@Jason *******

sprint and Verizon work in CDMA, which is technologically different then GSM, used by T-Mobile, ATT, and all Thai carriers. However, iPhones have modems for both, so you can get a thai SIM card. Then you can have Google Maps, Facebook, etc, and use you line or Whatsapp. That being said, make sure your phone is unlocked. Especially many T-Mobile’s are locked. If you are staying in Thailand permanently, think carefully about giving up your USA cell phone account. I put mine on a Google Voice so I can get the texts from banks and credit cards, but recently they’ve started a thing where you have to have a real, American working cell phone, they verify with your carrier, not just have you enter the code.

@Adrian *****

that’s Bumrungrad Hospital

@James *********

I believe you can get international guaranteed renewable insurance if you are young and healthy. As an older person, or with pre-existing conditions it is either unavailable or too expensive.

Try insurance for ex-pats is medically underwritten and not guaranteed against rate increases or non-renewal. So the older we get the harder it’s going to be to manage this.

Are you only staying 30 days? If so, have return ticket and ฿20,000 baht or it’s equivalent in pounds, dollars, Euros, cash only.

@Paul ********

but that one’s about to require health insurance. I prefer non O gotten in Thailand which, so far, does not.

Wayne Jaeger Bangkok Bank insisted on keeping my original letter, Krungsri just made a copy.

@Tom ****************

I have account at Sukhumvit 31, near Emquartier. I brought USA embassy letter of residency, condo contract, printout of USA accounts with large balance, 60 day tourist visa which I later changed to non O retirement. I got savings account and debit card, mobile app and internet banking. I dressed professionally.

and O-A and non-O retirement will not require you to leave the country periodically.

You can a) apply for new O visa in London, if they still issue them, or apply for O-A visa there, needs medical and police check from UK (thai medical might be ok). b) get new 60 day tourist visa in London or a nearby Asian country. Convert to Non-O retirement, which will get you additional year after first 90 days. You will need proof of ฿65K/month income or ฿800K in Thai bank. No medical, police, or health insurance as of now. I have this one.