Copyright The Retire In Thailand Handbook 1st edition 2017 Text by Gerald Hogg eisbn 978-1-64153-061-3 Print ISBN 978-1-64153-062-0 Published by www.booksmango.com E-mail: info@booksmango.com Text & cover page Copyright Gerald Hogg No part of this book may be reproduced, copied, stored or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from the publisher This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author, editors, researchers, copyright holder, publisher and contributors. The information provided within this book is for general informational purposes only. While we try to keep the information up-to-date and correct, there are no representations or warranties, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in this book for any purpose. Any use of this information is at your own risk.
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Gerald HoGG about the author Gerald Hogg is originally from the UK and emigrated to Australia in 1974. He has traveled the world working on cruise ships, Antarctic supply ships, custom patrol vessels, rig tenders, and oil tankers. In the capacity of his work as a chef he has also lived in Jamaica, Bermuda, Singapore, The Falkland Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and the USA. He has now retired to Thailand where he lives in Phuket and travels extensively throughout SE Asia. My first six months in Thailand was frustrating. When I dreamed about retiring in Thailand, I thought that when I arrived I would get my retirement visa, rent a condo, buy a vehicle, then spend my time exploring my new country, going to the beach, going out for meals and meeting new friends. Unfortunately reality took over and I spent most of my time dealing with Thai bureaucracy, and trying to sort out the endless problems that arise when moving to a new country. Back in Australia I already had a visa, my own house, my own car, medical insurance, driving license, bank accounts, credit rating, doctor and dentist. Moving to another country I was more or less starting my life over and I needed to establish myself within the Thai system. Government, banking, medical, everything that was just part of my everyday life at home, I had to re create in Thailand. Hopefully this book will give you the information you need to avoid most of the problems that I had, and allow you to retire to this wonderful country with confidence and assurance as well as saving you time, money and your sanity. I wish I had been able to read this book before I left Australia. 4
Gerald Hogg The ReTiRe in Thailand handbook Phuket Thailand September 2017 5
Gerald HoGG introduction I knew the first time I visited Thailand 35 years ago that this would be the country where I would retire. I have traveled all over the world and lived in many countries, but no other country had the same affect on me as Thailand did. It was love at first sight. Even though the Land Of Smiles is a magnificent country to live in, and the people so accepting of overseas visitors, the government bureaucracy and the reams of paperwork that go with it can be daunting to even the most knowledgeable and well-informed traveler. This book is not about telling you what a great country Thailand is, and all of the fantastic things you can see and do here, I have assumed that you have either visited Thailand as a tourist or read or watched everything you can get your hands on about Thailand, if you are considering retiring here. There are so many blogs and websites out there that explain how beautiful Thailand is. This book is a guide to get you through the most difficult and most important time of living in a new country, the first six months. The first six months can make or break you. I arrived in Bangkok in February of 2017 ready to start my new life in retirement. Within the first half hour I realised that I had made my first big mistake by entering Thailand on a Visa on Arrival visa, (the visa I always came to Thailand on). From then I continued to make lots of costly mistakes in most things I did in my first six months here. One of the main reasons I have written this book is to 6
7 The ReTiRe in Thailand handbook help future retirees avoid the pitfalls and frustrations that cost me time and money when I retired here. This book will help you through the Thai government system and its obsession it has with paperwork, which you will have to deal with regularly if you intend to make Thailand your new home in retirement. Other important topics this book covers include: What to bring, what not to bring to Thailand with you. How to apply for a Retirement Visa from your own country. How to apply for a Retirement Visa from within Thailand. How to open a Thai bank account Transferring your pension to your new Thailand bank to avoid bank fees. How to buy a vehicle. How to apply for a Thai driving license. How to rent a condo or a house. How to buy a property in Thailand. How to obtain suitable medical insurance cover. Healthcare and dental costs Best retirement locations within Thailand Advice for single retirees ***I have kept al prices in Thai Baht, there are many currency converters online.
Gerald HoGG Chapter 1. Why Choose thailand as a retirement destination Nowadays many countries are opening their doors to allow retirees in to their countries. Some of the more popular countries are Belize, Panama and Mexico in Central America and Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos and the emerging Vietnam in South East Asia. So out all the countries vying for your pension dollar why choose Thailand. Being on a pension, the main criteria when looking to retire overseas for most retirees, is the low cost of living. Thailand is not as cheap to live in as it used to be, but compared with Australia, the UK, the USA and most western countries, you can live a good lifestyle in a great climate for a fraction of what it will cost you to live in your own country. Depending on your retirement income you can live a life of complete luxury or a more modest way of life, but still have a great lifestyle, in a tropical climate whatever your income. Eating out is very affordable, phone calls are extremely cheap and free if you use Viber, Line or Skype. The Internet in Thailand is also very good and cheap. It is usually free in most hotels, restaurants, coffee shops and bars. The Internet is also usually included in your rent if renting a condo. Other reasons to consider Thailand are: THE CLIMATE Thailand s weather is wonderful for at least eight months of the year. OK you have the rainy season, I find that 8