this surreal

If you haven't been to Thailand before come without the animals first and find out where you will want to live, a lot easier to travel around without the animals, add Koh Chang to your list of places to visit. You can use visa agent to open bank account when here as well. Electric is 240 v so electric don't bring. When Rent a house you may need to build a fence to keep animals in and strays out not many properties are well feñced. Good luck with your future

One thing I know about Thailand ... Thailand has everything u want , you just need to look at the right places, imported items may cost a bit more but it's all here ... it might even be cheaper since u don't pay that much taxes on most items here .:. Buy it when u need it , don't need to bring anything

Except money

8 years ago, we sold everything left the US with nothing but 2 backpacks. Been here ever since. Our only regret? Not having done it sooner!

If you're not 50 or over, a long term visa will be a challenge. If you're 50 and up, you can apply for a retirement visa. You'll need 800,000 baht each in a Thai bank account, I believe insurance, and lots of paperwork! Best advice is to visit a Thai embassy in Canada and speak to them about options. Good luck!

Just come and try different places before you decide. Perhaps leave things in Canada or sell all and if you need something buy it again later. Have to come here to see prices.

I had a hard time finding a waffle maker in Uttaradit. Bring one of those, better two…

Bring your teeth brush...

Good quality bedding and towels are expensive here. I always bring them back when I visit home. Good quality swimwear is also worth bringing with you.

Get 1 year visa and rent a place for 1 year.dont stress on what you need to bring.just bring yourself and animals.get an agent to help with visa and bank accounts. Life's to short to worry about that.chaing mai is popular

Not sure if you have been to thailand before….if not then plan a short visit and travel to certain areas to get a feel for the different places and people….you will find that thailand stocks pretty much the same stuff you have in Canada….sheets,electronics and so much more…speak to people in thailand,ex pats,visa people etc…..then make your move….good luck,thailand is fabulous!

Start from your country by submitting papers for Non-O or Non-OA based on Retired and Living in Thailand at Thai Embassy.

Not assuming anything about your finances but if they’re very good you might consider the LTR visa for wealthy individuals rather than the retirement visa.

Apply for type O retirement visas before you leave Canada. It makes it much easier once you get here. It gives you a 90 day retirement visa, which gives you time to open your bank accounts (both of you will need separate bank accounts) and the two months the bt800,000 has to be there before you can apply for your one year extension. It is very easy to open your needed bank account with the retirement visa, and almost impossible on a tourist visa. Keep this in mind.

Do your research and enjoy your life to the fullest in Thailand. Hua Hin is a great place and good location

Leave everything in Canada and move with a suitcase. Everything is available at fair prices and the cost of shipping and customs is exorbitant. Enjoy the experience.

what is this story about sheets ?

As Canadians you don't need to deposit money in a Thai bank account, you can go to your embassy in Bangkok and get an income affidavit.

You depositing cash makes it sound so easy like ur gonna hop off the plan and open an account. I'd worry about all your visa, bank accounts and housing before talking nonsense about not having this or that here lol

U make it sound so simple...I'm glad u think that way :)

Been here 30 years, one major thing I learned is don't bring dogs here. They will get tiks, they will get diseases from other dogs, you will have to have a full 8 foot wall around your house as you cannot let ur dog even for 1 second mix with local dogs...it is very difficult to keep a foriegn dog alive and well here. Also not to mention ur moving to thialans the first time and ur gonna have to live in a house.....living in a house right off the plane without speaking Thai isn't suggested unless ur in the most upscale village

You’re too young for Hua Hin, the average expat age there is 104 😂😂😂