@Wannikea ********

Thanks, but I already tried that, they won't do it

@Griff ******

Fair enough, but requirement for LTR is $80k passive income, so it would seem reasonable for Thai authorities to expect spending something close to that number. Not judging, just noting that here are lots of other visas targeting those with less income.

@Todd ********

Yes, you can either go cheap in BKK or spend the same as in western countries but significantly upgrade lifestyle. I chose the latter, and there are plenty of apartments in BKK well north of 120k bt/month. Prime properties are not cheap.

@Marty ********

I intentionally didn't use the word wealthy and I know it isn't, but I question someone trying to live on $2k/mth on LTR visa which is meant for well off people (by Thai standards). LTR is not intended for people squeaking by with pennies.

Honestly, I find these numbers extremely low for an LTR holder. I spend several times that number, rent alone is $4k+. If LTR holders only spend us$2k per month then the visa is a failure for Thailand as it's meant to attract those that are well off and will actually spend a bit.

@Bipin ******

the only thing I was asked for was a receipt for my health insurance. I provided this about a week after initial application. It took another five weeks for final BOI approval certificate, including Songkran break. My wife received hers three weeks after submission with a different officer, so it partly depends on luck (screen 1 was fast, screen 5 was slow). Good luck.

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

Thanks, much appreciated, will definitely need to be careful about the stamps, I hadn't thought of that.

Update in case it's helpful to anyone. I called the number provided by BOI (ending in 1109 or 1110) but these went straight to voicemail or cut off. VhatGPT gave me a number ending in 1100 and that worked. The fellow was pleasant enough. Although he couldn't explain why my wife has already been endorsed, he did suggest that my approval should come soon. Fingers crossed, perhaps screen 5 operator is a bit of a slacker.

We have also been waiting 5 weeks now. The only request was for insurance receipt and I provided immediately. Despite all the suggestions that BOI are responsive, my experience has been quite the opposite. Either cut and paste response (not specifically addressing the question) or no response at all. Most recently, they ignored my questions regarding health insurance and simply said "no additional documents have been requested". Nothing else. We are with screen 5, FWIW.

I am shipping from Philippines in a month, a 20 ft container with about 26cubic mtrs including two large TVs, some carpets, a Yamaha keyboard. I got customs estimates from two shippers and they were both in the US$800-1400 range. I could likely get the number down by excluding the electronics / keyboard / carpets, but will probably just ship it all. I don't find the amount unreasonable compared to what I was charged on the Philippines move.