If I move to Thailand it will be with a single suitcase - maybe one that qualifies as cabin luggage. I have long got over the desire to take my life's detritus everywhere with me. I'll need to buy/rent a well-furnished condo.
Open Thai bank account is relatively easy. All you need a mobile phone with Thai number ( you can get it at airport) , visa longer than 30 days and some letter from legal attorney ( I used Siam Legal). It took me around 3 hours from visit to legal office to prepare some paper and open account at Bangkok bank. Of course some creativity is always required in Thailand.
Long Term Residence and Elite (Privilege) visas include multi entry. Also, why not just move to Thailand with suitcases only. There is no need for an expensive mover and have to pay customs taxes. My wife and lived in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur for 5 months with just 3 suitcases and we didn't miss anything. I would go back to USA once a year to see children and grandchildren. I would have an opportunity to bring more things then.😮
Did research on Bangkok Bank, which has a pass-through branch in New York City and is on the ACH transfer network between U.S. banks and other entities. In fact for Americans you can set up direct deposit between Bangkok Bank and the Social Security Administration. I can not speak to other banks. Bangkok Bank has all the paperwork on their website. The Thai government insures up to one million Thai BAHT per depositor in Thai bank accounts.
That’s really helpful information. I was researching HSBC and noticed they do business in Thailand as well, and have a banking center in Bangkok, and appear to have an affiliation with Bangkok Bank ATMS and branches as well. I’ve heard several stories about what a pain it is to give Thai banks your money, and seems like it should be easier. Would be awesome to just get this all set up from the states before getting to Thailand.
I JUST made a transfer through my Bank of America account to Bangkok Bank. Once you set it up it easy to just click on the accounts you want to pull and send to.
I'm excited for the big move (probably within '24). You have no idea how much this new channel is exactly what I need- or maybe you do lol! I'll be heeding your advice on everything you dish out, so don't hold back anything!! Thanks again, Chris.
I'm on vacation in the Caribbean right now. I've been watching your videos since I got back from Thailand a month ago. I think my whole family are going to pull the trigger this year. We're 40 and my parents 70.
All I can say, from one Canadian to another, is - THANK YOU ! Thank you for creating this channel, and thank you for staying who you are - a Thai - Canadian !
Hey Chris. Great content. Fellow Canadian here. Not living in Thailand now, but considering an ED visa when we retire in 2ish years. We've travelled to SEA a few times. On our 2nd trip, we booked an appointment with a Thai hospital to get all the immunizations we would need for travelling throughout the area. It was expensive but would have been about 20x more expensive here in Canada. The immunizations are the same but costs are based on GDP, so much more affordable in Thailand. The doctors we met were Internationally educated, spoke fantastic English and were extremely friendly, helpful and interested.
Hey Mr Parker , I decided to move to Thailand , most likely to Hua Hin after viewing your recent health check video. I visited Thailand for 3 weeks last month ,Bangkok ,Hua Hin and Pattaya. My desire to move to Thailand became a conviction . So i'm watching all your new videos for the great information you freely give your subscribers . Hope to see you ,your family and friends in Thailand . Have a good one hey !!. Mario from Trois-Rivieres ,Quebec
important ....YOU CAME HERE at a glance ..but every day you will live in Thailand ,in your real mind you will need to escape and GO BACK HOME ...loulou ..thai ...22/12/2004 ..no fake ...reality lol....
Chris I am 72 years old. Will be moving to BK within 5 months. I will be watching every video you put out, not once but repeatedly so I don’t miss anything. Thank you Chris. You are a huge help .
Excited for the moving to Thailand with a dog. That's my biggest obstacle at the moment. My dog is my child and he's my biggest concern about relocating. You are killing Chris! Keep it up brother, we appreciate you!
We are moving our dog in February. Best ones suggest stopover at animal facility in Amsterdam. Great animal rest break. New intl rules must have holes no bigger than inch. Current kennels need chicken wire over side air vents to fix this.
Leaving California on Dec 26th. Landing in Bangkok on the 28th.Did the rent a condo for a month idea and have an agent lined up to show ne long-term options once I'm on the ground. Super excited for this next chapter of life and you've absolutely been one of my inspirations to just get up and make the decision.
