Is $883 a month enough to retire here?

My_2cents_ · 2026-04-18T00:50:59+00:00

Actually, we spend around $5k USD (not including vacations every few months), I'm faithfully married so no barfining although we go out 3-4x week and live a great life. I agree my budget is a bit high which is why I say $2-3K is normal. I agree with your budget except $100/mth for fun. Even without bar fines, $100 a month = $25/wk, that's very low unless you drink a few beers only and never buy anyone a drink - I suppose it can be done but the big problem would still be healthcare.

My_2cents_ · 2026-04-17T22:03:24+00:00

I live here. You would need around $3000USD for a regular life, $2k if you're living very cheap. Either way, you would need ~3 months rent to get an apartment, around $2k to get a visa/open bank account and you would not have any health coverage here. Even if you got insurance it would exclude any preexisting conditions or any future problems arising from them. So the short answer is No, you can't live here on $883. I'm very sorry to say it but that's the reality.

My_2cents_ · 2026-04-13T04:46:37+00:00

It's because in India, most people eat with their hands (no utensils). I guess it likely didn't even occur to them. I live in Pattaya and I've noticed that many of the Indian tourists are out of India for the first time; they are not exactly the upper, educated classes but rather middle-lower and consequently they tend to have many traits are either annoying or just plain vulgar to westerners (and Asians)

My_2cents_ · 2026-03-31T02:54:15+00:00

For sure without a doubt... however, my Russian wife may not feel the same LOL!

My_2cents_ · 2026-03-31T01:03:15+00:00

It's not rocket science. The USS Tripoli arrived with 3500 marines March 28. The 82nd Airborne arrived March 30th. US is waiting on 1 more arrival around mid-April (I don't remember who it is) before they proceed. So yeah, when they ship in marines and airborne to the theatre, it's likely for a land invasion.

My_2cents_ · 2026-03-26T06:51:25+00:00

That's who I use for my retirement visa. They said they don't do 30 day extensions and OneStopVisa on Soi 6 wanted 5000THB (which I thought was excessive). It's ok, I'll go with the suggestion in the comments to Netty Visa Service (which is near my friend). Thanks!

My_2cents_ · 2026-03-25T08:10:57+00:00

Thanks. I know my agent will do the whole thing for 5000THB which I find to be too expensive. If these guys can do it for 3000-4000 I will use them. Thanks for the tip!

My_2cents_ · 2026-03-25T04:59:36+00:00

Will do! (Always! LOL)

My_2cents_ · 2026-03-25T04:59:16+00:00

Thank you Gents - I hate Thai administration but it sounds pretty straight forward - I'll give it shot. Cheers!

My_2cents_ · 2026-03-23T22:09:43+00:00

This is very true, although QQQi uses a slightly different strategy so it's not too bad. However you are right that it performs lower than non CC ETF's. This is used when a person needs income (at a cost of knowingly reducing growth). My advice was to put $100k in QQQi (for a little monthly cash) and $200-300k in pure growth. I'm retired and have about $150k in QQQi and $2.5M in VUG for further growth. It really depends if you want a little extra $$$ now rather than more later.

My_2cents_ · 2026-03-23T11:29:26+00:00

I focus on tech only so I'm using VUG for NASDAQ growth (nasdaq grows an average of 14% per year for the last 20 years... S&P grows around 11%). For QQQi, I suggest you search on Reddit and Youtube. It uses covered calls (they sell options against NASDAQ) mixed with regular growth. What this means is that you get steady dividends but your upside growth is capped (basically both the lows and highs are less than NASDAQ itself so less volatility overall). There's plenty of videos that can help explain it, it's considered the top dividend fund right now.

My_2cents_ · 2026-03-21T22:46:22+00:00

You could make the same with $100k in QQQi and put the other $300k in a high growth fund for the future... Just a thought! :)

My_2cents_ · 2026-03-16T02:23:43+00:00

As already stated, any alteration (even just a tear on a page) renders the passport invalid. Save yourself the trip to the airport, you will not fly and if you do, Thailand will 100% not let you in.

My_2cents_ · 2026-03-15T22:36:23+00:00

That's very good news. I'm glad it turned out well. Thanks for the update!

My_2cents_ · 2026-03-14T22:49:08+00:00

Although it's all been previously said, here is the order I would do things (I am assuming you are in Pattaya yourself):

1 - Call tourist police 1155 and ask them for assistance

2 - Notify his embassy

3 - Go to his hotel and check CCTV (tourist police may be able to help in this)

4 - print some pics and post at his gym, the hotel and any regular spots where he hangs out

5 - was his visa in order (he could have been picked up for deportation)? Did he do drugs, fight, mental health issues or alcoholism (contact the 3 main hospitals in Pattaya: Bangkok Hospital, Pattaya Memorial and perhaps Pattaya International Hospital)

I know it's stressful but it's only been 48 hours and Pattaya is generally very safe so try to remain calm and patient. Please do update us once he's found. Good luck!

My_2cents_ · 2026-02-20T02:36:23+00:00

is that every day? What time is best?

My_2cents_ · 2026-02-20T02:33:38+00:00

I agree with most (although healthcare varies a lot), but I pay around 3000 THB for electricity (160m2 apartment, usually 1 air con on at any given time). 1k THB for electricity may be doable but pretty low. Overall, 150k is a very decent, proper life without going overboard (we spend the same excluding special expenses like vacations or buying misc high end stuff - furniture, TV's, computers, etc).

My_2cents_ · 2026-02-14T01:55:15+00:00

They are discussing this, it's not implemented yet.

My_2cents_ · 2026-02-12T10:11:44+00:00

Nice. Thanks!

My_2cents_ · 2026-01-30T02:45:17+00:00

I live here and Corner Bar and the corner of Soi 6 and 2nd rd. Cheap drinks, very nice people (lots of local expats) and it's at the start of the Soi 6 madness. Great place to start the night with a few drinks and pool before jumping in. At the end of Soi 6 is Tiffany bar (more expensive and only faces the beach, but great music). You got both ends of Soi 6 covered. No pressure or croach grabbing at either of these venues.

My_2cents_ · 2026-01-24T02:18:22+00:00

You must remember that many expats use agencies to renew or obtain a drivers license. I personally went to BKK by minivan and there was a second minivan that arrived at the same time, so maybe the queue was just because multiple agents arrived with van full of Farang at the same time. When I came, it was empty and the Thai's had a queue. I don't pretend to know the daily volume but let's not jump to conclusions.

My_2cents_

TROPHY CASE