If you need to ask a question like this to a facebook group, rather than working through the Thai website yourself, it might be best if you simply pay an agent to do it for you. Just google “Thailand retirement Visa agent”, there, are plenty of them out there. Siam Legal (and probably others) have clear websites with explanatory videos, fees listed, requirements, etc.

I took 3 months at Duke, it was worthwhile. Group classes, ~8-10 students. They did a little language quiz first to slot me into the right starting class. Their classes do fill up, so you need to check availability.

zero risk if you don’t overstay. unknown risk if you overstay, as you are then gambling on how thailand chooses to treat overstays in the future.

I’m not that much of a masochist.

Depends on your citizenship.

@David *********

I use Chase also. Just sent a transfer yesterday from a Chase checking account to Kasikorn bank. Initiated @ 7:07 am, complete @ 7:08 am. In reality it took 10-15 seconds. One time I sent from a savings account and I think it might’ve taken longer. Lots of variables (banks, account types, authorization methods, transfer reasons, etc.). You need someone at Wise to look under the hood and see what’s going on.

@David *********

one of the banks in your transfers may not support the fastest transfer methods. Or you may need to do something to enable the faster transfers. I would contact wise support and ask what you can do to speed up transfers.

@David *********

the speed of a wise transfer can vary with the reason you select. when I choose “personal expenses”, transfers from the US to Kasikorn Bank are almost always completed in less than 30 seconds.

I have an iphone with US e-sim (AT&T) and a Thai physical sim card (True). Both work fine in Thailand. The Thai sim does not work in the US (I don’t need it to,so I’m not sure if it can be enabled for use in the US or not).

you can also check out 12go.asia for travel options to Bangkok. And don't listen to all the jaded expats here.