Malaysia: Prinsip Rukun Negara

  Prinsip Rukun Negara telah diisytiharkan oleh Yang di-Pertuan  Agong yang keempat, Seri Paduka Baginda Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Zainal Abidin pada 31 Ogos 1970, iaitu sempena Ulang Tahun ke-13 Kemerdekaan Malaysia. Di antara objektif Rukun Negara adalah untuk mencapai perpaduan yang lebih erat di kalangan seluruh masyarakat serta mencipta satu masyarakat yang adil supaya kemakmuran negara dapat dinikmati bersama secara adil dan saksama. 

RUKUN NEGARA

Maka kami, rakyat Malaysia, berikrar akan menumpukan seluruh tenaga dan usaha kami 

untuk mencapai cita-cita tersebut berdasarkan atas prinsip-prinsip yang berikut: 

KEPERCAYAAN KEPADA TUHAN 

KESETIAAN KEPADA RAJA DAN NEGARA 

KELUHURAN PERLEMBAGAAN 

KEDAULATAN UNDANG-UNDANG 

KESOPANAN DAN KESUSILAAN 

( At Pagoh Highway P Stop ) 

The principles of the Rukun Negara were proclaimed by the fourth Yang di-Pertuan Agong, His Majesty Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Zainal Abidin on 31 August 1970, in conjunction with the 13th Anniversary of Malaysia's Independence. Among the objectives of the Rukun Negara are to achieve closer unity among all communities and to create a just society so that the prosperity of the country can be enjoyed together in a fair and equitable manner. 

RUKUN NEGARA

Therefore, we, the people of Malaysia, pledge to devote all our energy and efforts to achieving these ideals based on the following principles: 

FAITH IN GOD 

LOYALTY TO KING AND COUNTRY 

SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION 

RULE OF LAW 

COURTESY AND MORALITY 

马来西亚：国家支柱的原则

“国家原则”的原则由第四任国家元首端姑伊斯迈·纳西鲁丁·沙阿·伊布尼·阿尔玛洪·苏丹·再纳·阿比丁于1970年8月31日，为庆祝马来西亚独立13周年而颁布。“国家原则”的目标之一是促进各族群更加团结，并建立一个公正的社会，使国家繁荣昌盛能够以公平公正的方式共享。

国家原则

因此，我们马来西亚人民承诺，将竭尽全力，秉持以下原则，实现这些理想：

信仰真主

忠于君主与国家

宪法至上

法治

礼仪与道德 

மலேசியா: தேசிய தூணின் கோட்பாடுகள்

மலேசியாவின் 13வது சுதந்திர ஆண்டு விழாவுடன் இணைந்து, 1970 ஆகஸ்ட் 31 அன்று நான்காவது யாங் டி-பெர்துவான் அகோங், மாட்சிமை மிக்க துவாங்கு இஸ்மாயில் நசிருதீன் ஷா இப்னி அல்மர்ஹும் சுல்தான் ஜைனல் அபிடின் அவர்களால் ருகுன் நெகாராவின் கொள்கைகள் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டன. அனைத்து சமூகங்களுக்கிடையில் நெருக்கமான ஒற்றுமையை அடைவதும், நாட்டின் செழிப்பை நியாயமான மற்றும் சமமான முறையில் ஒன்றாக அனுபவிக்கக்கூடிய ஒரு நீதியான சமூகத்தை உருவாக்குவதும் ருகுன் நெகாராவின் நோக்கங்களில் ஒன்றாகும். 

ருகுன் நெகாரா

எனவே, மலேசிய மக்களாகிய நாங்கள், பின்வரும் கொள்கைகளின் அடிப்படையில் இந்த இலட்சியங்களை அடைவதற்கு எங்கள் முழு ஆற்றலையும் முயற்சிகளையும் அர்ப்பணிக்க உறுதியளிக்கிறோம்: 

கடவுள் மீது நம்பிக்கை

ராஜா மற்றும் நாட்டிற்கு விசுவாசம்

அரசியலமைப்பின் மேலாதிக்கம்

சட்டத்தின் ஆட்சி

மரியாதை மற்றும் ஒழுக்கம் 

Malēciyā: Tēciya tūṇiṉ kōṭpāṭukaḷ

Malēciyāviṉ 13vatu cutantira āṇṭu viḻāvuṭaṉ iṇaintu, 1970 ākasṭ 31 aṉṟu nāṉkāvatu yāṅ ṭi-pertuvāṉ akōṅ, māṭcimai mikka tuvāṅku ismāyil nacirutīṉ ṣā ipṉi almar'hum cultāṉ jaiṉal apiṭiṉ avarkaḷāl rukuṉ nekārāviṉ koḷkaikaḷ aṟivikkappaṭṭaṉa. Aṉaittu camūkaṅkaḷukkiṭaiyil nerukkamāṉa oṟṟumaiyai aṭaivatum, nāṭṭiṉ ceḻippai niyāyamāṉa maṟṟum camamāṉa muṟaiyil oṉṟāka aṉupavikkakkūṭiya oru nītiyāṉa camūkattai uruvākkuvatum rukuṉ nekārāviṉ nōkkaṅkaḷil oṉṟākum. 

