Limiting your time in Thailand to 4-5 months a year and rotating around your 3 favourite countries could be easier, simpler, cheaper, more interesting and offer tax advantages. You could enjoy a mix of city life, beach life or a cool mountain climate.

I'd prefer doing a visa run. Pop over to Vietnam or down to Penang. Dentistry options in Vietnam are also suburb.

@Goldie *******

I thought no double taxation was already the standard. So do you mean they still tax your remittances but credit back any taxes paid already if to a tax treaty country? ... Which they otherwise don't do on other visas?

@Goldie *******

what is the tax exempt?

@Ronnie ******

thanks for sharing. In your case the most practical option might be getting cheap insurance that is good for the visa but not much more than that. Fortunately the medical care in Thailand is very good. I know some retired expats have been moving to Thailand from the Philippines for the better medical care. It is ironic because the Philippines are famous for their nurses.

@Ronnie ******

It does require health insurance although this can be waived if you can show a bank balance of USD$100,000 or more. They quote USD so presumably this can be in a foreign account on an interest bearing deposit. You're probably better off just getting the insurance if you can but nice to know you have an option.

@Max ************

The key factor is that the bank is licensed and located in Thailand, regulated by the Bank of Thailand (BOT), not necessarily Thai-owned. Foreign-owned banks operating branches or subsidiaries in Thailand, such as UOB (United Overseas Bank, Singapore-based but with a full Thai subsidiary), qualify as long as the account is opened in Thailand and holds THB. UOB Thailand is commonly used by expats for this purpose, including for retirement visa extensions, and there are no official restrictions based on foreign ownership. Other examples include HSBC, Citibank, or Standard Chartered, which are also accepted. Purely Thai-owned banks like Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn Bank, or Siam Commercial Bank are equally valid but not required over foreign-owned ones.

Chinese Bank, Thai branch THB balance I assume.

@George ********

wow, in what visa. I've had once since 2000. It is still in their system but I was unable to reactive it on a 60 day entry visa.

I thought medical care in Thailand was better.