Young If one is UK non resident as living abroad then in the UK one is only entitled to urgent non ongoing care in event of a problem. It is necessary to be in the UK and resident to have full NHS government cover and private hospital is very, very expensive in the UK at least so a few thousand to cover this wouldn't work. One would need to have saved if British the equivalent of 3 months of private hospital that could be USD100K if one is unlucky. I have looked into all this and have worked abroad for about 25 years since graduation personally. The first 10 years as an expat so my company then covered this. It's not a small issue or cost sadly if one is self employed or retired, although this obviously depends on one's circumstances, age and country of origin. To rely on one's home country in the event of an initial issue can be naive, at least if one is British. I assume that they may also apply to citizens of some other countries, I'm unsure

Young Thank you Young. An interesting perspective

One could go self insured when "younger" and in general good health assuming one can afford to cover a broken leg or short hospital stay if it happens. It's person choice and I've done this in KL in my 40s where health costs private are Thai levels or below and most private Drs UK or Oz trained In ones 50s or 60s this may be more of a gamble as the possibility of a more serious or longer term issue obviously increases, I'm now considering insurance for peace of mind and assume that many would even if they could "self insure" in theory as they get to 50+ or 60+ - a personal choice and risk clearly

I also have a long term health condition that should not produce side effects or impact my life expectancy within reason and I would expect to pay for the associated pills privately myself separately to any insurer. Kidney related

John Kenealy Very good advice and pointers. Thank you John. I'm on the cusp of the right age for many visas, although will need to and want to continue working I expect on non Thai work as I have my own international micro business focusing on Singapore and to an extent London, I have lived in KL for 10 yrs but now moving to Thailand with my gf who is half Thai and we lived together in KL where she worked as an expat for CISCO. I may go for the DTV or more likely the SMART visa if I can get it, but any considering the retirement visa. She will not need a visa, which helps. But I will need health insurance and have looked at Cigna, although have been a bit put off by their quotations that seem double many others in cost. I not sure what to go for and it is hard in terms of comparing "apples with apples" and all and any tips are useful. Money can be tight at times as my cashflow is very tight at times, although I may be able to access a modest but sufficient pension soon early if I take less and this would get me to the THB65,000 a month although I would struggle with the THB800K deposit unless this can somehow be avoided with the income from the pension etc. All best wishes to you John and everyone with their lives in Thailand and elsewhere. Patrick

I also have a Thai passport holding mixed race gf/partner that is a grad and that was working in KL previously and we lived together in KL and she is now working in Thailand, partly why I'm here, so we may marry in time. But that's another story and it's complex, like most things in life for most of us I guess! Very good luck to everyone whatever our individual positions and circumstances

Lynnette Munoz Very true. Malaysia has the same policy that one must be resident and have a visa before opening a local account. I know this as I lived in KL for years before moving to Thailand. Although Malaysia does make things less confusing in many ways. It's difficult country there in other ways though and getting a Malaysian visa is hard. There is no "cheap" retirement visa option for example, only something complex and expensive that requires far more funds. Thailand offers far more visa options and routes, I will most likely go for SMART visa personally but am also not far off being able to got for a retirement visa, although I will want to work on my laptop (non Thai project) and strictly I understand that this is not possible on a retirement visa, although how the authorities can know one is doing this and whether they care if all projects are non-Thai based I don't know

Sticks'n Stones Can you point to a particular notice or statement regarding this from the government or authorities please? Just to give some sense of security regarding this. Also, is there a set definition re what is pension income eg does this refer to a company pension also. I can take a (smaller) company pension from 50 if I wish, although will not obtain my UK State Pension at whatever level it is at the time until , a long way away currently. Many and sincere thanks for any insight you may have. Patrick

This is particularly interesting Tore. Thanks for sharing with others. How does the release from potential capital gains tax in other countries work please if you know more? Does this apply to gains in all countries or other the one where one's deposit is based and are there set limits or restrictions. Any advice or thoughts greatly appreciated regarding this as this could make the crucial difference to me on whether I reside in Thailand more than 180 days a year or not. Thank you very much and genuinely in advance. Patrick