Rukuṉ nekārā

eṉavē, malēciya makkaḷākiya nāṅkaḷ, piṉvarum koḷkaikaḷiṉ aṭippaṭaiyil inta ilaṭciyaṅkaḷai aṭaivataṟku eṅkaḷ muḻu āṟṟalaiyum muyaṟcikaḷaiyum arppaṇikka uṟutiyaḷikkiṟōm: 

Kaṭavuḷ mītu nampikkai

rājā maṟṟum nāṭṭiṟku vicuvācam

araciyalamaippiṉ mēlātikkam

caṭṭattiṉ āṭci

mariyātai maṟṟum oḻukkam

( French) Malaisie : les principes du pilier national

Les principes du Rukun Negara ont été proclamés par le quatrième Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sa Majesté Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Zainal Abidin, le 31 août 1970, à l'occasion du 13e anniversaire de l'indépendance de la Malaisie. Parmi les objectifs du Rukun Negara figurent le renforcement de l'unité entre toutes les communautés et l'instauration d'une société juste, afin que la prospérité du pays puisse être partagée de manière juste et équitable.

RUKUN NEGARA

Par conséquent, nous, peuple de Malaisie, nous engageons à consacrer toute notre énergie et tous nos efforts à la réalisation de ces idéaux, fondés sur les principes suivants :

FOIE EN DIEU

LOIAUTÉ AU ROI ET À LA PAYS

SUPREMATURE DE LA CONSTITUTION

ÉTAT DE DROIT

COURTOISIE ET MORALE

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

 Philippians 1:6 expresses confidence that God, who began a good work in believers, will continue to work in them until the return of Christ. This verse emphasizes God's faithfulness in completing the spiritual journey of His followers.

 

Overview of Philippians 1:6

Philippians 1:6 is a verse from the New Testament, written by the Apostle Paul. It expresses a strong assurance about God's work in believers.

Key Themes

Confidence in God's Work: The verse emphasizes that believers can trust in God's faithfulness. Paul is confident that God, who initiated their spiritual journey, will continue to work in them.

Completion of Good Work: The "good work" refers to the transformative process of salvation and spiritual growth. This indicates that God is committed to completing what He has started in each believer.

Eschatological Significance: The phrase "until the day of Christ Jesus" points to the future return of Christ, which is a significant event in Christian theology. It serves as a reminder for believers to live in a way that reflects their faith.

Verse Text

New International Version (NIV): "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Contextual Insights

Paul's Assurance: Written from prison, Paul’s confidence is rooted in his faith and experience, highlighting God's sovereignty even in difficult circumstances.

Encouragement for Believers: This verse encourages believers to persevere in their faith, knowing that their spiritual journey is under divine guidance and will ultimately be fulfilled.

Heart soar Prayer 🤲 Richest Life ongoing battle with sin

 Every person who has walked this earth knows what it is to experience seasons of both joy and struggle. 

There are days when your spirit feels alive. 

When your prayers flow so freely that it seems like heaven is wide open. 

You find yourself praying for 10 minutes, 20 minutes, even longer. 

And it feels as though you are only just beginning. 

Those are the days when your heart soar. "Heart soar" means to feel extremely happy or uplifted, often suddenly, as in experiencing joy or delight.

When you feel as though you could mount up with wings like an eagle, as Isaiah chapter 40 verse 31 declares, "But they who wait for the Lord shall 

renew their strength. 

They shall mount up with wings like 

eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint. 

In those moments, you sense the Holy Spirit strengthening you, filling you with courage and faith. 

You feel like David standing before Goliath. 

But then there are the other days. 

Days where you sit down to pray and it feels like your words rise no higher than the ceiling. 

Days where your heart feels heavy. 

Where guilt whispers that maybe this time God will not forgive you. 

Days when the stains of past sins seem 

too dark to wash away. 

You know those days, the ones where temptation feels stronger than your willpower and shame creeps in to convince you that perhaps God is too holy to want someone like you. 

And it is this reality, this ongoing battle with sin that I want to speak about today because all of us face it.

Sin is not something you once struggled with and then never see again. 

It is persistent 

Just when you feel you are finally on the right path, 

here comes a distraction. 

Here comes temptation. 

Here comes sin trying to push you off track. 

Yet the comfort of scripture is that even the Apostle Paul, one of the greatest servants of Christ, described this very same struggle. 

In Romans 7:15, Paul confesses, "I do not understand what I do, for what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, that I do." 

