@Frank *********

my agent is the immigration officer when you have been in thailand (Asia) for a long time (me 25 years plus) you cultivate ties and ride the Cuture to suit when possible as the thais do

@Nick *******

don't worry agents are fine ignore the righteous folks on here ,as for money (ok we have our own house and land in remote ish area of southern Thailand but serously wife and me live comfortably on 30k a month and no we don't starve have a few beers have 5 dogs motorcycles car ok we cook and eat at home we are not rich but not poor as you said better be poor here than freeze to death in UK ....possibly the only thing I would suggest us look for best health insurance as possible as peace of mind

@Jo *********

HSBC sold thier normal banks to bank of auythaya years ago they only have a representative office I think in BKK

@Graham *****

ha ha ha ..I don't supose I am alone

@Keith ******

you are obviously not familiar with the agent system.....its only in the bank for a matter of seconds just a paper entry bank take a cut to provide validation..no agent actually lends the money for any length of time

@Keith ******

ha ha ha they have been saying that since I came in 1998, in those days I was running a travel company with 50 odd staff all on visa exemption..god those were the days! if so I can use the other methods but working away I get my main income into UK bank, this time I didn't have full amount in my Bangkok bank so i just gave my agent a call and all sorted ...needs .must etc

@Keith ******

yes of course! but it suits me and is simply a cost of living here if you don't keep the money in a Thai bank

@Keith ******

yes I totally understand I have a 3 month and 12 month visa at moment and yes my agent arranged it for me as coming back here after being away working abroad it was the best option for me

@John *********

I think we all.knew what he meant

@Jeremy *******

agree probably a sensible option at least for the first year