There is a specific group for Elite Visa. Can't be hard to find. If you don't qualify for LTR, then Elite the only option, unless over 50, married to a thai, have a child with a thai, setting up a business, or investment $1m with the BOI. I got the Elite just before the price increased by 50%. Now I'd question the value, as I don't bounce in/out often at all, just enjoy the long stay. You won't get accepted for Elite curently, if you've had ED Visa, or volunteer Visa.

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@Bill *******

well it does Bill. Some can get visas off it

@Mark *********

Jesus Mark, saying "I had no problem" when opening a bank account................years ago, is pretty pointless. Surely you are, as I and most are, aware that opening a bank account (post covid, but not relating to) on a tourist visa is much more difficult than it used to be. Got any more nuggets of wisdom, or are you walking around semi unconscious with your head in the clouds ?

@Andy *****

not saying anything about you. I believe what you say. I'm saying that anything involving thai immigration is no guarantee, or proof of anything, given that we should all now know that thai immigration is one of the most blatant corrupt government bodies outside of the third world, on a petty scale with their 300-500 baht imaginary charges, or to turn a blind eye to something or someone, upto the mass movement, at lunchtimes, of people that should or shouldn't be allowed through border points under scrutinisation, and of course don't forget the developing industry of Visa Agents, with close ties with immigration itself. Surely you've seen the envelopes passed around, and they ain't writing letters to each other. Therefore a proven criminals word, is pretty much worthless. Agents are just the English speaking cashiers that collect money and pass it on to which ever immigration Officer, at suitable, sensible, safe and secure time and place, usually a carpark to hand over single payment, covering hundreds or thousands of moody immigration services, a preferred alternative to fumbling disorganised idiot tourists dropping cash, notes and coins everywhere while trying to covertly slip the IO his 2000 baht 'fee'.

Apply for a visa 3 days before travel ?

@Andy *****

"legally through immigration" that itself is a major f#cking contradiction. There is little else more questionable than ANYTHING involving thai immigration. Like saying your tax accounts are legit, signed off by a Finance Officer from Uganda.

@Phil *****

don't take advise from them. Facebook would be more accurate and useful

Frank Edvin Johansen someone above has screenshot of requirements from an embassy website, it does say 'FLIGHT out of Thailand'

@Catherine **********

in my experience/opinion, it's not so much that 'healthy' food is so readily available (that which i was used to eating in the west), if so at great expense or effort to source. Anything imported is heavily taxed. Nuts and seeds, non tropical fruits, and of course fresh quality meat and fish etc. And within the local cuisine you have to chose carefully to eat healthily, as much food is fried (most don't have ovens) and they add sugar to everything. I see and hear people travelling across cities to pick up whatever latest craze of health foods are. And I see newly arrived couples in a supermarket picking out supplies for their 5-7 days meal plans like they are superior to the locals, and I'm thinking, thats gonna cost so much more than buying in local restaurants. Also, I didn't come Thailand to eat overnight oats, so I've given up caring for now. Pattongkho (deep fried doughnut sticks dipped in sweet milk, deep fried battered chicken and sticky rice, washed down with coke-cola. For breakfast. And for laundry, I dress differently here. I don't buy expensive clothes any more. Nothing that needs an iron. All dark clothing. So for 50-70 ? baht per kilo, I drop mine in a local shop, and save¹ my time for other things.

@Lynnette ******

I would argue that most DONT have washing machines. Maybe 20,000 baht/month rentals and up, will start to include a washing machine. But those in smaller/cheaper rental homes and single room dwellings won't have machines. There is usually a machine or group of, under a covered roof for residents and non residents to use. On koh samui it seems like at least 75% of thais live in these kind of homes, maybe 85-95%. And for the OP, it's not a case of 'eating out' but cooked meals are bought at meal times, like a take-away. The staple meals like khao kah moo, khao man gai, bamee moo daeng and all forms of noodles/soups, bbq meats, fried chicken, khanom, its all readily available, tasting great and dirt cheap, and there's no piles of dirty pots and pans, so no washing

Up. Its a different world here. A different life. Foreigner's that come here and cook ??? Now that shit is weird. I haven't even put a slice of bread in the toaster in 5 years. The kitchen in my villa, still the headquarters of the whole house, but nothing gets cooked. It's a 'show kitchen' - it is just for show.