I got an early retirement 8 years ago but was / am not old enough to get the retirement VISA at 50 though I fulfil all the other requirements. Was told to continue on Tourist VISA at immigration here in BKK and at the Embassy in Laos and Vietnam. I was hoping things would change so I could stay here in this place I now call home but the Danish Embassy is no longer giving out the letters asking for extension and thus I have no other choice to return home because I do not fit into any of the categories. I'm not married, no children, not working, not studying and not 50 years old. I speak and read Thai and has been coming here since I was an AFS student at age 16 making this year my 30th year living / traveling / working / studying here in Thailand. I fly back on Saturday and though I somewhat understand and accept the situation I still think the government could have done better and given more options to those who are stuck in the bureaucracy due to no fault of their own besides paying people off or applying for and paying for some dodgy VISA that we all know are just for show.

Just talked to thai woman on the government hotline, she said going back home for a couple of months till things changed and more information came out was my best option and that the new 9 month visa at its present form with government selected hotel stays was only for "the rich". So after coming here for 30 years I guess it's time for me to go too. Best of luck to you all :)

@Florian *******

yeah, looks like we are pretty much out of options though I will probably still go give it a try

@Florian *******

I am not sure but will ask when I go there, if all borders are closed I guess it's back home to visit. Not been back 7 years now so I guess I could do that too though I would love if it was because I wanted to and not because I had to, With the spike in covid in Denmark and winter and Christmas and many people indoors in confined spaces approaching it just seems a little silly to go back now.

Well, it was good fun while it lasted

@Florian *******

I was afraid it would be so. I'm doing the VISA on Friday and will either fly back to Scandinavia or go hide out in a hotel room in one of the neighboring countries for 4 - 5 months if / when I get denied. After coming here for 30 years, getting kicked out when you have the money to live here really sucks and if it wasn't for me speaking Thai and having many friends here, I would move to another country :(

Anyway, hope you figure something out

@Florian *******

how did things work out ?

@Brett ********

I just returned from Laos an hour ago and got my new tourist visa, no questions asked.

Take the Nakon Chai Air VIP bus from bkk for 700 baht and get dropped off at the border. Laos VISA 1.500 baht, taxi to Thai embassy 300 baht. One night in hotel about 600 baht. Thai VISA 1.000 baht and another 300 baht to the border and bus station in Nong Khai.

Remember to book appointment online before you go

You might want to fly there instead but with the virus about I prefer an overnight half empty VIP bus with good leg room and movies but your call (y)

Med mindre du kan faa dispensation. Er selv 45

Netop dispensation fra Dk og du burde vaere ok (y)

Saa mangler du bare pension visa I Thailand

Du kan faa pensions visa fra 50. Hvis konen skal arbejde maa hun faa sig en arbejdstilladelse. Check med pension I Dk hvor laenge du maa vaere ude af Dk om aaret paa en pension. Mener ikke du kan leve her fuld tid som pensionist men du maa checke I Dk