Hi All;
Like many, I have been researching Long Stay Visa options (post COVID), plus many other things Re: moving to Thailand (from Australia).
Firstly the new Special Tourist Visa looks like a flop - it may improve post COVID, time will tell.
The Thai Elite Visa is looking like a good option – the 5-year Visa for 500k Baht.
This avoids the 800k in Thai Bank requirement for Retirement Visa (this 800k is essentially locked in the Bank the whole time – i.e. you can't withdraw down below the 800k).
ED Visa – Has costs and takes up time to attend classes. Not a bad thing if it's a course you want to learn – although comes with the risk of no Visa Extension each 12m renewal period. ED Costs – approx 40 - 50k per year – (½ of what the Elite Visa will cost). As for learning Thai in a school – not for me, if I struggled to learn, I would be sweating bullets trying to pass the tests.
Elite Visa benefits;
Come and go from Thailand as often as you like.
Walk straight through Immigration every time – nil lines.
Limo to/from airport.
Lots of free golf.
1x Free medical check-up per year.
Medical Insurance – not sure on the requirements here – I would want some form of Insurance regardless, although the ‘official' requirements may be more relaxed?
Have I missed anything, or above info incorrect?
Cheers;
Paul