I left CA in August, and I am not looking forward to returning to CA for a friends wedding in May 😂 I highly recommend stopping over in Tokyo if you have the time. Helps break up that long flight and not be so jet lagged. I would also recommend doing an Airbnb or monthly rental in a few different areas of Bangkok before settling into a year lease. Asok is great, but can get very intense at times. I’m currently a little further out of city center off Bang O, very chill and peaceful yet still very much Bangkok. Still not quite my Goldilocks zone though. Best of luck, and safe travels!
as someone that has been living in Thailand for a decade, best bit of advice is spend the first few months exploring, don't sign for a lease until you know where you want to live, Chiang Mai, Pattaya/Jomtien, Bangkok, Samui... there are dozens of places I could recommend, but get your method of transport license sorted early on, and go explore , don't fall for a girl, no matter what for the first 3-6 months.. and find your slice of paradise and live your best life
I am 43 now and want to get out of the rat race here in the US in about 10+ years and have been doing research since last year. Ive already had a great party life when I was younger so the nightscene isnt a priority. I just want to vibe out, connect with positive people and live out the rest of my life with as little stress as possible. I appreciate all the videos and I have 10 years to continue my research before deciding. Cheers!!!🎉💚💙
@@stand.6008 well its a 10+ year plan. But 58 is my target. Fortunately having a condo will help finance my goal and being in a corporate career 18 years (currently) with 401k matching really helps.
@@stand.6008 Its a 10+ year plan. Target date is 58 but its just a plan. Who knows what life will throw at me. Fortunately I have a condo in a neighborhood that sells well and corporate career 18 years going strong with matching 401k. Having no kids helps 😆
Thank you Chris! Just arrived in BKK last night for the first time and your videos gave me the confidence and info I needed! Especially your recent arrival video. Thinking about relocating here next year myself. I really appreciate your work!
I sold everything and moved with what I could take on the airplane. Booked 1 month airbnb while looking for a one year lease. That made things so much easier so I would recommend to really think about if you cannot just sell all your things and buy new stuff in Thailand. If the answer is no, think again! Besides way easier logistics you save money and get a nice feeling of freedom when you don't have all that luggage you have been dragging around your whole life. You probably have boxes you never opened after your last move. When I arrived prio was a SIM card, bank account and visa as well as looking for that 1 year lease. Health insurance I bought before moving.
I am so glad you made this video. I am an Australian looking to start a new life in Thailand. I have been living in a thai household for almost 2 years now. I have also been learning the language. But the thing that has stumped me is the Visa, so many options and Very confusing for an Australian looking to relocate 😅
Thank you Chris for this great video, this became so handy because i am now planning to move there in Thailand and all these things that you listed are super important and to have idea at least what to prepare now has really given me realistic picture how to proceed with this whole process of moving there, thanks again!
I lived in Thailand from December 2017 until April 2022. Unfortunately, I had to move back to Australia because Thai insurance companies have an aversion to covering anyone with pre-existing health conditions. They may give you a policy, but they will exclude the most important items. I originally relied on the fact that I could always jump on a plane and go back to Australia for treatment if anything serious happened - Covid put a stop to that.
Which insurance company were you will, I have found the health insurance I used has been fine, I have arthritis and have been covered even through pre exisiting
@@getsmartpaul I have Osteoarthritis and had knee surgery previously, in Thailand tore knee ACL and they couldn't of been more helpful in getting me sorted, they paid for the car service to collect me, take me to my hospital, paid 100% of costs and return car service, and even covered 3 weeks of nursing visits every 2-3 days...way better service than I could have in my home country ..
Hi Chris I am so thankful for both your channels. Because of your channel, I visited Thailand in March this year and decided I was moving to Thailand at the beginning of low season 2024. I have a couple of questions: 1) any tips on how I would find a trusted visa agent? What would be a ballpark of what they charge? 2) I noticed that you didn’t get health insurance through a Thai health insurance agency; is there a reason for that? Best regards Tonya
Good video. I will add from my experience as an American who moved here 2 years ago. Banks/Money. I kept my money in American and kept my credit card. I use ATMs to get cash when I need it. My ATM card with Schwab refunds debt transaction fees every month, so I don't lose money. I do have a Thai bank account where I keep about 75000 baht for cases that my debt card is lost/stolen/damaged. This will float me until I can fly back to America to get a new card; wont' send card to Thailand. Since I have a Thailand Privilege visa, I was able to just walk in and easily get the account with KBank. Another thing on Thai Banks, make sure you pick one that has a lot of locations, not all banks have locations in every city/town. Also, on ATMs, when traveling around the world in general, never let an ATM do the conversion. Always decline it as you will lose money.
