@Vinit *******

My 5000 Baht Room was near BTS on the same side of the river as Icon Siam (before it was built)

You assume to much. That is why you pay to much. Get a Thai friend who knows enough English that they can translate for you.

You will save a lot of money.

Saying to me "Depends on what part of town" is like saying 'Depends on if you want to pay to much.'

If you put a little effort into research, you won't be just another ripped-off foreigner.

It bothers me, a little, when Expats think a $2000/month income is necessary. Because you will get screwed if you think that. And the Government will make it law that foreigners earn more than that to live there even though Thais are lucky to Earn of that. (Oh... what's that you say? They did make that a law?...Oh! Well then!)

@Vinit *******

I am assuming he meant USD

The average salary of a full-time working Thai in the Provinces is ~300 USD/month.

The average full-time working Thai in Bangkok makes ~1000 USD/month

Decent Room in Bangkok can be rented for less than $300 including utilities. A decent one-bedroom apartment in BKK can be rented for 500-600 USD a month.

@Tod ********

Western Tourists strike again! Let the culling by Immigration begin!

@Ulrik ********

I was using Thailand to get mail and keep larger possessions in a leased room.

I was traveling all over and was returning from 30 days in Panang. I was trying to get my 30 day stamp before heading off again to Hong Kong and then to Cambodia (where I am now).

The reasons didn't matter to immigration. And the IO at the desk just refused entry to 3 people in a row before me. I thought I should change lines, but I figured I was doing everything 100% correctly and didn't want to seem suspicious.

The 2nd and 3rd set of IOs (before sending you back) didn't speak English and didn't care about my motives.

I managed to get them to give me 30 days because they could see the the prior trip was 60 days in Indonesia & Malaysia. I think by the time I made them understand that, they had already decided I was trying live in Thailand so it was a feat to get them give me the stamp. But they noted, by hand, in my passport that I was trying to live in Thailand.

By the time I got passed the language barrier, they already decided my motives and I would have had to change their mind. Good luck with that!

I think the Red Flag they were operating under was that I hadn't been back the USA in a year. I couldn't seem to make them understand that my country does not put a time limit on how long I can be away.

And, naturally, since I didn't go back home, their Logic was that I must be living in Thailand. Although they could clearly see that I was taking 30 or 60 day trips elsewhere. The problem was that I was asking them to think. They didn't want to do that. It is easier to make a decision first than to think of other situations. Especially if they don't speak my language (or that I don't speak theirs).

@Jared *********

If you have spent much time in Thailand, you would know that what is in writing does not matter much.

Eh! That is Thailand. No matter what they say, I would recommend anyone just assume it is before arrival.

I got expelled from Thailand 2 years ago because I listened to a -lawyer- that a tourist can remain in Thailand 6 months in a -Calander year- but the immediate Immigration decided it was 6 months in 12 month period. I was 11 days over. So they gave me 30 days to get out. Had to abandon my room lease and many of my larger belongings. Just for being 11 days over their interpretation of the unofficial policy.

@Michael *******

Yes, I believe when you extend here to an "O Visa" that is when you need 80k in a Thai Bank. Also probably speciations as to how how long the funds need to be there before you apply for the O.

Last I heard.

Lots of things disappeared with the tourists.

@Will ***********

You are staying somewhere, right?

Then what is the problem?

@Joseph ********

I missed it. You want to extend on the day of arrival? Why?