And in verses 18-9, he continues, 

"For l know that good does not dwell in 

me, that is in my sinful nature. 

For I have the desire to do what is good, 

but I cannot carry it out." 

Think about this for a moment. 

This is Paul, the same man who cast out demons, who laid hands on the sick and saw them recover, who preached the gospel across nations, and yet he openly admitted that he wrestled with the power of sin. 

That should remind us that no one is exempt from this struggle. 

Not you, not me, not even the spiritual giants we look up to in scripture. 

Paul had days of power, but he also had days of weakness. 

He knew what it was to take one step forward and feel like he slid two steps back. 

But here is the hope. 

Even though sin is strong, our savior is stronger. 

Even though temptation is persistent, God's grace is greater. 

The Bible says in Proverbs 24:16, "For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes." 

Notice what it says. 

The righteous may fall not once, not twice, but seven times. 

Falling is part of the journey. 

But what separates the righteous from the wicked is not that the righteous never fall. 

It is that by God's strength they rise again. 

So yes, you may fall, but do not stay down. 

In Christ, you can rise again. 

Yes, you may stumble, but with the Lord's help, you can stand on steady ground. 

Remember the words of Psalm 37: verses 23-24. 

The steps of a man are established by the Lord. When he delights in his way, though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong. For the Lord upholds his hand. 

God does not abandon his children when they stumble. 

He holds their hand, lifts them up, and gives them grace to keep walking. 

And what makes this truth even more powerful is what Paul concludes later in Romans chapter 7. 

After pouring out his heart about this war within him, he cries out in verse 24, 

"What a wretched man l am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" 

But immediately he answers his own question in verse 25. 

Thanks be to God who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

That is the gospel. 

Deliverance is not found in your own strength or determination. 

Deliverance is found in Jesus Christ. 

The battle with sin is real, but victory is possible because Jesus Christ has already overcome. 

At the cross, Jesus bore the weight of every sin. 

Through his blood, you are washed, cleansed, and made new. 

As 1 John 1:9 promises, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

That means no matter how heavy the guilt feels, no matter how many times you have fallen, his forgiveness is still available to you today. 

So do not give up. 

Do not believe the lie that says you are beyond redemption. 

Do not stay trapped in shame. 

Rise again, not in your own strength, but in the grace of Jesus Christ. 

Keep praying even when it feels hard. 

Keep reading his word even when your heart feels dry. 

Keep showing up because God is not done with you yet. 

He is faithful to complete the work he began in you. 

As Philippians 1:6 ( here )  declares, "Yes, there will be battles. Yes, there will be days of weakness. 

But in those moments, lean on Christ. 

Put on the whole armor of God as described in Ephesians chapter 6 and stand firm. 

Remember that his grace is sufficient for you and his power is made perfect in your weakness." 

So, beloved, the message is simple. 

You will stumble, but you will not be abandoned. 

You will fall, but you can rise again. 

And when you rise, you rise not by your own willpower, but by the strength of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, let's take a moment to pray together. 

Gracious Lord Jesus, 

I thank you for being my constant companion. 

You have been my friend on the good days and my comforter on the hard days. 

Thank you for lifting me up every time l have fallen. 

It is only by your grace that I have been able to rise again.

It is only by your love and mercy that I have found the strength to stand after my weakness. 

Truly, there is no one like you. 

Your word declares in Micah 7:18, "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? 

You do not retain your anger forever because you delight in mercy.

Father, who is like you? 

You have been so kind to forgive my sins, patient when l deserve judgment, merciful when l deserved wrath*¹. 

Thank you for delighting in mercy and not anger. 

For giving me chance after chance to be made new. 

Lord, I know there are days when I feel strong in my faith, strong in prayer, strong in my walk with you. 

But I also know there are days when my faith feels weak, when my prayers feel empty, when my heart feels heavy. 

On those days, Holy Spirit, I ask you to strengthen me.

Be my comfort and my guide. 

Help me fight through my struggles. 

Remind me of your word. 

Teach me to cling to your promises when my emotions want to run away. 

Fill me with hope when despair whispers to me. 

Be my strength, Lord, when my strength fails. 

My sincere desire, Father, is to live a life of consistency before you. 

I pray to be steady in my prayer life, steady in my faith, steady in my daily pursuit of you. 

I want to be so fixed on you, Jesus Christ, that nothing in this world can distract me. 

I don't want my heart to be enticed by the lust of the flesh or the fleeting pleasures of this world. 

Help me, Lord, to set my desires only on what is pure, on what is good, on what honors you. 

As Colossians 3:2 teaches, "May my mind 

be set on things above and not on earthly things. 

I pray that the way I live my life would be pleasing to you. 

Yes, Lord, you have given me a free will, but I ask that your will would be placed above mine. 

