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Unanswereda month ago

How do I start the process of moving to Thailand as an expat?

Mike *******
asked Sep 26, 2026
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Help me. Where do I start
Summary so far
The original post seeks assistance on where to start the process of moving to Thailand. Commenters emphasize the need for specific questions and suggest various resources such as local Thai embassies, immigration agents, and online research. They point out that the requirements differ by embassy and immigration office, and having clear objectives is crucial for successful navigation of the visa application process.
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David *****
David *****
Bangkok airport. That's the start of your journey. ๐Ÿ˜Š
Mark *****
Mark *****
Do you know where u r going this has to be a prank post
David *******
David *******
On Google at Thai Immig site for facts.

Do not ask a nanny.

Simple.
Craig *******
Craig *******
With what would be helpful
Gary *******
Gary *******
๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚ normally with once upon a time ..

. give more details and it could be happily ever after ending ๐Ÿค”
Richard **********
Richard **********
Internet
Doug ********
Doug ********
If that's the best you can come up with ,start by staying home
Stew *********
Stew *********
Kind of vague....
Carlos *********
Carlos *********
Get an agent. No headaches
Francis **********
Francis **********
Google flight
Mark *******
Mark *******
What?
Dan *******
Dan *******
Based on this post, I would suggest with an agent.
Robert *********
Robert *********
At your nearest Thai embassy for info
Laila ********
Laila ********
Where do I begin

To tell the story of how great a love can be

The sweet love story that is older than the sea

The simple truth about the love she brings to me

Where do I startโ€ฆ

โ€ฆโ€ฆ..
Samuel ********
Samuel ********
If you wanna end it, do it home. Thats what the Thai PM wants you to do
Bob **********
Bob **********
Definitely start by getting a new hat ๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ˜Ž
Ricky ******
Ricky ******
Bob D'Andrea If you want to get ahead...get a hat. Sound advice
Bonnie *********
Bonnie *********
At the embassy website for your country. Read, inform yourself, then ask questions for clarification.
Colorado ******
Colorado ******
Jesus. Put on your big boys pants and use your brain.
Alexey **********
Alexey **********
Pattaya marathon last night?
Graeme *******
Graeme *******
Well read up about it, visit your local Thai Embassy and ask questions but it depends on what you are looking at doing. The FB page didn't feature when I decided to live in Thailand just read up on it ans visited the Embassy a couple of times now living here 6 years. Just doing marriage visa extension now.
Lisa *********
Lisa *********
Ask AI chatbot, I got heaps of advice on how to get through a 40 day holiday on a 30 day visa exemption, step by step on the process & when to do each step
James *******
James *******
Did you sleep with a ladyboy?
Jord ******
Jord ******
James Smith broโ€™s thinking about ladyboys at 5:30 am ๐Ÿ˜† go back to sleep fella
James *******
James *******
Jord Reep it's not 5.30 in PNG.....fella.
Manoah ******
Manoah ******
If you can't figure out the basics of travel on your own as a grown adult, then you should seriously stay where you're at. ๐Ÿคท
Adam *****
Adam *****
Start by saying exactly what you need...
Dianne ********
Dianne ********
Iโ€™ve been at this for months - coming from an office job comfy suburban life. Keep researching. Take notes. Youโ€™re not in Kansas anymore Dorothy.
Nigel *********
Nigel *********
Go spend time in Thailand first, and make sure that is where you want to live, and start your research from there.
Gary *******
Gary *******
Finishing a sentence helps ๐Ÿคท๐Ÿปโ€โ™‚๏ธ
John *********
John *********
Soi
***
?
Bartล‚omiej **********
Bartล‚omiej **********
Home
Ian ************
Ian ************
Google??
Edwin ********
Edwin ********
I have found that showing up IN PERSON (if allowed) at the embassies and consulates of Southeast Asian countries is the BEST way to get good and reliable and HELPFUL information about visa possibilities. (I have done this with Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia). Next in line are the respective websites of those same intitutions (MUCH less reliable). Third would be private visa agencies -- some are EXCELLENT and go BEYOND what you ask for, while others are WORSE than the worst, and I don't yet know how to tell you how to tell the difference between them, as even "word of mouth" recommendations can be misleading. And in on-line forums like this I would initially trust ONLY the admins at first. And for the other commenters ALWAYS check their profiles when assessing their advice, because SOME of the people offering confident advice in these fora are actually ABSOLUTELY NEWBIES AT BEST, and usually tell them apart by checking the profiles. Also there are TONS of impolite and unhelpful TROLLS on these farang-infested websites, acting worse than they would at home, so I suggest you go DIRECT to the nearest consulate or embassy, and there is often NOBODY ELSE IN THE WAITING ROOM, honest to God. And please feel free to PM me if you would like further input, and I am a SCHOLAR with 14 years of in-country experience and 46 years of total Thailand experience and I am NOT an agent and I DON'T want your money. I just want to have a good time and a comfortable and rewarding stay. Thanks. Dr. Edwin, PhD (Cornell University)
Ti ******
Ti ******
With more than that!๐Ÿ˜†
Adeeb *******
Adeeb *******
Starting you first sleep when you wake up than your mind come were you start๐Ÿ˜
Christopher *******
Christopher *******
I would start with a google search or contacting an immigration agent
Steven ******
Steven ******
At the beginning, what do you want?
Nita **********
Nita **********
Probably with a passport. Then maybe a slightly more specific question.
Dca *****
Dca *****
[ U.S. Defaultism ]

