What visa options do veterans have for retiring in Thailand and how can they ensure a stress-free experience?

Thai retirement visa O-A visa VA benefits in Thailand cost of living in Thailand expat lifestyle cultural adaptation in Thailand financial requirements for Thai visas thailand living expenses veterans in Thailand healthcare in Thailand

Nov 5, 2024

17 days ago

Vee ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

In my opinion, visiting first and researching the areas, as well as inquiring about requirements, is the best approach for me. 

As a retired federal employee and Veteran, reading these posts can be overwhelming and disappointing due to some providing valuable advice while others make condescending remarks towards those unfamiliar with the process.

Not everyone has 800,000 Baht to invest in a Thai account, similarly, Portugal requires $10,000. Social media is making it seem as tho this is the place to be and have people jumping on planes , moving and not doing proper researching or planning. Why, because all they are seeing is low rent, food etc which will change the more people move there. 

I prefer not to rely on another country's resources by coming there with no income. I would like to hear more from some of the men/women veterans who have moved to Thailand and retired. What do you do for VA appointments etc.?  What visa they have? 

I am seeking an stress-free environment without depleting my monthly retirement benefits. 

peace and a stress-free lifestyle

🫶🏽🙇🏽

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TLDR : Answer Summary

This discussion centers around the challenges and considerations for veterans planning to move to Thailand for retirement. Key points include the complexities of the visa process, particularly the O-A visa and financial requirements such as the 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank account or a 65,000 Baht monthly income. The conversation also highlights the mixed experiences of living in Thailand, with some finding it increasingly expensive compared to the US, especially in major cities. Veterans share insights on VA healthcare resources in Thailand, the importance of visiting and researching different locations before deciding to relocate, and adapting to cultural differences.

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.

Alan ********

Mr Vee Melvin it's like Wikipedia don't believe or take it all too seriously. Look at the good advice and those that care and dismiss the rest good luck matey. 👍 An x veteran myself.

13 days ago

Vee ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

It’s Ms.

Alan ********

sorry

Reply to

Alan ********

Ricky ********

Ive heard Portugal is even cheaper to live than Thailand

15 days ago

Vee ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ricky *******

It’s not. Look up the rental prices etc. They have the Euro which is almost even with the dollar. Homes are old style. Thailand has more modern housing and furniture. Very small apts in Portugal. Milder temps, clean air etc in Portugal. I don’t like the housing.farther away from Lisbon is cheaper but what out there.

15 days ago

Reply to

Vee ********

Perry *******

If >50 years of age.. a "retirement" visa is easy to obtain.

- A visa "agent" is worth the expense to process the paperwork .. and set up a thai bank account without the 800,000 ..

-Like you I didnt want stress and a visa agent reduced the stress..

- Ditto on getting a driver's license ( 2.. since motorcycle is seperate)

16 days ago

Perry *******

FMP.. is the VA medical "system" while living/ traveling abroad.

- Recommend reading up on it.

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16 days ago

Vee ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Perry ******

Thank you! 😊

16 days ago

Reply to

Vee ********

Perry *******

-- There are several FBook groups dedicated to US military Veterans.

- "" groups dedicated for VA medical and Tricare

-' Those groups will provide more specific information .

16 days ago

Claude *******

You are a very cute and lovely veteran 😍

16 days ago

Vee ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Claude ******

🤓

16 days ago

Reply to

Vee ********

Terary **********

I have been here 10 years, I would absolutely do it again.

- People on FB can be jerks, myself included. It's up to you to ignore it.

- Visa process in Thailand has gotten a lot more easier in the past year or so. It's possible that you read older posts when the process was more of a pain (I have no idea what you've read, but it's possible).

- Absolutely, I recommend you come here and check-out the different places. My biggest issue is just bought a place and now I can't go live in different places. But I can still visit..

- I often sit on my back porch staring at the sunset over the Ocean and think to myself: "This is the best life". I hope you can too.

I have a buddy who is a vet. He has some medical conditions that complicate things but he still manages to spend half the year here. I think can spend more time here but prefers to be there. He is able to talk the VA to given him larger quantities of medications so that he doesn't have to refill. Additionally, he has a friend ship him stuff from his home.