You have given me a conscience, but Ipray that the Holy Spirit will guide me, speak to me, convict me, and challenge me. 

Lead me into all truth as your word promises in John 16:3. (They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.)

Keep my feet on the narrow road that leads to life.

Let me not wander into the broad road that leads to destruction. 

Give me a heart that trembles at your word and delights to obey you. 

Lord, you have given me the freedom to choose and I choose you. 

I choose to live under the authority of your word. 

I choose to walk by faith and not by sight. 

I choose to live a life led by the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom. 

As Proverbs chapter 9:10 declares.

"I choose to live a life led by love for you, Lord, because you said in John 14: 15, if you love me, keep my commandments. 

Teach me to obey you, not out of duty, but out of love. 

Let my life be a living testimony of someone who has been transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ.

Father, I give you praise. 

You are worthy of all glory. 

You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. 

All power in heaven and on earth is in your hands. 

As Psalm 145:3 proclaims, "Great is the Lord and 

greatly to be praised, and his greatness 

is unsearchable. 

Be praised for the rest of my days, Lord. 

Receive my worship. Let everything I say and everything I do bring honor to your name." 

So now, Lord, I surrender. I lay down my life before you.

 I place my plans, my desires, my fears, and my future into your hands. 

Govern, direct my steps. 

As Proverbs 3: verses 5-6 instructs, "Help me to trust in you with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. In all my ways may I acknowledge you, and you will make my path straight. 

I want you to be glorified in me now and always. 

I want my life to tell the world about your goodness. 

I want my words to carry the fragrance of your love. 

I want my thoughts to be shaped by your truth. 

Holy Spirit, give me the grace to persevere, the courage to obey, and the joy to worship you even in hard times. 

May my heart never grow cold. 

May my love for Jesus Christ never fade. 

Thank you Lord Jesus for loving me when I am weak, thank you forgiving me when I fail and strengthening me when I stand again. 

I give you all my thanks and all my praise. 

In the mighty and precious name of Jesus Christ, I pray. 

Amen.

*¹. Wrath means extreme anger, fierce rage, or strong indignation, often with a desire to punish someone for an unfair or unacceptable action. It is a formal and old-fashioned term for this powerful emotion. 

*² John 16:3 states that people will act against Jesus' followers because they do not know God or Jesus. This verse highlights the spiritual blindness that leads to misunderstanding and persecution.

Overview of John 16:3

Key Verse

John 16:3 states: "They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me." This verse highlights the reason behind the persecution faced by Jesus' followers.

Context

Persecution: Jesus predicts that His disciples will face hostility and persecution. This is due to a lack of understanding and relationship with God and Jesus.

Spiritual Blindness: The verse emphasizes that the actions of those who oppose Jesus stem from spiritual ignorance. They do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah or understand His teachings.

Related Themes

Knowing God: The concept of "knowing" in this context is not just intellectual but involves a deep, personal relationship with God.

Fulfillment of Prophecy: The rejection of Jesus by many was foretold in the Old Testament, illustrating a recurring theme of misunderstanding God's truth.

Importance

Understanding John 16:3 is crucial for grasping the challenges early Christians faced and the significance of knowing both Jesus and the Father in the Christian faith.

