3 ms·

To add some perspective on Thailand from a fellow resident... > Thailand. They don't give permanent residency here anyway. While the process is difficult and

To add some perspective on Thailand from a fellow resident... > Thailand. They don't give permanent residency here anyway. While the process is difficult and there are caps on how many people can receive it each year, people can and do obtain permanent residence in Thailand. I know a number of people with PR, they're all businesspeople who have been here for many years. > start[ing] a business (expensive and designed to fleece foreigners, beware). The Thai Board of Investment provides a number of attractive incentives, including a 5 year income tax holiday(!), to foreigners starting a technology business who are willing to commit to modest capital and hiring requirements. Doing business in Thailand is difficult in other ways (limited technical talent, limited and poor English skills, high compliance burden), but I wouldn't characterize BOI as a scheme to fleece foreigners at all. If you are incorporating without a BOI promotion then things are much less attractive, but most software businesses with an intent to hire a few employees will qualify pretty easily. > you can get excellent care at a tiny fraction of what you pay in the US True but with caveats. When it comes to affordable, good health care, "better than the US" is not a meaningful standard. The US is a shameful failure in this regard. That said, the cost and quality of health care in Thailand are pretty good--aside from a good private system, Thais and foreigners on long-term visas get free universal health care at government hospitals(!), some of which are pretty good. But it should be noted that private insurance in Thailand carries a number of limitations, such as maximum lifetime payouts and long lists of conditions which aren't covered. In short, the Thai system serves medical tourists very well, but if you're looking for lifelong, comprehensive coverage, things get complicated. My personal opinion is that Thailand is trying in this area, but currently isn't the best place for most tech businesses to incorporate unless they want access to the Thai market. The main reason for this is the limited talent pool. For some businesses, BOI incentives and the low cost of operating here may make up for this. Either way, Thailand is still a pretty amazing lifestyle destination, and for freelancers/remote companies/very small biz level there are a few options to stay here long-term (Iglu, Elite visa, etc.).

geomark 9y ago
"Thais and foreigners on long-term visas get free universal health care at government hospitals(!), some of which are pretty good" That's interesting. What type of long-term visas qualify foreigners for universal health care? Some of the government hospitals are good as you said. I had foot surgery at Siriraj Hostpital, Thailand's oldest and biggest government hospital. While the facilities are old and tired-looking the care was excellent and the doctor was outstanding, this guy https://sites.google.com/site/ankleclinic/aboutus https://sites.google.com/site/ankleclinic/aboutus. But I went during their "special clinic hours" which is the same facilities but different hours than when the universal health care patients are treated. Unlike the regular hours, during special clinic hours you have to actually pay for services.
- apatters 9y ago
  What qualifies you is paying taxes, so basically if you're on a business visa you get it--if there are other visas which allow you to legally work and pay taxes, they might qualify you as well. They assign you to a particular hospital when you enter the program, and you're entitled to free care at this hospital, if you need a procedure they can't perform, they'll refer you to another government hospital which will also be free. Waiting periods sometimes are long, so it's a good idea to have private insurance as well. Foreigners in Bangkok at the moment all seem to be getting assigned to a hospital in Phrakanong which has a pretty good reputation. You can change your assignment later, I've heard the Police General Hospital on Rama I is very good. I've heard it's also possible to remain in the program after your employment ends if you pay a small monthly fee (maybe $15). There is also a Thai equivalent of the USA's social security program, though the payouts are very modest. Overall it is a good system, you just have to be aware of the limitations of Thai insurance in catastrophic cases (probably I will switch to an expensive expat health insurance plan in the next year or two because of this).

geomark 9y ago

"Thais and foreigners on long-term visas get free universal health care at government hospitals(!), some of which are pretty good" That's interesting. What type of long-term visas qualify foreigners for universal health care? Some of the government hospitals are good as you said. I had foot surgery at Siriraj Hostpital, Thailand's oldest and biggest government hospital. While the facilities are old and tired-looking the care was excellent and the doctor was outstanding, this guy https://sites.google.com/site/ankleclinic/aboutus https://sites.google.com/site/ankleclinic/aboutus. But I went during their "special clinic hours" which is the same facilities but different hours than when the universal health care patients are treated. Unlike the regular hours, during special clinic hours you have to actually pay for services.

apatters 9y ago
What qualifies you is paying taxes, so basically if you're on a business visa you get it--if there are other visas which allow you to legally work and pay taxes, they might qualify you as well. They assign you to a particular hospital when you enter the program, and you're entitled to free care at this hospital, if you need a procedure they can't perform, they'll refer you to another government hospital which will also be free. Waiting periods sometimes are long, so it's a good idea to have private insurance as well. Foreigners in Bangkok at the moment all seem to be getting assigned to a hospital in Phrakanong which has a pretty good reputation. You can change your assignment later, I've heard the Police General Hospital on Rama I is very good. I've heard it's also possible to remain in the program after your employment ends if you pay a small monthly fee (maybe $15). There is also a Thai equivalent of the USA's social security program, though the payouts are very modest. Overall it is a good system, you just have to be aware of the limitations of Thai insurance in catastrophic cases (probably I will switch to an expensive expat health insurance plan in the next year or two because of this).