This group is a pretty good group. When you're ready to make move I would encourage you to ask this group for advice about mistakes made (bank accounts, taxes, driver's license, etc etc).

16 days ago

Vee ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Terary *********

Thank You 😊

16 days ago

Reply to

Vee ********

Danny *******

I've been here 15 years and if I had it to do it over I'd go to Portugal or somewhere else in Europe.

Brian ********

why?

Danny *******

Lack of a meaningful civil justice system here, lack of ability to own real estate outright (no matter what they tell you), lack of realistic health insurance after 75, … those are the big ones for me.

16 days ago

Brian ********

@Danny ******

so what's stopping you from going? (The only thing you mentioned that concerns me a little is the health insurance, but I have a sizeable savings so I shouldn't have to worry).

16 days ago

Danny *******

@Brian *******

Lots of thing. That why I said “if I had it it do over again”. I was trying to give the guy my experience and advice. I’m not interested in moving again at this point.

16 days ago

Reply to

Danny *******

Vee ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Danny ******

you can still go to Portugal can’t you?

17 days ago

Danny *******

@Vee *******

Sure

17 days ago

Reply to

Danny *******

Craig *******

Thailand is not for everybody. A lot of people that move here end up leaving.

17 days ago

Vee ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Craig ******

I understand. I was stationed overseas a long time and understand that you will get home sick but if you keep busy and adapt you will be fine. 😊

17 days ago

Dianne *****

@Vee *******

it's not about getting home sick so much. People leave due to other factors such as the language barrier, frustrations due to cultural differences, beaurocracy, unrelenting heat, unmet expectations re what they expected living in Thailand would be like, poor environmental controls ie terrible air quality for months of the year when agricultural waste is burned, neighbours burning plastic, daily late night noise from bars and neighbours partying, dangerous driving conditions, boredom and loneliness. However it is very individual and depends on a lot of factors ie what one person hates about Thailand often is, what another loves. The fact that you mention keeping busy and adapting puts your chance of settling ahead of many others

16 days ago

Craig *******

@Vee *******

I don't get home sick. This is home ! People really need to consider why they are moving here in the first place. I would suggest spending 6months to a year here before making the jump.

17 days ago

Dianne *****

@Craig ******

I don't think even a year here is enough to decide. Most people are still walking around with pink glasses on at a year, seeing everything as rosy. Some time in the second year seems to be the point at which the pink glasses come off and people decide to stay or go

16 days ago

Reply to

Dianne *****

Bob ******

Just don’t forget about your USA taxes as it gets really tricky depending on where you live

17 days ago

Eric ******

I absolutely agree with what you said. If you’ve read this forum in depth, there is some good info. NO, Thailand is not the legendary place where you can live like a king on $1000/ mo anymore. I find it just as expensive, if not more, than the US for a lot of things, at least in the larger cities like Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai unless you live in a hut and eat street food. There is plenty of good in Thailand, but over recent years, it kind of went the way of Las Vegas…used to be cheap and people would visit, then the more popular it got, the higher the prices trended up.

Even if you do everything by the book paperwork wise, you are still at the whim of the immigration office/ officer that they will be satisfied and approve it. Then when you get here, same with the banks, and now you’re at their mercy. Now where the big debate is, the $800k baht. You basically have 2 choices. By the book and you’re money sits idle in a low if not 0% account, or you can go through an agent like myself and 1000’s of others have (and this is where the stickers come out…). If you want more info and the name of a great agent, very knowledgeable, well known and reputable, you can message me on FB and I’ll send it to you, or you may be able to click on my name and see past posts I’ve done and recommended him. I’m just getting tired of the hall monitors with their irrelevant comments when I do.

And yes on visiting first, deciding on your preferred area and if it’s somewhere you want to be. I thought it would be for me, but the more research I do, and I am in Vietnam now as my Non O recently expired, the more I see advantages to splitting time between TL, Vietnam (I REALLY like it here and things actually ARE very reasonably priced), the Philippines, Malaysia, etc. Just something to ponder.

