Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing Visa options for "young retirees". The reason I thought of making this video is I was reading recent article from mondaq, that's mondaq.com, the article is titled: Reasons to retire in Thailand Under a Thailand Elite Visa Rather Than a Retirement Visa. Now just the title alone, there's going to be limited circumstances where that analysis is going to apply and I will get into that in a minute. Long story short, for the most part in cases involving folks who are over 50, a standard Retirement Visa oftentimes, I'm not saying all the time, but oftentimes is the most optimal way to retire in Thailand when it comes to the Visa. 

That said, let me quote directly: "Dynamic young retirees from all over the world are looking at Thailand as a land of opportunity to enjoy a peaceful, luxurious and affordable retirement." Quoting further: "Whilst on its face, the Thai Retirement Visa may seem like the natural route, those that consult with professionals are often advised to walk away from the Retirement Visa and instead opt for one of the various types of Thailand Elite Visa for a multitude of reasons." So again, this “young retirees”, well what is that? If you are under 50, you are not eligible at all for a Thai Retirement Visa. However if you are over 50 you are probably, I mean depending on circumstances, are probably eligible for a Retirement Visa and quite honestly, in many cases, I am not saying all cases but in a lot of cases, a Retirement Visa is going to be a better option compared to what is called the Thailand Elite Visa in a lot of different ways. Most notably, you are not having to put money in up front and you are not having to buy into a membership. When you get a Thai Elite Visa for example, sort of the minimum Thai Elite Visa is 600,000 Baht for 5 years of status and again that is money just paid in for the membership so the Visa comes with that membership but that money is gone effectively. So you paid in for that. Whereas with a Retirement Visa, standard Retirement Visa, yes you need to show money in a bank account but the money remains yours. It remains the property of the person who is using the Retirement Visa and if they opt to leave Thailand, they can just withdraw their money and go on home. 

Now for young retirees, yeah Thailand Elite might be the most optimal set, most optimal remedy if you will, to the need to remain in Thailand long term because they haven't hit 50. Now again as we have noted in other videos, Thailand Elite Visas do not confer work authorization so for those purposes they are not overly optimal. Meanwhile, Thailand Elite Visas are, yeah okay they are kind of like a really long Tourist Visa. They can be very useful, I find many folks find it to be rather convenient but note, if you remain in Thailand you still have to do one year visa extensions; 90 day reporting is still required with the Thailand Elite Visa so it's not like you are getting out of anything for lack of a better term, you're just getting a more stable or known quantity if you will amount of lawful status here in the Kingdom of Thailand.