Liveaboard in Thailand?

[Zygodactyl]

Anyone have insights/experience living on their boat long-term in Thailand? I'm considering it as a retirement option and would want to ship my boat there and preferably just live aboard.

[skipperpete]

Well, it’s going to be expensive initially and you might want to take a look at Malayasia as an alternative. I have several friends and associates who live in Thailand but not live aboard people, they have a boat in a marina but live ashore, mostly in Phuket but a couple in Bangkok. I lived aboard at Yachthaven Phuket for 6 months but commuted to Malaysia every 2 weeks, I got a 30 day visa but my Malaysian registered car only got a 14 day permit....... I enjoyed the drive down to the border and never sought a workaround. Since you’re a lawyer, I’m sure you’ll be able to achieve your goal, it’s definitely possible in Thailand but way easier in Malaysia with the “ Malaysia my second home” option.
Hopefully someone who is actually living aboard legally in Thailand will weigh in with accurate post pandemic information.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by skipperpete

Well, it’s going to be expensive initially and you might want to take a look at Malayasia as an alternative. I have several friends and associates who live in Thailand but not live aboard people, they have a boat in a marina but live ashore, mostly in Phuket but a couple in Bangkok. I lived aboard at Yachthaven Phuket for 6 months but commuted to Malaysia every 2 weeks, I got a 30 day visa but my Malaysian registered car only got a 14 day permit....... I enjoyed the drive down to the border and never sought a workaround. Since you’re a lawyer, I’m sure you’ll be able to achieve your goal, it’s definitely possible in Thailand but way easier in Malaysia with the “ Malaysia my second home” option.
Hopefully someone who is actually living aboard legally in Thailand will weigh in with accurate post pandemic information.

Assuming the OP is over 50 and has a reasonable income, he should be able to get a retirement visa, so he won't have to muck about with border runs.

If he doesn't qualify, worst case get the 60 day tourist visa and 30 day extension (90days total) and that limits border runs to 4 per year. With cheap flights, it's a good excuse to take a weekend somewhere in SE Asia.

You will need a TM-30 (?). It's the form that documents where you are living. I'm not sure how they will view you living on a boat but worst case, rent a really cheap, no air/con room to get your form. I'm betting for a couple thousand baht, a landlord would be willing to set aside a broom closet and give you the form. No one is going to check that you actually stay there.

[Zygodactyl]

Thanks for taking the time and for the insights. I am over 50, meet the income qualifications, and can qualify for a no work senior visa, I think.

[skipperpete]

There are a few things to know about what to do when the ship arrives with your vessel on board. The crews will be keen to unload your yacht and this is often quite hectic if you’re not familiar with the system. The ships crew drive the cranes and the agency specialist crew do the sling placement and.... they do need to board your vessel and they will be wearing boots, no way around that, and they will be working quickly so your role is to have the fenders ready and some long lines available because once in the water you only have a limited window of opportunity to start the engine, check the exhaust water flow, drop off the lines and motor away from a 12 metre high 250 metre long steel wall.
A checklist is very useful and should have notes about the layup carried out before loading a month or more previously so you can be sure that the fuel valves are open, the impeller is in the raw water pump, the shift control works and of course, battery condition. I have a jump start capacitor pack in anticipation of that errrrrr errrrr er clickclick moment
Finally, have the anchor ready for use, not stowed off deck.
Sometimes you have to arrange your own transport out to the ship and often yours is not the only boat to unload hence the time limit. There’s much more to add but this is the bare bones of how it works.

[Emmalina]

Go for it its a great place to live and you can always go look around Indo/Malaysia when you feel like it .

[Emmalina]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Assuming the OP is over 50 and has a reasonable income, he should be able to get a retirement visa, so he won't have to muck about with border runs.

If he doesn't qualify, worst case get the 60 day tourist visa and 30 day extension (90days total) and that limits border runs to 4 per year. With cheap flights, it's a good excuse to take a weekend somewhere in SE Asia.

You will need a TM-30 (?). It's the form that documents where you are living. I'm not sure how they will view you living on a boat but worst case, rent a really cheap, no air/con room to get your form. I'm betting for a couple thousand baht, a landlord would be willing to set aside a broom closet and give you the form. No one is going to check that you actually stay there.

Go stay in a marina for a few day to get your tm30 then you can do it online after that !

[manitou001]

TM30 is all online now.. no papers at the airport anymore (fingerprint machine on entry/exit). There is a long term visa (10yr) for 50 up people . As for where to stay, there's expensive and cheap options..(and various in between). It's a pretty great place. Helps to learn a bit of thai or have a local with you.

[Cruising Roo]

[QUOTE=valhalla360;3747360]Assuming the OP is over 50 and has a reasonable income, he should be able to get a retirement visa, so he won't have to muck about with border runs.

It depends where you base your self. I lived in Pattaya for 4 years and purchased a condo there. Yes if you are over 50 you can get a retirement visa but can not remember if you need to show an income stream. I do know that you need to show a bank balance which is bugger all and many visa agents put the required savings in an account for you to get the visa then they with draw it. Of course ...TIT (This Is Thailand) and it costs you heaps for this "honorable" practice. I have a dear mate who has 2 sail boats in Thailand and has a condo where I owned mine. He spends 9-10 months a year and goes back to Canada to sort things out with his business. He would not live anywhere else frankly and as we speak, he is sailing to Malaysia to meet his visa obligations (leaving the country). When I lived there, after I think 90 days, I would jump on a bus specifically used for “visa runs” to a border solely for that purpose. TIT.
He is financially loaded but does not want a retirement visa for some reason. Thailand has always been a crap place in terms of visa's which is interesting given tourism is the 2nd biggest industry (rice being the 1st). When Covid hit, my condo Western owners needed to run a food “kitchen” because Pattaya id the biggest tourist place in Thailand and people were going hungry because the government could not care less about the people. At one point, they were serving up near 800 meals a day.I have not lived in Malaysia but as long as your not female as it is significantly a Muslim country my mate said it is a nice place to visit. Can not tell you anymore sorry

[Emmalina]

[QUOTE=Cruising Roo;3750015]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Assuming the OP is over 50 and has a reasonable income, he should be able to get a retirement visa, so he won't have to muck about with border runs.