19:20 what about for people that own wasps, geckos, ants, crocodiles and/or big cats? native and non native sp. like vespa tropica, polistes carnifex, gekko gecko, rhacodactylus leachianus, harpegnathos venator, paraponera clavata, paleosuchus palpebrosus, crocodylus siamensis, panthera tigris, panthera pardus some species to research for that video i guess.
thank you Chris, I look forward to buying you a beer in Bangkok. I owe you one for letting me dream & now believe that I can make the move to Thailand. Still 5+ years away but I work towards it everyday. Truly appreciate your help, wisdom & advice
Very informative & practical vid ‼️ Myself not yet ready for emigration. Decided the coming years to first stay over 4-5 month during winter time here, (the Netherlands) see how it is compared to just staying in a nice hotel for 10 days ; after doing this for 3-5 years I ll be retired by than and gathered a lot of experience & language skills from which I hope to make a well evaluated decision to make the big switch 😉😅 I can’t wait till Nov this year , for my initial 4-5 months stay in Pattaya
Great video and we will definitely use the check list. We’re about 5 years from retirement - to get our full pensions. We will mostly likely split between abroad and CAN (6/6 months).
You sound like us, a dog and boxes of stuff . Glad to hear we don’t have to sell everything we built up over the years . This has stopped us moving forwards. Thanks for the great Tips . At nearly 70 and still working full time I hope this can be a viable off ramp . We been to Thailand several times and the culture lifestyle is much better than where we are without a prospect of retirement.
I really appreciate both of your channels and all of your information. I'm looking at 7 to 10 years before I will probably be retiring to Thailand but I am doing all my homework and research now. Your information for me is priceless!
You need a drivers licence from your own country/state/province and the International Driving Permit. You need to obtain a Thai driver's licence within 3 months of commencing to reside in Thailand. A International Driving Permit is only valid for up to 3 months of commencing residency in a country - it is a condition stated in the International Driving Permit. Also International Driving Permit is only valid for 12 months. Also under Thai law one needs get a Thai Driver's licence within 3 months. As also both one's Drivers Licence and International Driving Permit needs to be endorsed for the vehicle type one is driving eg, car and/or motorcycle etc.
Bangkok Bank requires a driver's license from your home country. I just opened a bank account last week. Since I was on a non-B, a letter of residency from immigration with a TM30 to immigration was used, even though my rental contract was for only a month. I also suggest that if you can, get the non-O visa processed before you move.
Thank you for all of the replies in my last post and I wanted to clear things up for a better understanding. My and quote "options" are little to none I cannot retire because i'm under the age of 50 so therefore I do not qualify for a retirement Visa at this moment in time. I am not married to a Thai national so that's another one out of the book. I do not have enough to invest in the thai market so again get the picture lol. I do not work I am retired, under the age of 50 so I don't qualify for the work visa and permit. I do make a pension to help sustain my lifestyle so by acquiring the Elite Visa that IS my only option but it has a lot of perks attached and well worth it.
Fantastic info! The only thing I’m struggling to find as I’m looking into moving me and my wife to Bangkok is information on how taxation works in Thailand for example what is the taxation for renting over there and general tax costs. Thanks!
Just a comment on your banking info. About two weeks ago I transferred 1.1M thb from BMO in Canada to Krungsri Bank. It showed up in my thai bank account within 3-4 business days. I used 1M thb of it to buy the elite visa but lol I am not as you say "stinking rich" I just did the math and weighed the options and think it is best for me. I was scared of the retirement visa potentially changing so this way I know I am locked in for 20 years, I got in before Sept 15 changes to the Elite Visa.
Regarding the packing lists for the contents of your boxes; yes you can list general descriptions such as clothes, etc and that will work....until it doesn't. You risk getting a customs agent that for a myriad of reasons decides to take a closer look at your documents and decides he wants something more descriptive. It's much easier to be proactive and list things more descriptively. IE: 10 men's t-shirts, 8 women's dresses etc. Much easier to give more information and not need it than deal with the headaches and delays because you got a customs agent that is bored and looking for something to do.
Thankyou very much for this useful information. We are planning to move to Thailand in a few years. But my wife and I are both not Thai and we are in our 30’s. So it will be a challenge but thanks to your channel it’s going to be a lot easier. 🙏🏼
One thing to note for bank options is that K-Bank just recently bought majority of a crypto exchange, so if you're one of those people who is retiring with plans to dip into your btc investments, there's a good chance that K-Bank will be easy to send to. Instead of someone in the US going from a US exchange to their US bank, then wiring it to their Thai bank, you might be able to link K-Bank to your exchange and just send to K-Bank.