I’m also a Veteran, although not on your level if you qualify for VA benefits, so thank you for your service. It has to absolutely infuriate you to see what is happening to our once proud Country 🇺🇸and what it has descended to. I didn’t even realize there were VAs here, but that group that was recommended seems like a good place to start, however the medical care and facilities in Thailand are very impressive and extremely reasonable. There are a lot of things in Thailand that I say 🤦🏻‍♂️, why can’t it be like that in the US?? Sorry so long. Let me know if I can help with anything. Take care and enjoy your trip!

17 days ago

Roy ***********

@Eric *****

Re: I find it just as expensive, if not more, than the US for a lot of things, at least in the larger cities like Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai unless you live in a hut and eat street food.

What in the world are you talking about? I don't live in a hut, I live in a multi-bedroom house 20 minutes from town (Chiang Mai) with a large garden for far less than my small apartment in Oakland, California in a challenged neighborhood. My food costs at many different kinds of restaurants, not street food, are less than 50% (and often less than 25%) of costs in most big cities in the USA.. Yes, there are some things where pricing is similar to the USA, but that's a small fraction of my budget.

17 days ago

David ********

What you have not said is "Learn to cook Thai food" 90% of Thai food is cooked in a single wok with 100 different sauces available at Lotus Shopping Mall. It will cost you

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rd of a restaurant bill or less. You will be able to eat out as often as you please but learn to cook Thai, it will save you lots of money, contrary to popular belief. Cook yourself e.g. 2 eggs on toast Bt20, at a restaurant, Bt100 takes 5 minutes to cook. Sweet and sour pork or chicken on rice Bt40, a restaurant Bt200. Just put it in a cooker stir it around for

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mins, make sure the meat is in for 10 mins first put the sauce in, and all done. Coffee satchel from

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Bt6, Home-cooked sweet and sour Bt45. all told Bt200 at a restaurant. 21 meals a week including a few restaurant dinners

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the cost and very convenient.

14 days ago

Eric ******

@Roy **********

As I said, a lot of things are the same or more. And I promise you, you’re not living on $1000 a month. Chiang Mai is the most reasonable city of the ones I mentioned, but you’re still pretty far from the city center. And yes, some things are definitely less expensive (especially HEALTH CARE, which I’m very impressed with). The things I had in mind were nicer hotels, which I’ve been staying in for the past several months. Western food, yes, I get that it’s my choice to go there, but $6+ for a Whopper at BK. $8-$12 dollars for a 12” sub at Subway and $3+ for 3 cookies. Walked out of Taco Bell when I saw the prices. Nice clothes at a mall Logo store the same or higher. My Nike shoes that are $70-$80 in the states are $120 here, unless you can find some “impressive” knockoffs, but the dam sizes only go up to 45 (around 10 US). Spray deodorant, tooth brush/ toothpaste, shaving cream, bug spray, sunscreen, food at a grocery store, etc, etc, etc. I can go on and on. And I’m not bashing Thailand, I love it here, enough to even overpay. Just like I still love Las Vegas. Love New York City. Again, my comment said you’re not going to “live like a king on $1000/ mo”. That’s indisputable. I said ‘the more popular it got, prices trended up”. They have, even from my visit last year until my return this July. You can STILL go on You Tube and see vids from bloggers pushing how ridiculously cheap Thailand is but it isn’t factual, just trying to get clicks. I also said there is plenty of good here, and there definitely is. But I’ll also say that I am in Vietnam now, and the prices here actually ARE less than US and even Thailand. But obviously, prices are going to continue to rise in Thailand, US, UK, Aus and everywhere else. I was simply making a statement not expect the illusion of things being pennies on the dollar. I stand by that.

16 days ago

Alistair **********

@Roy **********

he probably moved here years ago, I'm not American but the cost in Australia has gone up massively esp since covid. So whilst Thailand is reasonably expensive for say western food, even that is still only what I paid 10yrs ago in Australia.

But for Thai, Japanese, Korean food, rent, transportation and everyday costs it's about 25-50% of the cost back in Oz.

16 days ago

Eric ******

@Alistair *********

Yes, “tourist” costs are a lot of what I was referring to…nice hotels, western food, “REAL” name brand clothes from the mall stores, etc. And no, not years ago, I just arrived in July (piggybacking on my visit from last year) and I have noticed prices have risen in that timeframe, especially hotels even in the “slow” season recently. With the new Visa regs, I think the more popular Thailand becomes, the prices will trend even higher. Would still rather overpay here than in the US. 😁

16 days ago

Reply to

Eric ******

Kevin *******

@Roy **********

right. I just moved from Florida...I get a 3 bedroom pool villa in Thailand for less than a one bedroom crappy apartment back in the states.

