@Anan *******

I've been a certified translator and leader in my field for some 30 years. The price to produce a certified translation of a birth certificate ($30) or transcript ($110) is far less than the many thousands paid for an Elite visa.

Certified translations are far less expensive than an Elite visa.

Having a beneficiary on an account is not (to my knowledge) the same as having a joint account. Even if a bank will allow a beneficiary's name to be listed on the account (from experience, I doubt it), it is possible that Stuart Cumming's comment will still apply, particularly if the beneficiary's name appears in the statement .

Mexico, Guatemala and Egypt are options. Mexico and Guatemala have straightforward residency or retirement visas, with climates and costs similar to Thailand. Antigua or Atitlan are the usual Guatemala go-tos, while Mexico has about a dozen cities that are easy picks for foreigners (de Allende $$$$, Playa del Carmen $$). Mexico has Internet like Thailand; Guatemala's is fairly slow. Private health providers in Quintana Roo (southern Mexico) are very pricey (think USA), public almost free. I think Guatemala's private are less expensive than MX.

Egypt's most popular hotspot is Dahab, followed by Sharm Esh (El) Sheikh on the Gulf of Aqaba. Both are excellent scuba destinations. Housing is generally cheaper than Thailand, restaurants pricier, markets similar, but the access to a variety of foods (you're in the desert) much less. I don't know if Egypt offers retirement visas, but in the past it was easy to renew six-month visitor visas for a low fee indefinitely. Like Mexico, public health affordable; private, much less so. Dahab is one of the most multicultural (Bedouin, Nubian, Egyptian, Jewish, Russian, Ukrainian, etc.) places you can find.

Some of the choices mentioned above by others are expensive compared to Thailand.

Malaysia (particularly Penang) offers extremely affordable luxury housing, plus outstanding, low-cost private/public health. However, its long-term visa choices have been constantly revised over the past five years, some being shut down months after their launch. Others reportedly have had very few takers. The ones I've seen involve a multitude of hurdles, including locking up a large amount of money in a low-interest account with a currency that has historically declined regularly against the USD. Furthermore, a large chunk of your application fee ($$$) has to be paid up-front. Visa waits can be months--or much longer.

MVNO (USA) = $5-$10/month for "US originating" calls and SMS. Check if possible through WiFi calling if it works for you. Normally no roaming charge.

Thailand

Yes, that's probably true.

Great to know, Michael!

Thanks Bob. But if you are good in the market and it takes a business day to settle your trade or fund, is there anyway to do that?

Thanks Bruce. That means you can't withdraw it from an ATM, but can get it the same business day. Good to know :)