FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Visa holders: don’t give up retirement dreams yet 

Visa holders: don’t give up retirement dreams yet 

Re:  “Change to visas is more than just a rumour,” Letters, December 8.

I owe Eric Bahrt an apology. Government spokesman Athisit Chainuwat was indeed reported last month as saying the proposed 10-year visa would replace the current one-year retirement option.  The problem, of course, is that the devil is in the unknown detail.
  How will applicants satisfactorily prove their Bt100,000 monthly income given that some embassies provide written confirmation without any proof? Will those unable to qualify for medical insurance automatically be forced out under the new rules? How long in advance must the Bt1.5 million in a Thai bank (instead of income) be deposited? 
  Then there’s the issue of “grandfathering”, the tradition in immigration matters whereby current holders of a one-year visa are unaffected by future rule changes. Eric would benefit from that. Last year, the government announced that a new six-month tourist visa issued in the applicant’s home country would replace the single- and double-entry ones. In fact, they are still available, demonstrating that the government can easily change its mind.
  It’s worth remembering too that any alien can currently apply for a “baby” elite card, lasting five years and costing a one-off Bt500,000.  No age or health restrictions, and the application form is very simple.  If Eric can afford one of those, he can certainly buy me a coffee at the airport.
Barry Kenyon

nationthailand