Can you actually be any more offensive? Seriously, just because you have had a bad experience doesn't mean everyone has or will. Thai people are beautiful, intelligent and caring ....unless you disrespect them. Obviously from reading your rant, you haven't treated others with respect and it's come back and hit you square in the face.

I think there are small communities of expats everywhere in Thailand so I would look at what it is you are looking for in a place, rather than finding a place with expats from a specific region. Where we live in Meuang Prachuap Khiri Khan we have a number of American expats as well as a few from other nations. Its a less busy place than Hua Hin or Pattya and quite a few expat couples which we enjoy socialising with, but less choices for shopping. We enjoy a nice quiet laid back lifestyle so it suits us, but if you are looking for shopping and falang foods in restaurants, the choices are a bit more limited, in saying that though there are a few that have decent falang food. It really depends on what you are looking for in regards to lifestyle on where you will be happiest.

Just FYI, we went to the airport and had no issues at all getting our reentry stamp (no line at all at the rentry stamp counter) and while there was a line up to get through immigration it took only about 15 minutes, so still had 2 and hours to kill before boarding. It was far easier than I expected! Thanks for all the help!

@Colin **************

thanks Colin, unfortunately, unless it is 100% necessary we can't as we have quite a bit to do to prepare ourselves for this trip both physically and mentally. Unfortunately this isn't the best of circumstances.

@Gareth *******

thanks for that info. I think as long as we give ourselves plenty of time it shouldn't be an issue.

@Graham ******

we are planning on being at the airport at least 3-6 hours before checking in (dependant on traffic from pkk to bangkok), I am hoping that is enough time.

@Richard ********

thank you

@Brandon ***********

thank you

Everyone has different experiences and what works for one may not work for another. My husband and I arrived in Jan 2023 (I am originally from the US but hubby is Australian) - we deposited the 800K (each as I did not want a trailing visa) shortly after arriving to Thailand on a visa exempt entry (at the time that was 45 days, I believe this has changed now) we applied for a 30 day extension when it was time. We then applied for a non O retirement visa with help from a Thai friend and were approved (Hua Hin) for our 90 day retirement visa. When it was time to renew we had to return to Hua Hin (we moved to PKK shortly after getting out visas sorted) to do the year extension for 1900 each. Keep in mind that you need to keep your bank account funds for the 90 day / annual update and you need to show your statement from the bank showing the funds exist in your account.

Lots of people use agents to help make the process easier, but with research and following the regulations, it is fairly easy to do it yourself.

Tod, there are always keyboard warriors who will think they can do a better job. Here's the thing though, there is nothing stopping them from making their own group to run as they believe it should be run. Fact here, many of us have gotten really good advice in this group. As you are one that always chimes in with helpful advice and not the twisted sarcastic remarks we see from those that really shouldn't still be here since they are bored with answering the same questions or believe that the question is silly, please don't let those troll types get to you. Life is too short to allow people who have nothing better to do than online bully have their way. You do a great job and the majority of us appreciate you.