if you are over 50 years old, have an U.S. Passport, do not have a Thai bank account, planning to stay in Thailand for 90 Days or more, have an U.S. bank account balance of at least $30k Dollars, or perhaps have Monthly income of at least $2500 Dollars per Month, then Apply for a Nonโ€“O Eโ€“Visa Based on over 50 years old at the Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate with consular jurisdiction over where you live in the U.S. via the Thai eVisa Website
Genn*****
Genn*****
You have to know all the steps
Lynn ***********
Lynn ***********
The information we can obtain online is rather straightforward.
Julian *******
Julian *******
at the beginning
John ********
John ********
Go Home and Start Over
Nicknam*******
Nicknam*******
You start where you are, with what you have ๐Ÿ™
Alexander *********
Alexander *********
Dial 110 or 911. If really urgent: 555.
Michael ********
Michael ********
Chat GPT
Peter ********
Peter ********
You donโ€™t even have a question. How do you think people will be able to help you? ๐Ÿ˜“
John *******
John *******
There are some good starter videos on you tube. I've just watch 4 of them. Very informative and not too intense. Familiarise yourself with them and then come back and ask for any gaps you need filling. Fortunately for me, I've got a good friend who is really putting theirself out helping me. It is daunting, but with time and knowledge, im sure we'll get there. ๐Ÿ‘
Michael ********
Michael ********
Your Embassys website
Genn*****
Genn*****
I find a lot of information online and on Facebook, but nothing really concrete or reliable. I wish there were an organisation or platform where I could get the right information and proper guidance. Even local agents and law firms donโ€™t always provide accurate information.
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
Genna2740 Because there is no "right information and proper guidance."

The answer is different for every Thai embassy. They each make their own requirements.

The answer is different for every immigration office in every province of Thailand. They each make their own requirements.
Dave ******
Dave ******
@Brandon ***********
even down to the individual IO...on different days. Same with banks. The best you can do is deal with the requirements as they're met.
Genn*****
Genn*****
@Brandon ***********
Even then, you need to come with specific questions, not just say, โ€œI want to emigrate, guide me through the entire processโ€.
Nicknam*******
Nicknam*******
Genna2740 this group frequently offers concrete and reliable information. But the quality of the information depends on the quality of the question asked.
Genn*****
Genn*****
Nickname
*****
3 Also true, but if you donโ€™t know what or how, you also donโ€™t know exactly what to ask. Youโ€™re not helped by vague answers with a ๐Ÿ™ as a closing gesture.
Genn*****
Genn*****
Nickname
*****
3 Yes, That is also true.
Nicknam*******
Nicknam*******
Genna2740 alright leave the group then ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ We help out as much as possible based on information provided. Generally things like, when are you travelling, how long do you want to try to stay for, what country is your passport from, general previous entry history, would all be necessary if you want an somewhat reliable answer. OPs "question" leaves out all of that.
John ******
John ******
Thai embassy in your country
Lynnette *******
Lynnette *******
For what?
Michael ********
Michael ********
Lynnette Munoz probably something to do with the groups name.
Lynnette *******
Lynnette *******
Michael Winter that's fairly obvious, but for what? Visa advice and EVERYTHING else.
Graham ******
Graham ******
Michael Winter yes but what thing?

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