Anyone looking for a great cooking course with good support for DTV app, try House of Taste in Bangkok or Phuket. Great

experience.

First Visa Run 2026 - CM to Chiang Khong

Hi everyone, I'm looking for a quick sanity check on my first visa run of the year. (I haven't been in Thailand during 2025)

I'm currently in Chiang Mai and I'm traveling on a passport that qualifies for the standard 60+30-day visa exemption.

My current visa expires May 15th. I’m planning to DIY via the Green Bus to Chiang Khong/Huay Xai around May 13th.

My Plan:

1. DIY via Green Bus + Tuk-tuks.

2. Have $40 USD (pristine) for Lao VOA + 2 photos.

3. TDAC QR code ready for re-entry.

4. 20k THB cash + proof of onward travel ready.

Questions:

* Has anyone done this specific land border in the last week? Any issues with "same-day" turnarounds for a first-timer this year?

* How is the TDAC verification at the bridge? Does it add a lot of time to the process?

* Is it better to book the Green Bus a few days in advance, or is there usually space on the day?

* Is it actually worth spending the "peace of mind" money to the visa run agencies to ensure my reentry?

Thanks for any recent updates!

I have just came back from Thailand i was there for 28 days when im i allowed to go back sorry for the stupid question I got back to Australia on the 24 of April and that was mine 2nd time in 12 months thanks for your answers

Hello. I’m looking for any information about where to start with relocating to Thailand from the US. My husband is a disabled Vet so he has guaranteed income. I would continue to work remote at my current job. Please give me all the tips and tricks. Looking for relocate in about 2.5 years. Not sure if this is important but we will be 38 & 40 when we head to Thailand.

Is it good idea to go Singapore for DTV? How long it might take any suggestions?

Why did you finally settle with a Thai visa? And which countries did you consider in the run-up to Thailand?

Just for fun obviously not real..... but someone sent it to me and it made me laugh.

T H A N K S in advance for any useful answers you might provide as a result of your experience or interactions with others. Bail out now if you tire of long posts.

Post reason: data gathering for decision support...

-------------------------------------thinking about :-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Selling u.s.house this year

.vs.

Rent out for a few years(3-5) while price increases AND HELOC gets paid off.

(I have a trusted young friend who can manage/mauntain for the next 3-5 years)

Taking the cash now verses possibly doubling it in 3-5 years will affect my nest egg size.

E$timate$: (on the low side, allowing for less than "stellar performance")

5-6 milThaiBaht (house sell price - HELOC) 300 minus 100 k.usd

vs.

10-12 milThaiBaht

(3-5 more years of appreciation and NO HELOC to pay off) 400 minus 0 k.usd

Also, some upgrades to occur while price goes up in a good seller's market.

----------------------‐----------- THE QUESTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

about self-insure/nest egg...

ARE SINGLE RETIREES COMING HERE WITH:

NO NESTEGG?

Less than 200kUSD?

200k-500kUSD?

WHAT $________usd?

OVER 500kUSD*? (*Well done sir/madam)

I'm not asking you to state exactly what you have, but you "may have heard" what your friends or others are coming here with.

----------------------------------details below-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Much & Many Thanks to anyone who hangs in there and reads this long post, but it is something all?most? of us will/are/have consider/ing/ed.

0. Currently living in Thailand part time on two 3 month visits per year. I'll be on a non0 by Oct (yes agent, a whole other topic)

1. Monthly pensions>100kThaiBaht, so I'm ok on the monthly for 2people in Thailand🇹🇭.

2. No nest egg other than 1 u.s.house and ~$70k life ins.policy.

2.a. life ins.policy is intended for my girlfriend.

3. Health insurance will be some what difficult to get at a reasonable cost for 70 yr old and won"t cover pre-existing conditions and a few other old.dude things.

Reading up on healthcare in Thailand I find that self-insuring is a thing.

For the record: self-insure = big$ca$h in a bank [or equivalent credit / easily liquidated].

Besides the knee, I'm in good 70.yr.old health with demonstrated family longevity into the upper 80s to mid 90s.

Again... thank you for your time

How are things in Thailand and are the streets and tourism noticeably down as reported?

I’m going to move to Thailand. I like to retire there people tell me what’s best is just fly ? How do I go about this? What do I go to to report? I need health insurance I’m looking to move to Hohen. and go and find yourself what you need. I like the Visa. I want to get one of those visas where you report once a year and I know that you need the how much money in the bank I take 24,000 American dollars does anyone know what to do looking to move Hua Hin