I'm in the Philippines now and will be in Thailand a few weeks from now. I intend to see Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya, and maybe Phuket. Hua Hin really interests me. Philippines is cool but I like the infrastructure of Thailand. Thanks Chris. You and Adam are great and your videos are invaluable.
Did your wife look into a re-entry permit when you leave the country and plan to return. These are availiable at immigration or at the airport. You can get a single or multi entry permit.
Thanks Chris! Love your channel! I’m in Samui now and figuring things out to make the move permanent in May. Your advice is very helpful! Will definitely contact you for a beer with ice once I have a bit more stability here.
Regarding moving boxes, some moving companies require double-walled boxes. Check before you buy any - they may require that the moving company does the packing & boxing.
Hi I hope my answer can help you. Actually, you just walk into the AIS shop in any department store and ask them to open a new number with registration for foreigner. Yes, you are the foreigner. You need to show them your passport with VISA. What kind of visa do you have? just use that visa to register your number. If you have a driving license, it is good for you. If you have a work visa, show them your work permit. 😊
Excellent, thank you for all the information, I may be a year or two out, but learning from you will help me prepare! Thanks for putting this online. Kent
wanted to say hi, your content and person are special. we appreciate you and your beautiful family... hope to connect when I come to Thailand.. thanks for being u
I travelled to Thailand about 30 times before i moved. The first 15 times i went to multiple destinations and spent most my time in phamgan. The second 15 times i went to Pattaya. So i retired to Pattaya. I lasted 8 months then moved to bang saray. Best place to live as you live near beautiful nature and all the hookers on soi6
In Thailand there is now a new visa called LTR Visa: Highly-skilled Professional. if you are an expert in your field. Among the new industries in which Thailand needs workers is the so-called new S-curve industrial, such as robotics, aviation and logistics, biofuels and biochemicals, digital hi-tech, smart electronics, the medical industry, High income tourism and quality tourism, modern vehicles such as EV cars, you will need to have at least 5 years of experience and expertise in that field when companies in these industries hire you. They will make this visa for you. With work permit which is a work group with very high income (labor wage rate in Thailand Employment rate of foreign workers with high skills)
Thank you so much for your advice. Yes, there's a lot of us interested in a better life, and there's probably gonna be a lot more soon, as shit is getting increasingly ridiculous in our so called first world countries. It's not just about retirement anymore, I'm in my early 40s with a very well paying job but I just wanna get tf out as soon as I possibly can.
Some very useful stuff here Chris, I'm just waiting for my house sale to go through and then I'm moving over to live in Jomtien around Feb/March 2024, I'll be in Bangkok to begin with but would be great to pick you brains a bit more on arrival.
We plan to spend two months on Phuket (we’ve been there several times, we’re retired) and find a long term rental. But now, what’s new from your video is that we should be ready when coming back home from this preparation trip, meaning we should have canceled our lease arrangement here and have arranged for moving one month later already. Before watching your video, we thought to sign a long term lease there about 3 or 4 months before moving. This would give us plenty of time to arrange for everything. But this seems not recommended. It just feels a bit odd to cancel everything here without having a new rental agreement. Thanks
And how about like a digital entrepreneur, is it smart to like also transport your "home" office like desk, monitors, chair to Thailand or are there good "co working" spaces around bangkok where they like include a good desk/chair and have the option for monitors or maybe better to buy new ones of there since shipping cost? Or maybe take a extra suitcase and place the monitors in there?
per bangkok bank website no limit on funds transferred from abroad. however must specify purpose of funds for reporting to bank of thailand by bangkok bank.
Thanks you so much for your videos!! I am still in the phase of dreaming, not yet making detailled plans to move to Thailand. But I have two concerns, where I am interested in hearing your and other‘s opinions: 1) Dont you miss your family, especially your children and grandchildren? How often do you see them? 2) what are you doing the whole day if you are not a successful RU-vidr? Maybe 2 or 3 months I can spend my time with traveling in Thailand and doing sightseeing. but after half a year or more I might need to have a „job“. I dont expect that someone would want to see my videos . 😅
Have a yard sale and send 90% of your things. There are very few things that you can not get here in Thailand. Only pack your summer clothes and edit your collection down to fit in one large piece of luggage. Think about your property this way...in the last two years have you used or looked at those things at least once or twice. If not, time to say goodbye to them. I am referring to your mementos and heirlooms. Do you really need those things to fulfill your life in Thailand? If not, give it away to family members or friends.
