Kung bumili si Bea Alonzo ng apartment sa Madrid, Spain, at nag-apply ng golden visa para maging residente roon, isang male showbiz personality naman ang bumili ng condominium unit sa Bangkok, Thailand.
Itinuturing ng male personality na pangalawang tahanan ang Thailand dahil sa kanyang madalas na pagbisita sa bansa na paboritong-paborito niya.
Hiniling ng showbiz personality na huwag nang banggitin ang kanyang pangalan, pero malugod niyang sinagot ang lahat ng mga katanungan ng Cabinet Files tungkol sa pagbili niya ng sariling bahay sa Thailand.
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“Thailand is my favorite country, not to mention it's very close to Manila.
"I have been going to Thailand back and for the past 30-plus years so it was about time that I bought my own condominium there,” pahayag ng showbiz personality sa Cabinet Files.
“Yes, I finally bought my two-bedroom unit in a good location in Bangkok.
"And the best part is the condominium is right beside the BTS station, which allows me to to go all over Bangkok hassle-free,” pagtukoy niya sa transport system sa Thailand na maihahalintulad sa MRT at LRT.
Gustung-gusto rin daw ng male personality ang pagkain, kultura, at ugali ng mga Thai.
“The people of Thailand are disciplined, endearing, hospitable and make you feel at home instantly. Their culture and their country as a whole is what keeps on making me come back to them.
“My every trip to Thailand is always unique... each trip different from each other but as intriguing and enjoyable at the same time.
"Their slogan is the perfect way to describe them... AMAZING THAILAND!”
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THAI RETIREMENT VISA
Naging ganap na senior citizen noong Hulyo 2024 ang resource person ng Cabinet Files.
Nagbigay siya ng mga detalye tungkol sa kanyang naaprubahang Thai retirement visa kaya maaari siyang mamalagi sa Thailand ng isang taon.
Lahad niya: “As a tourist, you are allowed to own a condominium in Thailand and since I am 60 years old already, I am eligible to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand.
“When I turned 60, that was the time I decided to buy a condo and at the same time, apply for a retirement visa as advised by my Filipino friend who is aware of the Thai laws.
“It does not take long to process the retirement visa as long as you are complete with your requirements.
"You can apply for your retirement visa here at the Thai Embassy in Manila.
“You do not even have to appear as long as you are complete with your requirements. Requirements are NBI, health insurance, medical clearance, just to name a few.
“My retirement visa allows me to stay in Thailand for one whole year, but I guess this will never happen in my case.”
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WILL MALE PERSONALITY LIVE IN THAILAND FOR GOOD?
Sa kabila ng pagkakaroon niya ng retirement visa, sinabi ng showbiz personality na wala sa kanyang intensiyong manirahan nang permanente sa Thailand.
Saad niya: “Since Thailand is near the Philippines, just three hours away, it is more practical for me to be going back and forth rather than live their for one straight year. I have many things to attend to also in the Philippines.
“I do not plan to stay in Thailand for good. So far, I have been going to Thailand, like, every other month and staying for 7 to 10 days only.
“I usually just stay in Bangkok because I am more of a city person rather than of a beach person.
“Can you imagine despite my many travels to Thailand, I have not even been to Phuket even once and I am not itching to go there really.
“Every day is a different day for me in Bangkok and every trip is a different for me too.”
Natuto na ba siyang magsalita ng Thai language at ano ang madalas na ginagawa niya sa tuwing pumupunta siya sa Bangkok?
“I just know a few words in Thai, the basic ones only. I think am too old and lazy already to learn their language. Just knowing a few important basic words will get me by... it has, for the past many years.
“My activities when I am there range from meeting up with friends which consists of Thai friends to Pinoys leaving in Bangkok and others who are in town from the Philippines.
“I have Thai and Pinoy friends in Thailand. They are all very special to me and I must say the 'Dabarkads' keeps on growing.
“Eating, shopping, malling, doing errands, and getting the 'pabilins' of my friends is just a few of the many things I do when I am in Bangkok.
“By the time I know it, I am again boarding a flight back to Manila bringing with me a load full of happy memories from my last trip to Thailand.”
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