Cheow Larn lake floating huts at Khao Sok! Panvaree/The Greenery! It's an "off the grid" experience. Awesome though!

We would purchase a "throw away ticket" to Singapore or Malaysia, and just didn't use it.

But yes. You do need to show onward travel.

@Shan *******

Same day! Sometimes it might take until the next day.

However .... do not wait. Do it a week or two early in case they want more docs.

Never had that experience in the whole 6 plus yrs we've been here. They do ask for a house rental contract though, and maybe a TM30, which requires copy of housebook, landlord's ID and phone number.

@James ****

We went to Kasikorn at the big Tesco on Koh Samui in Lamai. We were on TV as well, trying to get the retirement visa.

If you're in a high tourist location your chances are better.

My Mom had success with the yellow bank. Krungsri on Samui.

@James ****

Yep. We've heard that before. What visa are you on?

We had a catch 22. You need a bank account to get a retirement visa, but some of the banks said we need a retirement visa or work permit to get a bank account.

Very frustrating. We finally went to a branch of Kasikorn that would do it for us.

Each branch is different. You can go to one Kasikorn and they say no, while a Kasikorn down the street will say yes. All the banks here do this.

Pro tip: Be sure to request online banking, or otherwise you probably won't get it.

@Nigel *********************

You forgot to mention a potential dowry to the family. I know 2 guys going through that now.

Stop testing.

We've been banking with Kasikorn (green bank) for 6 years now. No problems.

We have friends with Krungsri (yellow bank), and they like it. I don't remember if we had to get compulsory insurance or not, we were just excited to have found a bank that didn't give us the runaround, like Bangkok bank did. It was awful.

** Always remember, with any of these banks, you must ASK for internet banking!