@Chan *****

yes you will need to sign a contract - theres different options available though - only the store will give you exact info really.

Get a SIM card for a month then internet & sim package later. My package with AIS is about 320baht/mth for fiber internet & a 5Gb SIM card. Will take about a week to install. Ask in a store for the best specials they have.

@Mikie ********

Philippines is much easier to just keep rolling over visa extensions without leaving the country even without a retirement visa. Probably worth trying it out for a few months to see how you like it, especially if you're not fully set up in Thailand yet.

@Paul ******

yep, shared taxi is $10 each. Also not far from Lake Tonle Sap.

@Vincent ******

even hotels can be a problem with them. They often resell stuff from another "partner" with false photos or details & if something goes wrong they can't/won't fix it.

I used the travel insurance policy that's with my Revolut card - for EUR7.50 a month its pretty cheap for Europeans who don't typically have US credit card options. Was accepted both times so far.

@ลีน่า ********************

Its better to get rid of both tests & the Thailand Pass. The insane testing is doing nothing other than direct testing resources to those who don't need it.

@Andy ********

yeah lots of people from US use Schwab. Unfortunately hard to get for those in other countries.

@Tim ******

Singapore is a total pain at the moment too with PCR required before flight, on entry & then supervised antigen tests daily.

The Thai visa system hasn't really worked well for a long time. In some ways the current covid extensions + STV options are better than what was there before for anyone under 50 that wants to stay long term & doesn't fit existing categories. STV could have been more effective if they hadn't lumped in a whole lot of paperwork requirements or prerequisites that are in some cases just impossible to get.

There's plenty who want to live in TH & manage their investments remotely, maybe have an online business, or are be prepared to risk their savings trying to start one. Those that were here at the start of covid are often using covid extensions because its the least-worst or only option.

They don't want to do ED, don't want to start a business in TH & don't want to work a regular job, & maybe have dating prospects or relationships outside Thailand & so don't qualify for any of the current visa categories.

If you're in that category technically the only legitimate visa is an elite visa for a 500K, or to use an agent to effectively pay a bribe into a corrupt system. One of the main attractions of Thailand has always been that its cheap - if you add the cost of visa agents or an elite visa, it really isn't cheap anymore. Before covid - lots of digital nomads would be based here & do visa runs which isn't possible now. If there were a less cumbersome option they'd have taken it.

In practice, many people who would be here supporting all those businesses that really need the extra income right now are moving elsewhere, because the covid extensions aren't really attractive & the combination of outdoor mask mandates, a 3 PCT test requirement for any re-entry + all the Thailand pass nonsense just makes it much less attractive than many of the alternatives. The reality is, that unless they ease up on the requirements people won't come.