@Peter *********

you’ll be disappointed with Ph infrastructure, traffic, cleanliness, food choices and lack of visa agents. Met my wife there and we retired to Thailand…no plans to return. Don’t get caught in all the FUD and misinformation going forward about expats living here. Simply love each day and…HODL your BTC 😂

I’d keep your money in the West…safely invested earning a minimum of 5-6% ROI. You can easily afford a “visa agent” with the income and retain your capital. Less hassle, no line waiting, no language/translation issues. 🥳

Dont believe everything you hear. Talk to a reputable agent.

Download the Wise app. Obtain their debit card. Transfer your home funds to your Wise “account” into your Baht “jar” or into your US$ “jar” (for a better rate later?). Arrive at Bangkok airport, go to nearest ATM and withdraw baht from your baht jar. It’s that simple. You can use it at any ATM…some have 20k limits but the “yellow” ATMs had 30k limits for 220 Baht fee. Once your bank account is open you simply transfer your baht funds from Wise to your bank and use their ATMs for no fee. I found the Wise exchange rate to be by far the best. From Canada I tried my TD bank direct and the rate offered was ridiculous. Wise is widely used in Asia…oodles of YouTube videos to familiarize yourself.

Save the hassle, leave your money invested in home country…hire a local agent. No headaches, got non Thai spouse onto my retirement visa. Worth every penny. As to Wise…exchange baht into US$ inside Wise…you can pull out at ATMs stateside when back home.

Make 1 trip. Stop in LA or Vancouver for a couple nights to break up the time. If able book business class for final leg…worth it for dedicated immigration line at Bangkok airport. Thru in 5 minutes ! Definitely get an agent who can handle the visa maze. Keep your 800k invested in US and your interest will more than pay the agent fees. Forget buying a condo until you’re here for 6-12 months minimum to see what,where you wanna be located. Personally Bangkok is too big…no beaches…I love Jomtien. I’ve basically did all the above steps myself…lol. There are ample agents that can handle your visa process, bank etc. I used “Thai Visa Pattaya” as Singh was able to handle some specific issues other agents weren’t. You can email him and he will advise. Your best to simply land on a Tourist visa as you can do your banking and retirement visas easily once here. Coopers Thai Adventures vlogs all about the Jomtien/Pattaya area awa the visa process…check him out. Youll Love Thailand 🥳

Check out Coopers Facebook page for tips 🥳

Makes no financial sense to buy a condo here. You are way better off getting an affordable rental during low season…booking for a year and paying up front secured a terrific deal. Keep your principal invested in your home country and even with “simple interest” returns you can easily pay the rent AND maintain your principal.