@John *********

why, thank you! I aim to please. As long as I can keep the trolls happy, my life is complete. Any other helpful comments?

@Sheen ***********

I’m not in the least bit surprised that someone stood up for him. The number of people who live in Thailand because their money goes further, then look down at those who have less, is astounding.

@Kev ********

where did he say that he didn’t have reserves? He said he is traveling on a shoestring budget and doesn’t have money FOR A TAXI. That doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have reserves that he doesn’t want to spend on a taxi. Who made you in charge of his budget and assessment of who he is based upon a few words?

I travel differently than he, but I know people who choose a path similar to his. I have great respect for them and they DO have budgets for emergencies. The reason they do is that they reserve it for…wait for it…emergencies.

At this time, please tell me what is the reason you have, beyond his budget, to show him such disrespect? Is it the fact that he has the advanced planning to have an appointment setup. Is it the fact that he’s asking how long public transit takes to get to that appointment? What exactly is wrong with what he has done that has earned him disrespect or any reason to believe he is not prepared for his travels other than the fact that he said he is trying to stay within a budget?

@Kev ********

but you made very clear that you look down upon those who rely upon public transit. You say you don’t look down upon labourers, but then you’ve done exactly that. If you really don’t do so in your real life, perhaps you need to remember to bring the same respect to your online actions. I’ll admit that the difference is not uncommon. Maybe we can both help improve the online.

@Terary *********

my plan is to get the O visa (retirement extension) in-country. I’m just wanting to find the best visa for my return trip, although the more I’m looking at it and thinking about it, maybe I should just return without a visa again. I am looking at moving to Thailand, but I really am still touring. I just didn’t want to run into problems as I go in and out of Thailand. I thought establishing residency would make things simpler but it sounds like it could be the reverse.

@Kev ********

I wonder how much respect you have for the citizens of the country in which you’ve chosen to live.

@David ******

It would either be a tourist visa or a non-O. I had considered an METV, but I thought I read that those recently went away. They are not listed on the embassy's website.

I know the requirements (bank statements, etc.). I just thought they needed to be applied for within the States if one is from there. I may have just imagined that requirement :-), which is why I asked the question.

@John *********

I think you're correct. My concern is that everyone says this is how one enters Thailand to then apply for a retirement visa extension, except the application says a stay "no longer than 90 days". Is that just a verbiage issue? The 90 days is simply then extended, right? Additionally, what if I want to leave within that 90 days? Is there a multiple-entry option with that? Sorry, I should have asked that from the get-go.

@John *********

My extension was also for 30 days from but I'm actually leaving . I don't really think immigration will see that as anything but a tourist. They MIGHT ask questions (at which point I show my travels to Phuket, Hua Hin, Bangkok, Chiang Mai,...you get the idea), but I think that's the worst that might happen.

@David ******

I thought I needed to be in the States to apply. I'm pretty honest when it comes to such things even if it's done online. Yes, I've heard some regions are slow, which is my concern. My residence is on the East Coast, so I need to apply through D.C..