16 days ago

Eric ******

@Kevin ******

Not in the middle of Bangkok, Pattaya or Phuket you didn’t. 😁 I’m from Florida too. Sold my house and retired a few months ago and hit the road, lol. It is horrible what is going on with the hurricanes and flooding there. I feel bad for so many of those people, especially the ones that had no “flood insurance”. Even the people that DID have adequate coverage are getting hit with $12,000 deductibles😳😞. And can you imagine what FUTURE premiums are going to be after inevitable rate hikes?

And for a more in depth explanation of my thought process, you can see my response to Roy. I do love Thailand though!

16 days ago

Kevin *******

@Eric *****

yea, I'm from Bradenton I have a lot of friends dealing with exactly what you mentioned above with insurances and "floods"

Very Sad. I think we got out at just the right time. Best wishes to you brother

16 days ago

Reply to

Kevin *******

Reluctant *******

Setting up 2 places in SEA is the way to go. I did it for 2 years and it has many benefits; for those who can afford it.

17 days ago

Vee ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Eric *****

Thank You! I have an agent, so when I visit I will take care of the paperwork. I like the high rises in Bangkok but may end up with Jomtien. I also have great medical besides VA. As for the

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0 baht, from what I read, I think it’s if you don’t your pensions deposit aren’t 65,000 a month which I’m good there. I look forward to seeing what Thailand has to offer. Many will be running from the US soon and There are several countries that they will be looking to. Thank You so much! Blessings to you! 🫶🏽🙇🏽 Ohhh! GODawgs! 🖤❤️🤣😂🤣

17 days ago

Eric ******

@Vee *******

Go Dawgs?!?🤦🏻‍♂️😁 That was a good game right til the last few minutes. And that was good and accurate advise that Kool Breeze gave.

16 days ago

Kool *******

@Vee *******

concerning the bt800,000 financial requirement for the retirement visa extension, or the monthly deposits of at least bt65,000 every month. In order to use the monthly deposits method for the very first year, immigration requires a notarized income statement from your embassy, and the US embassy no longer provides that document, so you can only use the bt800,000 method for the first year. For every year after that, and having 12 months of regular deposits from overseas, you can switch financial methods, but you can not use the monthly method the first year. The US no longer issues this notarized document because Thailand requirements that the embassy guarantee that the wage statements are true, and the embassy will not do this. They only certify that you are the one that signed the document, and as such immigration does not accept it. On a side note, in 2023 Bangkok was the most visited city in the world. About a third of those people visiting want to live here. To deal with this Thailand sets financial requirements to limit those numbers. The more advanced Thailand becomes technologically, and they are getting very advanced, especially computer wise, they crack down on those people using loopholes, and agents to scam the system to stay here long term when they can't, or don't want to meet the financial requirements. Just keep that in mind if you choose the agent route to meet the financials

17 days ago

Reply to

Kool *******

Ron ******

One thing you do have to remember is that in Thailand there is no one rule fits all. Example, the requirements for extensions are specific to each immigration office. So you can ask a question and get different answers which are all correct but specific to an individual office. The flippant remarks posted by some with nothing better to do aren't difficult to filter out.

17 days ago

Eric ******

@Ron *****

but there are sooo many of them.🤦🏻‍♂️

17 days ago

Reply to

Eric ******

Wallace ******

For questions on dealing with the VA in Thailand, join this group. There are a FEW hospitals that will direct bill the VA...

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*****

17 days ago

Vee ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Wallace *****

ok Thank you! 😊

17 days ago

Reply to

Vee ********

Cameron *******

O-A visa good for one year. Easiest to obtain while in your home country, as the requirements are up to the immigration officer in Thailand, this the conflicting reports. Rent is cheaper, but space is smaller as well. Cost per square foot/meter is actually about the same. Food prices are reasonable if you like to eat out. Western food at the market will be expensive compared to home.

17 days ago

Tr *****

17 days ago

Reply to

Tr *****

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