@John ******

Yes and a new one is quite reasonable. My Thai lady friend just bought a new one online for her daughter in university. The price included delivery to Nakon Pathon from BKK.

You can get a visa on arrival at Friendship Bridge #1@Nong Khai, or you can get a Lao evisa online. Turn arounds have been no problem for me. My last 2 carrying no luggage because I had a room in Nong Khai. Next week I go again, but will spend a day or 2 in Vientiane.

What you're describing is called a loan! If you have assets offshore an ACH or ABA transfers from your home country are cheaper than a bank wire transfer. Set up a foreign exchange account with a company like Wise and you'll have several options.

@Gabriel *******

I had my sailboat in Mexico for 4 years. I've seen the issue from both directions. The difference now is there are more people from countries other than the America's. When there's an actual statute at our most famous port of entry that has a plaque saying: "Give me your poor, destitute, weak" ... and they actually come one should be ready to deal with them. The ability to do so has been stonewalled because the status quo benefits agribusiness, and the restaurant hotel industries.

@Gabriel *******

the 7 day average for entry is 9,600 according to DHS. Don't believe everything the media tells you.

@Victor *********

you're wrong. I lived on the border in Arizona and been to Mexico hundreds of times. How about you? Ever been to MX?

@John *******

can you really? I lived for 7 years on the border in Arizona. I'll bet you $500 usd dollars you'd never make it.

You need to be able to speak and understand basic Thai.

@Meghasundar ********

I lived in Chiang Mai and the Old City is full of temples to visit. There's Sunday Walking Street, and a Saturday street market in the silver district on Wua Lai Road near Chiang Mai Gate. The Silver Temple on Wua Lai Road us worth seeing, as is the silver museum a short ways away Doi Suthep on the mountain has a nice view, air pollution permitting. This time of year is the burning season so air quality may be bad.