What type of visa should my parents apply for to spend most of the year in Thailand with a monthly income but without the lump sum requirement?

@Ally ***********

of course my returns are paid in more valuable pesos… and at no point whatsoever do I need to convert the pesos to baht. Hence not exposing myself to currency risk. It’s called diversification. But if someone is leaving 800k baht in a Thai bank, it’s likely the very concept of diversification is a bit over their head.

I have residency and travel to Mexico frequently. Also keep funds in euros and USD. Do you come to Thailand and never expect to leave for vacation or travel?

The ‘disastrous’ implications you mention for multinational corporations are large and result of their inherent indebtedness and over- leveraging. Thus they need to play a game of risk mitigation that the average person has no need at all to expose themselves to.

And again, you take a ridiculous leap and make up a silly story about calling foreign currency exchange ‘basic fincance’. It’s like you are barely literate or drunk reading. Naive and idiotic.

@Todd ********

Except you forgot to factor in exchange rate risk.. or mention that a sudden shift in swap rates can eliminate all gains on a foreign investment.. overseas money is not spendable in Thailand until it's converted into Thai baht of course.. and therein lyes the problem.. you could be lucky or you could be very unlucky depending upon your timing.. so to suggest your theory is flawless ignores the complex nature of financial markets.. and to imply that everyone should do this to off-set their agent's fees just because it has worked for you (so far) verges on the lemming theory.. and before you tell me i don't know what I'm talking about.. i should mention that I've been a portfolio manager and active in risk management in financial markets for over 40 years.. so i speak with a little knowledge on the subject!

@John *******

That is not what i said at all.. i said that 'if' an agent obtains a visa for a client who doesn't qualify for it.. eg. by employing the services of immigration officials they 'work' with.. then there is a risk of the visa being withdrawn at a later date should the system be audited and irregularities come to light.. though i accept this may never happen it remains a risk that neither the applicant nor the agent can control.. in general, an agent has a fiduciary duty to act in good faith and in the best interests of the principal.. ie. his client.. and in accordance with the agency agreement at all times.. so this should protect the applicant from being accused of malfeasance in the event of any shenanigans by the agent.. meaning any misdeeds committed by the agent but unknown to the applicant.. however, if the applicant knows he/she did not meet the criteria at the time of the application.. eg. they did not satisfy the income or savings requirements and cannot prove it retrospectively.. then I'd suggest that is sufficient evidence for immigration to cancel a visa.. it would also infer collaboration between agent/applicant and that both parties had full knowledge of the intended deceit.. and in this scenario the applicant would be considered equally guilty.. and could potentially face equal punishment.. it's all very hypothetical i know.. but also very possible.. remember we are living in country where the immigration rules are not set in stone.. they are interpreted differently between different offices.. and even differently between different officers within the same office sometimes.. the point being they are both fluid and unpredictable.. the best advice is to play by the rules.. and if you want to ensure the best chance of staying here long term.. then don't take unnecessary risks.. otherwise be prepared to have to leave!

@Nick ***********

I neither seek nor need your approval my friend.. though you are entitled to your opinion as is everyone else.. but if you want to attack my opinion.. i politely suggest you offer a comment that is at least structured and rational in its construction.. labelling someone's opinion bs simply because you dont agree with it is not a credible response I'm afraid!

@Ken *****

Yes , I think the Thai govt is going to look at these treaties very close . In the case of Canada it states it applies to government officials only who are in Thailand for work ie: embassies or such . It doesn't say it applies to all Canadians

I'm actually waiting to see what happened with other Canadians living in Thailand and if the Thai govt accepted the treaty in full

@Andrew ******

unless there is s taxtreaty between your country and Thailand. In that treat is written which income is taxed in your home country and Thailand

@Todd ********

i read your answer a couple times to make sense of it. the first part is just wrong. i’ve been retired over 20 years and spend my money in splurges. i would hate to die with lots of unspent money. but the 3d sentence … really loses me. it sounds like you are about to suggest an alternative but forget what you were going to say. is there something helpful you want to add…?

@John *******

the non o is for 90 days then you extend for 12 months. Some agents get them both together which gives 15 months but the next extension will be 12 months.

@Nick ***********

yes this is the easiest way but here in Phuket the cost 14k only

@Nick ***********

Actually what he says is correct when it comes to the 800k financial requirement. When going for a legit extension you have to show the finances from the previous extension. I got caught this way. I was silly enough to use an agent to bypass the 800k, and when I decided to do it myself, I was rejected at CW and advised to leave the country, re-enter on exempt basis and start the process again. It wasn't a huge drama, but still an irritating inconvenience. I'd also now always advise people to do it legally from day one.

@Jasmine *******

Roberto rages on endlessly about this. Dude is out to lunch

Yes I cringe each time I hear the "use an agent" as the answer. Why support a racket where doing it yourself is so much cheaper.

@Jasmine *******

just beware that the agents offering a visa without the person having THB 800,000 is illegal in Thailand. Up to the individual.

@Jasmine *******

all visas are 2000 baht paid directly to immigration. All visa extensions are 1900 baht paid directly to immigration. Every province has their own immigration office and each office has their own rules and requirements. How easy it is will depend on where you are applying and how well you are at meeting the requirements.