I never comment on videos. You have a lot of good information. I’m considering visiting a few countries over there then making a plan to move. Thanks for all of the info!
Hey Chris! One thing I am struggling finding answers for is how to get Thai phone number. I know all providers have Tourist SIMs with good deals directly on the airport, but to my understanding those SIMs are not "permanent" so to speak. Whats the best way to get a regular Thai phone number, lets say from AIS?
I am planning to get Visa here at Thailand embassy in Florida. I will bring my cat. I plan to bring 3 suit cases., period. No moving company. I plan to rent for 3 or 4 months and buy a condo. Most things will be furnished. I can buy what extras I need there. I have talked to an insurance agent in Thailand, so I know what that will cost. I will have the $23,000.00 to transfer to Thailand bank. I plan on using a lawyer to help with that and buying the condo. I figure even with health insurance included, as long as I own my own condo, I should be able to live on $800.00 a month. Am I crazy? I am 76. I don't have 50 years ahead of me..
Hi, Chris. Glad you didn't up and leave! I followed your video advice and applied for a 'wealthy pensioner' LTR visa after meeting with the woman you interviewed. After a year of trying, I gave up. They have this inflexible health related requirement that either you have $100,000 USD in essentially permanent deposit in cash in a savings account (can be abroad) a full year BEFORE you apply (??) or you have to buy expensive (at my age) unneeded medical insurance. Here's the problem: in inflationary times, I lose $5,000 a year on that $100,000, as they won't allow it to be in 'Money Market account' earning interest! Has to be plain cash. I'm a healthy young 75 on the way to 100, but the medical premiums are very high and can go up without limit. As I'm only here 5 ¾ months a year, and get my medical care free in USA, it's a total waste. My income is 10x their requirement, and I have more than $2M in savings (invested well) so paying for my own health care isn't an issue, but that doesn't matter. They will not negotiate. I think the medical industry has lobbied for this, as it's lucrative for them. I dislike being played, so I said no. I'm just continuing with my annual retirement visa, qualifying under the 'deposit at least 65,000 THB a month' provision, provided by my Social Security monthly payment. No medical required, at least in Isaan.
Hi Chris, I have been watching your videos for over one year- maybe more. Thank you so much for great advice. I expect to relocate in Feb / March 2024 from Ireland to Thailand and marry my Thai girlfriend, whom I have been with for 7 years. Fortunately we already have a home in Rangsit.
Hi Chris, I am glad I found your channels. I visited Bangkok and Phuket in September this year. I love it so much that I will be back very soon. I have been thinking about applying for the Thailand visa. Thanks so much!
i planning to check out Chiang Mai this Sep and hopefully getting an edu visa next year and if all goes well, i may plan to "semi retire" in Thailand if possible ☺️
Great video Chris. I would love a video about car buying/ownership in Thailand. I know there are a lot of videos on youtube already but would love one from you.
I bought a car from a Honda dealer here last year. It was pretty easy. I just needed a residency certificate, my passport with my long term visa, and then paid for the car in full with my banking app. The staff at the dealership took care of of the documentation and registration. I just bought a motorcycle from another expat and that was also pretty easy. He got the list of required documents from the local Department of Land Transportation.
Great video! Thanks! If you get round to it, would love to hear some of your ideas about moving there with young kids. Heard there are different types of schools with (very) different types of fees. And maybe other stuff to think about?
Hey Chris, I look forward to you talking about bringing your pet to Thailand. I commented about that 2 videos ago and it's a big deal for many. We would only fly over with our small dog if we could keep him with us in the cabin and all airlines on our second leg of flights (from Asia) to Thailand, did not allow pets in cabin. Air Canada recently added a direct flight from Vancouver to Bangkok, so we can now bring our dog! Our plan is now to come over for 2-3 months next fall. Looking forward to more info you have regarding pets :) 🐕🍁
Hey Clarissa, there is another youtuber called "Narrow Gate". Him, his wide and their 2 dogs moved to Thailand from the USA during covid. If you go back to his first few videos they go into detail the steps they took. Maybe its a little different since its USA vs Covid.
