Aussie Koala 66 non o retirement needs no health insurance, non oa does. From what I’ve read from others, the insurance is hit and miss, meaning they can pay for something serious then drop you or make the payments unaffordable. The insurance would be for private hospitals, which are generally good but super expensive compared to the public hospitals. The same doctors go between the public and private hospitals, I believe they are obligated to do so. Diagnostic medicine at the private hospitals are pretty good, then if something is wrong, you can still get treatment at the public hospitals. The only issue at the public hospitals are the waiting times, but I don’t have any real schedule anyway.

If the goal is health insurance, why? The Thai health insurance system lets you go to public hospitals for almost nothing, but paying for it out of pocket for a falong is also minimal. Same hospitals as being on the social security system. If you have a problem paying for a public hospital visit, then you can’t afford to live here. Retirement visa is the way to go, non-O.

All you should have to do is get a certificate of residence from immigration for banking, a thai cell phone plan with your own number, not a shared plan, and a passport with non-o stamped in it. Go to K-bank and within an hour you will have an account. I did it in November. I am in Khon Kaen though, but BKK should be easier.

I looked at the rates for large amounts with Wise and a direct wire to K-bank, it was pretty much a wash with what wise takes and the exchange rate with a 25 usd charge. I use Wise for smaller amounts and it works fine, in seconds. The wire for large amounts took 2 days, but I have a recourse with the bank by talking directly with someone, I have heard that Wise is not easy to talk directly to.

I put 800k in my K-bank account within 3 days of opening the account, 6 days after arriving here. The 2 months of seasoning will be up on Jan 14, I have an appointment on the 15th. I will fill out the TM7, not the 47. The letter guarantee, since it is K-bank, I should be able to get it the same morning? Or the previous day? Does it need to be the same location where I opened the account? Thanks.

I just got my residence certificate from Khon Kaen, so you may be different. The only thing I had for an address was a copy of my SIL house book signed by her and a copy of her both sides, signed. I just showed up, no appointment. Hope this helps. Take someone who speaks thai, it's very helpful.

@Todd *******

500k baht

I received mine in 9 hours after applying. Los Angeles consulate. About 3 weeks ago.

@Peter ********

Sister in law