@Aeh *************

yes, we lived 13 years in SG on EP and wanted to retire to Thailand. The Thai Embassy would NOT give us a 90 day non immigrant O Visa. Only PR and citizens.

When I entered with my second passport, they asked me if I had another passport. Then requested the other passport which was already in their system from my last trip. They took a cellphone pic of it and linked them.

No problem to use either, but they are recorded in their system now through the matched biometrics.

The international is connected to your USA motorbike license right? I've got an international license on my USA car license and I'm legitimately able to drive here. In Pattaya.

My husband got his car and motorbike license easily on his own. He posted about his experience...if you still want to do that. It's only valid for 2 years and then needs to be renewed.

Since you're in Pattaya join this group if you care to read his detailed post:

91/?mibextid=Nif5oz

@Alistair *********

And you can store the 800K in a time deposit account here too. So it will earn a minimal interest.

@James *************

yes, that's correct. The work-around is using an agent to open it for you. I saw one agent that quoted 4000B. Seems they can "circumvent" that rule.

In Pattaya last week, i couldn't open an account until I got my (retirement) 1 year Visa first. (I only had a 90 day non Immigrant O visa). Asked at Kasikorn and Bangkok bank.

My husband opened his Bangkok bank account last June with ONLY a Visa on arrival and showing Certificate of residency and passport. Since this April, banks seem to be requiring a 1 year visa now.

Fortunately I converted my 90 day visa last week into a dependent Visa now and dont need my own account with 800k.

@Ellen *********

ministry of foreign affairs.

@Dave ********

yes, I heard from friend who moved to Bangkok 10+ years back...they paid a high amount too.

@Dave ********

that was on the entire shipment right? Like a big container? Our friends shipped their household last year including a big screen tv and prob 30 wall paintings and paid under 5000B in taxes.

@Linz ***********

Most of our retired friends shifted from Bali to Thailand now. Too congested with traffic in the coast 10 years. I'll be spending a month there in May...always nice to visit.