This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

expat life

Showing 579 questions

This page displays all the results for the expat life tag, sorted by the most recent activity. There are a total of 579 questions that have been tagged with expat life. Explore the questions to find discussions and information relevant to this topic.
Jun 7, 2025
2 days ago
Both Thai-Cambodia Border Checkpoints in Chanthaburi Province Closed — Say goodbye (for now) to border bouncers. These crossings were easy targets for border-run agencies, But with all land borders to Myanmar and Cambodia now shut, options are drying up fast. Only a few Laos crossings remain open, and even those especially Nong Khai have tightened significantly. If you're in Thailand relying on border runs to reset your stay, consider this a serious warning
Jun 7, 2025
2 days ago
DTV Approved (Soft Power - Muay Thai) - Singapore - Non Singaporean

Hello! This group has been super helpful and I wanted to share my experience. I was living in Singapore under a work visa and I applied under the Muay Thai category.

First attempt - 26 March - Rejected due to wrong Place of Issue. I put the issuing country of my passport but it was supposed to be the "Authority" field.

Second attempt - 22 April - Provided all the documents (my passport, rent contract in Singapore under my name, my work visa screenshot and picture, letter from my girlfriend stating I was going to live with her in Thailand, her ID and her rent contract, Muay Thai training contract including the gym's owner passport and banking statement in SGD).

Interview - 13 May - They asked me a lot of questions to double check my situation. Where I was working, how long I knew my girlfriend, my profession, if I ever had trained Muay Thai before, etc. After almost 2 hours, they approved it in the final of the interview.

Arrival in Thailand - 16 May - I arrived in Thailand and they didn't ask anything, just stamped the passport. I had also put my Thai visa number on TDAC already, this could have helped.

Feel free to ask any questions.
Jun 7, 2025
2 days ago
Hi everyone, I’m completely lost and need some advice 😞

I applied for the DTV visa at the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh on 13 May 2025. After submitting the additional documents, the status changed to Pending Approval on 15 May, but until now (7 June) there’s been no update.

My Cambodia TR visa expires on 11 June, and I’m really worried they won’t approve the DTV in time. Tomorrow is Sunday, and I can only hope for something on 9 or 10 June, but honestly I don’t think it will be processed that fast.

So I have a few questions:

1. Should I fly to another country and wait there for the result?

2. Can I do a border bounce and come back to Cambodia? If yes, which border do you recommend?

3. Is there any way to extend my Cambodia TR visa without leaving? If yes, please tell me how to do?

I’ve been crawling in my hotel room for nearly 30 days and the expenses are killing me 🤧.

Any advice or similar experience would really help 🙏 Thank you so much!
May 31, 2025
9 days ago
Some says Taiwan is easy, got it in a day or two. Some says the opposite. Does it make a difference between soft power and workation? Feels like the latter is easier, which is the one I'm going for.

Any thoughts ? Wishing you all success in this 🙌🏿
May 23, 2025
17 days ago
Day 5 in Vientiane.

Application still stuck at the first step, was asked for a different passport photo on Tuesday which I sent immediately.

No further contact from them.

I'd seriously rethink coming here, not just for it being slow but every day in this city feels like a month.

The city is in ruin's and it's like a ghost town.

There are so many other beautiful surrounding countries that you could apply.

Even if it took 3-4 weeks elsewhere it would be a better choice than here.

Hope this helps others avoid this miserable place.
May 17, 2025
23 days ago
David ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
FYI - Phone plans

I started with the 15 day unlimited tourist sim. When that ended, i was just going with pre-paid (Dtac). That really chews through the data and the $$ is very high. I have read various posts here and other groups that you need to pay 1 year in advance for monthly post paid plan, or sometimes without work permit they will deny you.

I went to Dtac at Tesco Chalong. No issues at all. To note, you cant convert from tourist sim to post paid until you have had it for 30 days, and i was at only 21 days(maybe only a Dtac rule, im not sure). So i didnt get to keep my original number, but i was able to get onto a new post paid plan, with a new number straight away, no problems.

All i needed was my passport and DTV visa printout (i also had copy of my 1 year lease, but they didnt need to see this). They did ask if we have work permit, but i said no, not able to work. They also asked if we had Thai bank account, but i said no, just Australian bank account.

Plan given on the spot, no pre-payment for 12mths or anything like that.

1199 baht per mth, unlimited fast data, 350 minutes calls to any network.
May 14, 2025
25 days ago
Henry ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am arriving in 4 weeks. I am very sure of every question on the arrival form but one. “Occupation”. I am retired and now and receiving my state pension. Should I say my occupation before I retired or my current situation. Retired or on a pensionThank you.
May 13, 2025
a month ago
Manuel *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I want to visit Thailand in summer. Can I find a football team that I can play for because I wish to stay in thailand.
May 12, 2025
a month ago
Connor ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does anyone know any Muay Thai gyms in Hua Hin that’ll accept my DTV visa?

I’ve used the 60 days free visa I get from the uk 3 times within the last 8 months and want to come again in July. Would i get stopped for coming again too many times even if I can prove my money?
Previous page
Page 1 of 58