PRAYER IS YOUR LIFELINE TO GOD, SO PRAY

⁰ 🙏 

¹ PRAY THIS BEFORE YOU START YOUR DAY

Lord, Let Your Mercies Find Me Todayí

² PRAY THAT THE LORD FIGHTS FOR YOU 

Lord, Remind Me That the Battle Is Yours

³ PRAYER TO BEGIN YOUR DAY

Pray This Every Morning to Ignite a Fire for God

⁴ EMPOWER ME WITH YOUR SPIRIT TODAY

The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit Is For You Today 

⁵ SHINE BRIGHTLY FOR JESUS TODAY

Start the Day Reflecting the Light of God

⁶ USE ME FOR YOUR GLORY TODAY 

Lord, Make Me Useful for Every Good Work

⁷ LORD, CARRY ME THROUGH THIS PAIN

A Prayer to See God's Purpose in Your Pain

⁸ GIVE ME THE MIND OF CHRIST, TODAY

Father, Teach Me to Live Like Jesus Today 

⁹ START TODAY WITH GOD'S DELIVERANCE 

Start the Day With the God Who Delivers 

¹⁰ BEGIN TODAY WITH WHAT TRULY MATTERS

Every Morning, Choose Christ Above All 

¹¹ LET GOD'S JOY OVERRULE YOUR DAY

Prayer to Find Joy When Life Makes No Sense 

¹² START TODAY WITH A  CLEAN HEART ❤️ 

Pray This to Guard Your Heart Every Morning 

¹³ START THE DAY WITH GOD'S POWER

The Name of Jesus Christ Is Your Greatest Weapon

¹⁴ PRAY TO LIVE OUT YOUR FAITH TODAY 

Lord, Let My Faith Speak Through My Life 

¹⁵  START TODAY REJOICING IN THE LORD 

Rejoice Today-Don't Let the Enemy Steal Your Joy

¹⁶ BEGIN TODAY IN GOD'S MIGHTY HANDS

Start Your Day with God's Mighty Hand of Love 💕 

¹⁷ INVITE THE HOLY SPIRIT INTO YOUR PRAYER

Begin the Day With Holy Spirit-Led Prayer 🤲 

¹⁸ PUT GOD FIRST, NOT IDOLS

Tear Down the ldols in Your Life Before They Tear You Down 

¹⁹ A PRAYER TO REFLECT CHRIST IN ALL THINGS

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus and Carry the Cross Daily

²⁰ PRAY THIS BEFORE YOU BEGIN THE DAY

Start Today Asking Jesus Christ to Make You a Tool For The Master

²¹ LORD, FIGHT MY BATTLES I CANNOT WIN

²² ASK GOD TO GUARD YOUR MOUTH 

²³ BEGIN YOUR DAY WITH PRAYER

God Turns Tears Into Miracles Through Prayers

²⁴ START YOUR DAY WITHOUT FEAR 

Start Your Day With This Prayer Against Fear 

²⁵ PRAY FOR A RENEWED HEART TODAY

Lord, Break My Stubborn Heart and M

²⁶ LORD, STAND BESIDE ME TODAY

Lord, Walk Beside Me Through the Day

²⁷ PRAY FOR GODLY FRIENDSHIPS 

Pray This Before Bad Company Destroys You

²⁸ PRAYER TO UPROOT BITTERNESS & FIND PEACE

Lord, Uproot Every Bitterness Hidden in Me 

²⁹ LORD, GIVE ME CHILDLIKE FAITH TODAY

Lord, Teach Me to Trust You with Childlike Faith

³⁰ JESUS HEAL & UNITE WHAT WAS TORN 

Lord, Restore Unity Where the Enemy Broke

³¹  WORSHIP GOD EVEN IN PAIN

Jesus, Let My Soul Say 'It Is Well' No Matter the Circumstances 

³² MAKE GOD YOUR FIRST PURSUIT TODAY

Lord, Find Me as I Seek You Today

CONTINUE PRAYING HERE 

The Urgency of Prophecy

 Relevant and Urgent 

1. The concept of prophecy holds a significant place within the biblical narrative, serving as a divine communication that reveals God's will and future plans. The urgency of prophecy is underscored throughout Scripture, emphasizing the need for immediate attention, understanding, and response from believers.

 Biblical Foundation

2. Prophecy in the Bible is not merely a foretelling of future events but a call to action and repentance. The prophets of the Old Testament, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, were often tasked with delivering urgent messages from God to His people. These messages frequently called for repentance and warned of impending judgment if the people did not turn from their sinful ways. For instance, in Isaiah 55:6-7 , the prophet urges, "Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon."

The Role of Prophecy in the New Testament

3. In the New Testament, the urgency of prophecy is further highlighted through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus Himself prophesied about the end times, urging His followers to remain vigilant and prepared. In Matthew 24:42 , He warns, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come." This call to watchfulness underscores the immediate relevance of prophecy to the believer's life.

4. The apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of prophecy in the life of the church. In 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 , he instructs, "Do not treat prophecies with contempt, but test all things. Hold fast to what is good." This directive highlights the need for discernment and responsiveness to prophetic messages, recognizing their role in guiding and edifying the church.

Prophecy and the End Times

5. The urgency of prophecy is perhaps most acutely felt in the context of eschatology, the study of the end times. The Book of Revelation, with its vivid imagery and prophetic declarations, serves as a clarion call for believers to remain steadfast in their faith. Revelation 1:3 states, "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near." This blessing underscores the immediacy and importance of engaging with prophetic Scripture.

Practical Implications for Believers

6. For contemporary believers, the urgency of prophecy calls for a life of readiness and holiness. The prophetic messages throughout Scripture serve as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the certainty of His promises. Believers are encouraged to live in a manner that reflects the imminent return of Christ, as articulated in 2 Peter 3:11-12 : "Since everything will be dissolved in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God."

7. In summary, the urgency of prophecy in the Bible is a call to action, vigilance, and faithfulness. It serves as a divine reminder of the unfolding of God's redemptive plan and the believer's role in it. Through prophecy, God communicates His will, warns of future events, and invites His people to participate in His divine purposes.

To Retire From Working

 What is the bare minimum you can retire on?

