@Patra ******

Does it matter?

@Andi **********

Conveneice was more importance than savings when I was working. Back in 1999 I lived in a house on Soi 50. I worked in Lower Sukhumvit. No BTS then so it was taxi to work and home every day. Traffic horrendous and Skytrain construction etc. :-)

@Andi **********

I was lower Sukhumvit in Foreign Central. All foreigners in the company tened to live Phrong Phom to Ekemai. The Japanese were in the Japanese central location in same area. My office was Exchange Building corner of Asoke and Sukhumvit. When busy with work I might not go out of the Soi 1 to Emquartier area for a month or more :-)

@Steve *******

Agree. My view, and it is only my opinion so worth nothing. Immigration seem to be keeping their powder very dry over this visa. I think some might get surprises down the line. It is why I am not jumping to DTV. I have 7 months left on O and will let that run it's course. I will look at the lay of the land at the time. The Immigration office in Jomtien is less formal than other I hear about. They are so busy they have forced to be efficient. As for the dress of their customers I wince when I look at some of them their. Leo wife beaters and flip flops

@Sefton *******

Interesting reply from the agent. It is still 5k to open a bank account but must be over 50. I have asked follow up about DTV under 50. I am now interested in the reply :-)

@Andi **********

I have lived Bangkok and Pattaya. It is 95% certain I will move to Chiang Mai in February 2025. It just fits my lifestyle and needs now. If yiu have decent monthly budget there is nowhere in the world lie Bangkok if you are working or doing business :-)

@Steve *******

Good point. I have not heard anyone in my social group planning on a change. Only costs us 1900 a year though as no need for an agent. The worry is the change the DTV ie continuing reason to be proved and they change the O Retirement Visa amount without being grandfathered in.

@Gregory ******

Samui or surrounding islands. Phuket, Krabi. Hua Hin, Pattaya or Bang Saray for islands or seaside resorts with many foreigners. Bangkok as a major global city. Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai or Pai in the north. Many foreigners. Go to Isaan in North East. More rural but has larger provincial cities.

The standard advice to people who post. I want to retire to Thailand where is best is as follows. Go and live in a few places for 2 months or so. The atmosphere and culture is very different in places all over Thailand.

@Wannikea ********

It is down to competition. I can tell you which bank it is and during high season go in and there will be agents, wearing agency t-shirts, based in the branch permanently while other agency staff bring clients. They get a handful of numbered queue tickets at time time to hasten the waiting for clients