It depends where you base your self. I lived in Pattaya for 4 years and purchased a condo there. Yes if you are over 50 you can get a retirement visa but can not remember if you need to show an income stream. I do know that you need to show a bank balance which is bugger all and many visa agents put the required savings in an account for you to get the visa then they with draw it. Of course ...TIT (This Is Thailand) and it costs you heaps for this "honorable" practice. I have a dear mate who has 2 sail boats in Thailand and has a condo where I owned mine. He spends 9-10 months a year and goes back to Canada to sort things out with his business. He would not live anywhere else frankly and as we speak, he is sailing to Malaysia to meet his visa obligations (leaving the country). When I lived there, after I think 90 days, I would jump on a bus specifically used for “visa runs” to a border solely for that purpose. TIT.
He is financially loaded but does not want a retirement visa for some reason. Thailand has always been a crap place in terms of visa's which is interesting given tourism is the 2nd biggest industry (rice being the 1st). When Covid hit, my condo Western owners needed to run a food “kitchen” because Pattaya id the biggest tourist place in Thailand and people were going hungry because the government could not care less about the people. At one point, they were serving up near 800 meals a day.I have not lived in Malaysia but as long as your not female as it is significantly a Muslim country my mate said it is a nice place to visit. Can not tell you anymore sorry

Rather silly reply ! I travel with my wife around most of SE Asia and religion is not a problem. People are generally very friendly you just need to stay away from what I call the 3 Ps Patong Pattaya and Pat Pong these are the areas that got Thailand its bad image. Its a big place and depends what you want but after 20 years I find it hard going back to Europe.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by Cruising Roo

[ have not lived in Malaysia but as long as your not female as it is significantly a Muslim country my mate said it is a nice place to visit. Can not tell you anymore sorry

I don't think your mate has much of an idea.

I have lived in Malaysia for several months at a time and my wife never had any issues there.
I have female friends there now that have been there for decades.

Of course there are areas where she may have, but I likely would have as well.
And you'd really have to be drawing attention to yourself imho.

But there are areas in Thailand where the same issues may have been had

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sout...and_insurgency

[Cruising Roo]

[QUOTE=Emmalina;3750243]

Originally Posted by Cruising Roo

Rather silly reply ! I travel with my wife around most of SE Asia and religion is not a problem. People are generally very friendly you just need to stay away from what I call the 3 Ps Patong Pattaya and Pat Pong these are the areas that got Thailand its bad image. Its a big place and depends what you want but after 20 years I find it hard going back to Europe.

A comment like "Rather silly reply" can not be ignored.
1. So because you "travelled with your wife around SE Asia" and YOU never found religion a problem means YOU must be 100% right, and anyone else experience is irrelevant...and you think my comment is silly..REALLY
2. Oh so you can assume that because YOU do not like the 3 P's that means that everyone else must agree with you. I lived in Pattaya for 4 years and loved it but my opinion and experience is irrelevant according to you... only your experience matters. Actually I could go on and on but i could not be bothered because I know who is silly and to reply as you did epitomises not just "silly but you clearly are an idiot and just remember...there are many people on this site who I would rather reply too than you.

[Cruising Roo]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

I don't think your mate has much of an idea.

I have lived in Malaysia for several months at a time and my wife never had any issues there.
I have female friends there now that have been there for decades.

Of course there are areas where she may have, but I likely would have as well.
And you'd really have to be drawing attention to yourself imho.

But there are areas in Thailand where the same issues may have been had

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sout...and_insurgency

I have no doubt about Thailand having the same issue. I am just repeating what 2 friends said and I CERTAINLY am not generalizing about anything. I am just sharing their experience and unlike some of us, am NOT meaning to well...generalize. What I have observed on this forum (and no doubt others) that when i raise a question, i get hugely varying opinions and often 180 degree opposite which does NOT mean anyone is "silly". It is a huge advantage of a forum

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by Cruising Roo

I have no doubt about Thailand having the same issue. I am just repeating what 2 friends said and I CERTAINLY am not generalizing about anything. I am just sharing their experience and unlike some of us, am NOT meaning to well...generalize. What I have observed on this forum (and no doubt others) that when i raise a question, i get hugely varying opinions and often 180 degree opposite which does NOT mean anyone is "silly". It is a huge advantage of a forum

So then it gets back to don't go to America because you'll be shot
Don't go to Australia, snakes,crocodiles, bogans
Don't go to South East Asia in general, pirates

I'd love to know what your mates "real life" experience was

[Fore and Aft]

We loved Malaysia as well the wife and daughter never had any problems there. The whole religion thing seems to get blown out of proportion; I think. Sure, lots of the woman wore headscarves and the different apartments with pools we stayed at had a no bikini policy. But who cares, its why we travel for the cultural differences. We didn't have one bad experience and every Malaysian we spoke to seemed no different to any other person we have ever spoken to. I think living aboard in any country would be an experience not to be missed.
Zygodactyl, have you thought about doing a country tour with your boat? Surely you could get it shipped to Japan live there 12 months, then get her sailed to Philippines live there 12 months and keep working your way through a whole list of countries. Even Sri Lanka and India would be worth a visit.

Cheers