I am retired on $1,000 a month from social security. I live in Chiang Mai, Thailand. One will need $25,000 USD to put in a Thai bank for a retirement visa. You can use this money during the year but it must be replaced 3 months before the annual visa renewal. I also paid cash for a new 2 bedroom house, fully furnished ($62,500), and I also paid cash for a new car ($19,000). It would be good to have $50,000 extra for emergencies. You can’t use your Medicare here.

When one can retire varies from one person to the NEXT.

Most IMPORTANT to determine that is to ask yourself “Do I have enough PASSIVE INCOME to cover for my Essential Expenses (food, shelter, clothing etc) PLUS HAVE an EMERGENCY fund equivalent 6 months of passive income !

Additionally more important than money to have enough hobbies to keep yourself busy in retirement

Excellent point! That's true 👍

Ukraine? This didn’t age well.

He referred to pre war conditions. Nothing wrong in the statement.

😂🤣 you can’t live “ Royalty “ anywhere for $1,000.. maybe living ok or somewhat comfortable, but def not royalty like in a luxurious penthouse with women all around you with any food you want… 😂 that’s BS… I live in Colombia now, for 3.5 years.. where minimum wage is $275 US a month.. I make $14,000 US Net take home monthly.. I live almost royalty here, and spend about $3,000 US a month..

14k/month? 

Who would enjoy living in Ukraine with all the civil unrest war is continuously going on and upheaval.

Ukraine is not good for leaving. Even Kiev. Its horrible war there. My 17 member of family been killed. Europe its better choice.

You are happy to living there and life is more meaningful l am sure!

I’m glad you could make it work for 1,000 dollars a month. My wife & I have been here 6 years now. We bought a new car in 2014 & we bought our condo for cash. We live on 2000–3000 dollars a month depends if we are spending money on travel. Life is Great. No Stress, No Worries. Life is so much better than living in the US.

Happy to hear that you and your wife are doing well.

So can I retire with USD 400,000 over there at age of 50?

I live comfortable in the Philippines on 3500 USD a month. You can live your retirement life in the Philippines on extensions without having to open a bank account. Personally I would never open up a bank account in another county for retirement status. If you do I hope your money does not disappear. I’m keeping it real.

Check out the crime before you move to a foreign city.

American cities are much worse, in this regard, than Asian cities

American Don't live in the American shit hole cities, Most Are in the suburbs!

As a foreigner you cannot own land in Thailand. So you paid cash for an asset that is in some other person’s name- Probably your Thai girlfriend. Foreigners are duped out of their homes often by this arrangement. Your answer is now out of date regarding the retirement visa. And the new changes where already in place when you posted on April 2. A foreigner must have 800,000 Baht deposited in a Thai bank. And importantly pursuant to the new changes you cannot use this money. Your account must have a minimum balance of 400,000 Baht ALL YEAR. Cars are outrageously expensive in Thailand compared to America. $19,000 will buy you any absolute bottom of the range small four cylinder sedan. Decent western level medical insurance for expats in Thailand is also ridiculously expensive, more so when you get over 65. A policy with reasonable cover from a major insurer such as BUPA will cost you more than $1,000 per month. If you cannot afford this and chose to self insure you will need a very significant sum much larger than $50,000. That amount could easily be wiped out by a car accident or a minor heart condition. And so Joseph, although you might be happy now, you current income is not sufficient to purchase a decent medical insurance policy, and so you are just one road accident or serious medical problem away from you house of cards collapsing entirely. And I won’t even bother elaborating on the risk of paying cash for a house when the title deed does not have your name on it.

I don’t have medical insurance. I am 81-years-old and medical insurance would be too high a price to pay. I’ve had cancer twice, a stroke, large toe root removal, 5 times full med checkup, and I have to use a catheter to pee. All my medical cost were less than $20,000!

Joseph. With respect, you need to keep up to date on the many recent changes to visa regulations. On 31 October medical insurance became compulsory for all holders of a Non OA visa. In the coming months insurance may also become a requirement for all Non immigrant visa classes, including the retirement Non O. So if you are unable to qualify for insurance due to your age and/or existing medical conditions then you may not qualify for a visa and will have to leave Thailand.

Foreigners are generally prohibited from owning land in Thailand1. However, there are some exceptions and alternative options:

Condominiums: Foreigners can own up to 49% of the total area of a condominium building2. This is the most straightforward way for foreigners to own property in Thailand2.

Leasehold: Foreigners can lease land for up to 30 years, with the possibility of renewal for another 30 years2.

Thai Company: Foreigners can own land through a Thai company, but there are specific regulations and requirements to follow1.

Interesting. I am in Bangkok where costs are probable higher. How much higher I do not know. I am looking for a 3 Bedroom house not in Bangkok ( to high, plus traffic is very heavy and getting worse as more and more vehicles are added to the city).

