Why is financial stability important for expats living in Thailand?

I think the 800,000 is a good idea. If it was enforced properly instead of the in and out fiasco with certain agents it would certainly keep the riff raff out.

This is what I've discovered since I've been there, you can use an agency and not have to put up your money but I don't know how long it's going to last and you end up spending more money per year, or you can just bite the bullet and put your 400,000 or 800,000 Thai baht in the bank depending on if you're married or retirement, I probably shouldn't let the cat out of the bag but if you're in Bangkok and you use government hospitals there's one that I will not mention that's amazing you pay very little money if any and if you have a Thai spouse who is military, government teacher or nurse you're covered, also we are forgetting is after several years three I think it is you can get your pic ID or permanent residence card which a lot of the situations and requirements are not necessary, it takes time, and you can actually get health insurance pretty reasonable if you shop around

Sorry to say but mostly the foreigner that come to thailand are NOT the above average citizens in there own country. Mostly the low IQ , alcohol induced, foul mouthed, disrespectful people who made bad choices in life amd can’t afford to

Live in their own country. Thats why they go to the cheapest asian countries to live or even just get by financially there also.its sad

No idea what your post is about. If you want to live from 1.5M and have rent of 5k a month and plan to spent 20k for a living, you last 60 months ... which is 5 years.

Does not sound like a sound plan.

Considering that you probably fancy a 20k Condo instead and want to spent 40k a month ... you do not even last 2 years.

Simple math ... take a pocket calculator.

All you need is enough money to leave Thailand if you can't afford to look after yourself. What happens to you after that isn't a problem for Thailand. The 800,,000 baht thing is a cash grab. As of the latest reports, there are approximately 126,654 foreigners residing in Thailand on a retirement visa. Multiply that by 800,000 baht and there is 101,323,200,000 baht that the Thai government has brought into Thailand for them to use.

Whats it to do with you? I sent money as needed every month. I do not need to keep unnecessary money in my account here. I've survived 24 years here or am i doing something wrong.

simple, they can not live well in their country due to high prices and low income, or pension. They can not afford to dine in with their budget in their country. So they think in Thailand, with their low budget, they can live like King, because Thailand must be cheap. They think so. That is why they came to Thailand with such lower budget and want to live in Thailand like King. They expected that all Thais admire them as kings and serve them well. But the reality is totally different. Be served well is expensive in Thailand too. Living as king? much more expensive. So they can not afford too. That is why such farangs are big problem in Thailand. 🤣🤣🤣

1.5 million baht for the rest of your life?

If you pinch pennies that's maybe 3 yrs tops.

Guys let's address the elephant in the room. The only time you can get YOUR hands on YOUR THB 800,000 is if you leave the country.

Originally from Scotland, I lived in the USA for five and a half years, Sweden for two years and Ukraine for one year.

Thailand’s regulations are complicated, confusing, and are applied inconsistently depending on which Immigration Office, Immigration Officer, Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate General you are dealing with.

This is what makes it so challenging and incredibly frustrating.

It is also very sexist. A foreign woman marrying a Thai man does not have to meet any of the financial requirements that a foreign man marrying a Thai woman has to.

I find it ironic that successive Thai Governments talk about wanting to attract higher quality farang to Thailand - in other words they want to attract our money - yet they are making it increasingly difficult for us to settle in Thailand.

Vietnam is 30% to 35% cheaper and far more welcoming. If I wasn’t already married to a Thai woman, I would move there. The Vietnamese economy is growing at a rate of 8% per year, far higher than Thailand.

You need 400k to prove that you can support your Thai wife. But if you have a joint account then 700k isn't enough. How's that logic adding up?

Seems morre to be how much you will leave if you die!

Mind your own business and let people do what they want

For a foreigner to get any sort of medium term visa to visit New Zealand or Australia the need to show a very large amount of funds, a secure job in their home country, ideally with assets in their name in their home country, OR they need to have a sponsor who will guarantee to support them during their stay. I think its reasonable, considering how many bums would love to live a cheap life in South East Asia, for these countries to insist on any person who wants to long stay to show that they can support themselves.

Other countries demand a deposit in various amounts as well if you decide to immigrate. Either through a sponsor if you don’t have the money or by opening a bank account. Obviously nobody takes this into consideration when it comes to whining about the 800k 🤔

If a Thai only wants to visit Western countries as a tourist, like Europe, he has to show enough money on his account and has to have a job etc. In my homecountry they want a guaranteed amount of 125$/day and compulsory health insurance for a stay.

So please just try to think outside the box.

As much as a i agree that rules are rules and there is a reason for needing money to cover expenses here. One thing I dont agree with is that lets take a marriage visa, married to a thai, lived here along time, and some unforeseen expenses come up or emergencies that hit the budget hard. Now your husband has to be deported or leave the country? That is not really fair.

Most of the other countries that allow expats to retire will require you to show proof of funds and/or income but will not force you to bring a fair amount of cash in the country to sit in a next to zero interest account forever. Offer me 5%+ and the 800k thb will be more attractive.

They make the rules, not sure if other countries have the same requirements to live there I know NZ doesn't if married, but in some cases they do require a sponsor . Where it alls goes wrong is this money thing, most that come here on marriage or retirement have an income yearly many purchase a house/build buy a vehicle and live in the community just like Thais have bills monthly buy food and probably go on trips around the country always spending. Unfortunately others arrive settle in tourists areas and spend thinking they are tourists and that's where it can all go wrong.

O they ask and check that you have 800,000 in the bank to prove you can support yourself, but the tell you you cant ever spend more than half

Where is the logic in that ?

We all come with good amounts. But over time, cars, houses, etc, these amount get reduced, but can still afford a decent lifestyle

What is the point of having 400,000 sitting doing nothing every year that if you have a unforseen bill to pay, you then lose your visa ?

Why do single people need 800,000 , while married with children only need 400,000?

Glad I don't need or want the Thai lady, one less issue for me to stress about😅

I agree!

Yes it's a huge deal, no decent normal Thai people will have this amount of 0 for a year. It's insane.