@Steve *******

some expats are just too lazy or unable to figure out the process. Rather hide it under the excuse of "I've got enough money, etc"! We can read between the lines. They just can't swing the procedure or they can't afford the 800k?

Agree, it only took about 1.5 hours with bank verification, waiting, photocopies, etc. Jomtien has improved alot since the past year too.

@Stewart *********

it took me 7 months to get a 90 day O Visa outside of Thailand. Was refused it by USA WASH DC Thai embassy. The embassy said they would only issue it if my husband had a work Visa (and NOT possible for a 1 year retirement visa). Finally after trying in a few more countries, I got it in Penang. But they stopped giving them now based on retirement.

And then it took months to get the required new marriage certificates and various official stamps. That cost 11k baht.

In hind sight, if you're over 50 as a spouse, it's easier to get your own retirement Visa.

Currently both of you need 800k in separate individual accounts. Unless you can manage to get a dependent Visa on the initial retiree. This has gotten quite complicated in recent months.

If you are fortunate to be from country (NOT American or British) that gives proof of income, it will be easier...as you can use income based method.

But as people mention, requirements change regularly here.

@Vernie ***********************

Professional translation of marriage certificate was done here. It cost 1500b. Our embassy's paperwork (that certified the authenticity) included English so it did not require any translation.

We professionally translated ours into English as our country offers it with 3 languages, but NOT English. We were told English OR Thai was fine. (Other friends who had an original in English didnt need a translation.)

MFA stamps the original copy of marriage certificate (that our embassy has already stamped earlier). It took 2 days for MFA.

@Sharron ******

I'd spend time exploring. There are so many choices. We drive. So that's a factor. Covered parking/traffic/roads, etc. Staying at Na Jomtien can be peaceful, but it takes forever to get anywhere.

Also living along the 10 baht bus route is great, if you dont drive. You really need to spend time looking at places. If you arrive between Nov and April, your choices are fewer. Prices also drop after peak season.

I've commuted from Florida for years. I try to stop on the West coast to breakup the journey. Then JAL, Singapore airlines are great. But with a pet, you might have less options.

We got an Non Immigrant O Visa. We applied directly in Thailand for this. If you choose this route, get a 60 day visa online. Florida residents apply from Wash DC location. Then you can extend in Thailand an additional 30days. This should avoid having to leave Thailand...if you start the process immediately on arrival.

It just takes a bit of know how and persistence to do the O Visa here on your own. Jomtien immigration has improved in the past 6 months too. We put the requisite 800k into a bank account (but opening the bank account might require an agent's help on a tourist visa. It was easy before April.) I would NOT suggest using an agent for the 800k deposit as you will be forever stuck with them and immigration is clamping down on these kind of twisting the laws. Following the immigration requirements gives a certain piece of mind.

You might be looking at the OA Visa (which you apply for on your home country), this requires both "in and out" patient medical insurance.

We've got full inpatient hospital insurance. But getting coverage after 70 can be difficult and pre-existing conditions are excluded.

Jomtien is a nice place to live. Lots of great restaurants and condos. Most places are completely furnished too. Renting makes more sense. Dont lock up your money in an asset that probably wont appreciate. And you might even decide to move (bad neighbors, or finding a better area or condo) and then need to sell it. We've moved around Jomtien quite a bit trying out different parts. Rents are so cheap. And so are monthly hotel rentals.

Best of luck.

@Ruth ******

Well I came from Singapore where it was enforced. Heavy fines. But this is Thailand!

I did see some condo units on Agoda/Booking which surprised me. Guess everyone is on the Gravy Train now.

I figured here that neighbors would report abuse to management...esp the people who rent to make big parties. I guess it's up to the condo to enforce...or turn a blind eye. But I cant imagine signing a rental contract and then discovering your neighbors are changing every few days.

When I decide to sign a lease, I think I'll check closely which condos have a lot of listings on AirBnb and avoid them!

@Craig ******

Living AND traveling together throughout Thailand.

After renting a condo for 2 months at the beginning (directly from condo's juristic office), it wasn't worth the hassle. Kitchen was so minimal that we often just did take away there. Then add in: cleaning charges, sometimes higher electricity rates, setting up internet, getting deposits back, etc.

Plus it's more fun to eat out. (Homemade meals are now more just salad). I love cooking, but the amazing food here doesnt make me miss cooking...yet.

Plus renting longer term meant leaving the place empty while we travel... which is 85% of the time. Didnt make sense. So we got a storage room instead for the things we shipped over.

But most people who move to Thailand dont tend to explore the country and countryside.

Smaller run hotels often have monthly rates.high and low season prices. Also coin washing machines are often inside premises...or nearby.

Many condos in Thailand forbid Airbnb rentals unless they are over 1 month. I've often seen signs up stating that. Since many buildings have guards and cameras, you wouldn't want to fork out money and get booted out.

Fir the past 18 months in Thailand, we've used Agoda and Booking.com. And sometimes rent monthly at hotels (which include wifi, and cleaning and sometimes water and electricity). They include a fridge and sometimes a microwave too.

I've seen that Airbnb often charges fees for these on top of the posted rate. Just go to hotels and ask for monthly rates. Surprisingly much cheaper than Airbnb.