I am thinking Nonthabury maybe a good place to get a house.. The MRT has the purple line in place there (about 12 stations) on the line. So get a house within 5 km of one of the stations. Houses in   Bangkok can run 8 million Baht plus— which is way to much. Your buying access to a lot a shopping centers on the city, plus lots of traffic congestion. There are good shopping centers everwhere.

When buying a vehicle buy used about 2 or 3 years old not new. The depreciation on a new vehicle is to high. I recommend a truck which is best on the highways ( it has a longer wheel base- and therefore a much more comfortable to drive and just ride in)than a passenger car).

For a retirement visa a total of 800k baht has to be standing in the bank.

Having 50 K baht in reserve standing in the bank is a good idea.

Live small, save money even retirement.

Always, always buy very comfortable shoes/ and ,or sandals. As a retiree you are going to do a lot of walking (every where). Your feet will greatly appreciate good foot wear.

An American cannot buy a house in Thailand!

So the social security payments you get deposited goes to your Thai bank account?

You could have lived like a king in Ethiopia for that money. And you dnt need money for Visa

In NYC… I’ll need about 5 million

if you get sick, a definite likelihood for retirees, you will get the farang mark up. there will be no set price. the doctors and hospitals ask for whatever they think they can get. it can be quite expensive, and you and your Thai family, if you have one, will be held accountable for payment.

Medical care is cheap in Thai public hospitals and very expensive in a private one.For many expats language can be a problem in a public hospitals.

You get social security even though you live in Thailand?

Don't you get a Thai visa if you marry a Thai person? Is your wife a Thai ( sorry if I've offended you).

Hi Joe….How do you handle health care if Medicare is no good? Does your $1000 a month cover regular health care as well? How long is wait for those 90 day visas? Where in Thailand are you located? Can you speak Thai now? Thanks! I’m very interested in possibly retiring in Thailand. I hear Chang Mai is most agreeable with expats. Thanks again for any additional information!

Not with this expat!

I lived there for 6 months after I retired. Charming place, but the air quality is horrendous. Worst I've experienced - particularly in March and April.

Research it before you go.

I agree with you on the air quality in March and April.

Not with this expat!

I lived there for 6 months after I retired. Charming place, but the air quality is horrendous. Worst I've experienced - particularly in March and April.

Treatment at Public hospitals are good, cheap and Quality of healthcare in Thailand cities like Bangkok and Chiangmai are comparable to Singapore or India. I have dozens of relatives treated for major health issues there at public hospitals in Bangkok with very comparable success rates. All you need (if you can’t speak Thai) is the translators who are easy to hire everywhere in Bangkok. Taxi cabs are available everywhere cheap in cities if you don’t want to drive. We do it all the time.

You can’t own the land but you can own apartments. If you don’t like bangkok air quality, pick Chiangmai.

You can get maids permanently or as needed basis.

Considering you can put money down for Thai retirement visa, paid for apartment and still have around $ 1 or 2 lakhs, you can easily stay comfortably around $1200 or less unless you are a big spender.

I graduated from Cal State LA in 1969.

How much do you have to pay for health care?

Oh my gosh, thank you. You said the 25,000 must be replaced 3 months before the annual visa renewal. What does that mean? Do I need to have 25,000 on hand once a year? What health care do you use? I have Kaiser here and have Medicare and Medical. Do you pay for your own health care.

I pay cash for my medical care. In 13 years of living here and having cancer twice, a stroke where I lost my left eye, CAT scans, MRI scans, and at least 5 complete health check-ups, The roots of my two big toes removed, and all my dentistry done. The total cost was less than $20,000 You must have $25,000 once a year in a Thai bank. You can use this money during the year but it must be fully invested 3 months before your annual visa renewal.

Recently traveled with a retired social worker in Peru. Living large at the beach with decent waves, all meals at restaurants and a housekeeper on $900 a month. I was a little jealous… Cal State LA 1967 and my brother lives in Chiang Mai quite well. You probably know him Joe.

Just move to a cheaper area in the states where Medicare coverage works. Rural Arkansas or West Virginia. Housing is dirt cheap and you have medical care

Rent out the property of your homeland and then rent don’t buy in your country of choice. Life is much simpler that way and you can move on whenever you wish

afterwards your ladyfriend changes the locks of the house you bought in her name and…

Aside from costs, what are some of the advantages of Chiang Mai, or Thailand in general, for an American to retire to?

Great inspiration JOSEPH.

I wish to do the same and bought a condo. The 800k deposit visa ; can that be done before one turns 50?

It’s inspiring that one can live with 1k/month.

I will move up there soon. That’s my dream.

As far as I know, only the citizens of Thailand are allowed to purchase the properties in Thailand.

It’s cheaper to retire in the USA

Is there other form of medical insurance?

Follow the 20 rule of thumb. Which means if your annual income is $50k, 50k x 20 = $1M.

20 because the average years during retirement is 20 years.

