Thailand eyes senior tourism boom

[reader]

From Pattaya Mail

Thailand is poised to become Asia’s leading destination for senior tourism and long-term retirement living as the country adapts to the challenges of an ageing population. With 20% of its 66 million people—some 13 million individuals—already aged over 60, and a further 16 million set to join them within the next two decades, demand for senior-friendly travel and accommodation is surging.

Recognising the vast potential of the “Silver Economy,” leading hospitality, healthcare, and real estate firms are investing in tailored travel experiences, wellness tourism, and residential care communities to meet the needs of senior travellers and retirees. The senior care sector alone is expected to grow by 30% annually, reaching a value of 20 billion baht by 2033.

With its world-class healthcare system, affordable cost of living, and exceptional hospitality, Thailand is well-positioned to attract senior travellers from around the world. Existing senior-focused developments, such as Sawangkanives by the Thai Red Cross and Baan Lalisa Healthcare Service Group, have already proven the strong demand for high-quality, affordable senior living options.

Continues at

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/thailand-eyes-senior-tourism-boom-as-ageing-population-grows-495971

[Keithambrose]

25 minutes ago, reader said:

From Pattaya Mail

Thailand is poised to become Asia’s leading destination for senior tourism and long-term retirement living as the country adapts to the challenges of an ageing population. With 20% of its 66 million people—some 13 million individuals—already aged over 60, and a further 16 million set to join them within the next two decades, demand for senior-friendly travel and accommodation is surging.

Recognising the vast potential of the “Silver Economy,” leading hospitality, healthcare, and real estate firms are investing in tailored travel experiences, wellness tourism, and residential care communities to meet the needs of senior travellers and retirees. The senior care sector alone is expected to grow by 30% annually, reaching a value of 20 billion baht by 2033.

With its world-class healthcare system, affordable cost of living, and exceptional hospitality, Thailand is well-positioned to attract senior travellers from around the world. Existing senior-focused developments, such as Sawangkanives by the Thai Red Cross and Baan Lalisa Healthcare Service Group, have already proven the strong demand for high-quality, affordable senior living options.

Continues at

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/thailand-eyes-senior-tourism-boom-as-ageing-population-grows-495971

So why do they make visa applications so complex, and threaten  to tax overseas income?

[reader]

9 minutes ago, Keithambrose said:

So why do they make visa applications so complex, and threaten  to tax overseas income?

Exactly!

[bkkmfj2648]

3 hours ago, reader said:

Exactly!

+1

[PeterRS]

4 hours ago, reader said:

The senior care sector alone is expected to grow by 30% annually, reaching a value of 20 billion baht by 2033.

Senior care, as opposed to medical tourism, requires long term visas. Nothing so far leads me to believe that the Thai government is doing anything that would make this any Baht less than the present retirement visas. I have an Australian friend with whom I used to work for several years who has been suffering from Alzheimers since early 2019. It's desperately sad that he no longer has any memory at all but he and his partner live in Chiang Mai. Their combined income is under the Bt. 65,000 per month each. I do not want to intrude on their privacy by asking how they get round the retirement visa regulations. Certainly they could not take the 800K route nor the Thailand Elite/Privilege.

Given that senior care for most involves two people, it is wholly unrealistic to expect all to tall under the present financial guidelines. That's certainly true for most in the older generation from the UK and some parts of Europe. Rather than first announce an intention to go after the senior care market, it would have helped if the government had announced how they would make this financially possible visa-wise. But then expecting the Thai government to be logical is a perfect example of the illogic.

[bkkmfj2648]

1 hour ago, PeterRS said:

Rather than first announce an intention to go after the senior care market, it would have helped if the government had announced how they would make this financially possible visa-wise. But then expecting the Thai government to be logical is a perfect example of the illogic.

I agree 200%

In addition to what you stated above, there is the additional problem of having to worry about paying Thai taxes on any "assessable income" that you would transfer into Thailand during a taxable year - if you reside in the Kingdom for more than 180 days in a tax year.

My goal is to eventually qualify for the:

Board of Investment (BOI) sponsored Long Term Resident (LTR) Wealthy Pensioner visa which:

- can be for 10 years with a recertification required at year 5,

- is exempt from taxes.

But, to qualify, you must have more than $80.000 USD in passive income as demonstrated in your prior 2 years of home country tax filings. So, I won't qualify until my age 69.

So for now, I continue on the 1 year non immigrant O retirement visa, where every 2nd year I will need to stay out of Thailand for 180 days to avoid being a tax resident in the year that I will top up my Thai bank account for the fiscal biennium.

 

[floridarob]

7 hours ago, reader said:

Thailand is poised to become Asia’s leading destination for senior tourism

I think this board is proof positive that it's true, I'm speaking from my geriatric perspective  lol

[vinapu]

16 hours ago, Keithambrose said:

So why do they make visa applications so complex, and threaten  to tax overseas income?

left hand doesn't know what right hand is doing case

[Keithambrose]

1 hour ago, vinapu said:

left hand doesn't know what right hand is doing case

Or, left hand doesn't care what right hand is doing!

[floridarob]

33 minutes ago, Keithambrose said:

Or, left hand doesn't care what right hand is doing!

Or, left hand doesn't know there IS a right hand 😏

[bkkmfj2648]

Or both hands are too full of stuffed brown envelopes 🤑🤑 to care...