In Thailand when you say, “ha ha, I win,” for sure you not win.

@John **********

Living in the USA in abject poverty for years, possibly decades, out of fear of the consequences of a possible heart-attack or similar seems an extraordinarily poor life choice to me.

My high floor two-bedroom sea-view condo with rooftop pool here costs me LESS per month than my parking space back in the US.

I would rather live well here and risk dying a bit prematurely than live forever in abject poverty in a country I don’t even recognize any more - all as a slave to medicare.

Have you researched the situation for 65+ y/o retirees in the USA these days? It’s pretty dire.

And incidentally, health care in the USA is not exactly stellar.

It is possible to get insurance here. And there are hospitals above government ones but below Bumrungrad that give great and inexpensive service.

But of course, up to you.

@John **********

Many people in their 70s can’t afford housing and food in the US. Medicare is nice, but not sure I want to live in a van and poop in the bushes to access it.

@Ed *******

I suspect you are going to love it here. It is so much better than even the best youtubers portray. Endless possibilities, no matter your lifestyle and activity choices.

And you get back what you give it. Grumpies get grumpier. Happy get happier.

Enjoy.

@Ed *******

Annual visa renewals (technically, extensions) from Maneerat agency with one re-entry permit currently run 13,500baht. If you travel a lot you can get a multiple re-entry permit for 3000-ish more.

You have to report to immigration every 90 days. Most agents do it for you, some for free, some charge 100baht.

@Ed *******

Sounds like you are already better equipped than most to be happy here!

Please feel free to hit me up when you get here. I’m retired here living only on my SS, and am extremely comfortable. I can give you lots of advice. Happy to sit down for a coffee or beer.

I will warn you that a high percentage of expats here (US and otherwise) are grumpy far-right wingers. Lots of racists. I mostly avoid the community. Not much into nightlife.

But like all generalizations, this one has its flaws and there are many fine upstanding guys living here.

Definitely sort your Wise before arrival if you can.

Wise just put a bunch of work into making it work better here in Thailand. Been literally flawless for me for the last year or so. Transfers usually take about 10 seconds from hitting “GO.”

@Ed *******

Chances are very good you won’t be asked for a RT ticket. But you could be. A full ticket back to the US is unnecessary. Just buy a cheap ticket to vietnam or Cambodia if you’re really worried about it.

You’ll find this ambiguity a constant thing in Thailand. There’s the letter of the law, what actually happens most the time, and then the worst possible thing that happens less than 1% of the time.

So it’s best to just embrace the ambiguity. Easier for some than others!

@Mike ********

What does he need a lawyer for?

@Ed *******

Yeah, actually. Long-term expats tend to be passionate about their breakfasts. You can strike up a conversation in a restaurant that will yield a wealth of information from someone actually living here.

When I got here I spoke with a dozen or so bar and restaurant owners and learned how they do things. Some had geen here for decades. There info has served me well.

I suggested Pattaya before discovering you plan to live elsewhere. Of course you can do everything in a different city and there are advantages to getting your Visa from an immigration office near where you plan to live.

On the other hand Pattaya has a huge concentration of expats and established trustworthy businesses serving our needs, so it may be easy to start here.

I only mention an American bank because I assumed you would be collecting Soc security. While you can have it directly deposited in a Thai Bank and many do, I prefer the safety of having it in a US bank first.

But if you have a Brazilian bank that will work too. Just remember that lovely as Thailand is, it is a cruel and heartless place to have money issues.

ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN B. 🤗

@Ed *******

Insurance is not legally required for a non-O retirement visa obtained in-country, but it’s a real gamble if you don’t buy some here. I strongly suggest gritting your teeth and buying whatever you can afford once your visa is sorted.

Comparing the probability of facing serious problems without insurance, compared to the risk of problems if you use an agent for your visa, you’re literally taking several orders of magnitude more risk by staying long term without local health insurance.