After innitial set up of the retirement visa and once you switch to 65,000 baht per month transfers for year 2 extension (65k probably spent in baht in Thailand anyway per month) the retirement visa is probably better due to its almost permanent feature. Other visas are prone to drastic changes or withdrawal all together.

@Andy ***********

almost impossible not to remain tax resident in Oz then if even citizenship contributes to it…. Unless you sell everything, close all bank accounts and basically not step on australian soil … and even that probably after quite a few years of fights with the tax man.

@Andy ***********

indeed - if you are already paying taxes in your home country (eg rental income by default or pension income) having another tax residency can be expensive due to tax advice and tax return filling costs. The double taxation treaty may reduce the tax but personal allowances are very different and especially affect the state pension income (like in UK it is currently fully covered by personal allowance of £12,500 per annum). Thai personal allowance is much lower triggering a tax liability if becoming a tax resident in Thailand.

As long as you move around and not become a tax resident through physical presence of more than 180 days in any tax year you will be fine. Thai tax year is Jan-Dec

They usually want to see instant accessible funds in the bank account for up to last 6 months. The embassy you will apply through will tell you much clearer.

I had only TM30 from the hotel i was staying.

@Richard ******

2000 baht or $AUD? Both car and motorbike licence cost very little here in Thailand but must be residing in Thailand and go to the DLT office; a lot of paperwork, some tests etc (agent can facilitate for 6000 baht, same day service or can also do DIY for much less). If you paid in $AUD it is certainly a scam.

@Kimberly *******

the banks want to see long term lease, Letter of Residence from immigration which is based on TM30 and addressed to the bank and a long term visa in your passport. I was opening a Kasikorn bank account in Bangkok. I already had BKK bank account from before which i opened through an agent in Jomtien for 5000 baht.

@Kimberly *******

hope you received a reply …. I was rejected at 2 Kasikorn branches with just about every paper one could possibly ask … 3 rd time Lucky (as closing time was near and I assume they just wanted to get on with it instead of combing through my annual lease whether each page has been initialled and whether the TM30 printed and stamped by local Immigration office had surname first and then first name).

@Tim *******

👏👏