Pension, 401k pmts to you, & social security pmts all reduce that requirement. I will make more than that in just pension & soc sec

Do you get tired of eating Thai food everyday?

With a wee bit more than that one could also move to Spain and other European countries. The choice of living in EU has its own + points in comparison to Far east!

$150,000/year,of anticipated life expectancy(guess that you are going to live another 10 years - $1,500,000).

The other advantage you have Joseph is every woman you want to date doesnt have a lawyer on Speed Dial

If you can pay cash for housing you dont necessarily need to goto Thailand..Quito Ecuador is almost as cheap and their currency is US Dollar

Just Sayin’

I don't know, for what I pay for Medicare, that just might get me by in another country?

Since you can't use your Medicare out side of the USA you have to paid everything yourself. Hopefully you can afford its if you don't have major health issues. Thailand , Malaysia, Vietnam International Hospitals are wonderful. Specialist doctors is less than $50 per visit. MRI , CT SCAN is less than $400 depending on what you needed. Drugs also cost lower than back home. You can buy at the Hospitals pharmacy or out side pharmacy with reasonable cost. Well known Drugs that made in those countries or from USA, FRANCE, HUNGARY, SINGAPORE etc…What we like the most is that each Hospital provides all services therefore you can get everything done in one place. Two hours waiting time for blood test, ultrasounds, MRI, CT SCAN etc..

They have all American goods and stores, as well as International restaurants, clothing stores , included tops designed clothes store more than you see in ours Malls in the USA. Finally, public transportation like MRT, SKY TRAIN, AND GRAB are also affordable. In Danang the International Airport only 15 minutes away, equally to 4km. The nice SUV Grab cost $3 usd but I aways happy to give $4 or $ 5 usd because the driver always help us with the luggage. So yes it is less worried about the money when you visit some Asian countries.

Do you have insurance at all there?

A key ingredient to retirement for us was to retire debt free. We sold our beautiful 4 bed/3 ba home and downsized considerably. We paid cash for our small 2 bed/2 ba modular. We retired debt free. We decided we wanted to enjoy retirement and not sit in a house and spend our time and $$ on upkeep. We travel. We have fun. We live in a gated 55+ community with plenty of amenities and some pretty awesome neighbors. We worked hard all our lives and were able to retire early. Best decision we made retiring!

As for what is the minimum, it depends on what tupe of lifestyle you expect to have and what, if any, any debts you may have.

My 86 year old mom has been living on 1000 dollars a month. She has been very resourceful and it has amazed me. She lives in Florida and was able get a section 8 apartment with low rent. She has also found programs for seniors that helps her with the light and Wi-Fi. It’s not the top of the line Wi-Fi. But it’s enough for her needs. She used to volunteered for years at her local churches food bank and they would help her with food. They still do. She also gets Medicare. Which covers her health insurance. There are many programs for low incomes seniors. You just have to look or find someone to help you find these resources. I just hope that this new administration doesn’t take away all these senior programs. Because we will probably have a higher amount of homeless seniors.

e^x=-2-x ??

That's not cheap at all

I’m 65 and have a 2m fund but another 8 would be nice. Darn gov keeps taking it.

Maybe it’s just me, or maybe you don’t have children or family, but I can’t imagine living half a world away from my children or grandchildren at some point. It’s different than being even on opposite sides of the country. There’s also the aspect of what they’ll have to deal with if your health fails or you become disabled. I would want to burden them with trying to oversee my healthcare or get me home, much less deal with my final arrangements if I died there. You may be able to live quite frugally in a lot of places but like royalty? That’s a stretch. If you didn’t make the life choices to be able to retire here I guess that’s the option you’re left with.

If you can't maintain more than $50,000 in your Thai account, you will eventually run out of money. Southeast Asia is becoming less affordable as a retirement destination for expatriate seniors due to new requirements that demand tens of thousands of dollars more than just five years ago. Many have returned to the U.S. and Canada. The motivation behind this push to extract money from expatriates is a mystery to me. I suspect it could be due to a grassroots revolt among locals or simply the greed of the wealthy.

where do you live?

I never heard of the new law of USD $13,000 being permanently locked in. I have been doing this for 13 years.

France Today

 France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, is under intense pressure to call snap parliamentary elections or resign as former allies join his opponents in demanding he act to end a spiralling political crisis in the EU’s second biggest economy.

Macron’s first prime minister on Tuesday urged the president to step down amid mounting frustration even within the president’s own camp over one of the worst spells of political chaos in France since the foundation of its Fifth Republic in 1958.

Édouard Philippe, prime minister from 2017 to 2020 and now leader of a Macron-allied party, said he should announce an early presidential election once a budget for next year was adopted. Macron was re-elected in April 2022 for a five-year term, but since snap legislative elections in 2024 his appointees as prime minister have been unable to summon a parliamentary majority to pass a budget.