@Shaun **************

Out of curiosity, did they tell him how long he was denied, or just made him leave? Funny how some people get away with it for 'years' and some get caught after, if my count is correct, 3 bounces? And don't you just love the blowhards on here that don't even try to answer your question, just tell you what you SHOULD have done?? Or how THEY did it? 🤦🏻‍♂️ Sounds like you've got it figured out though, the agent/ owner of this site seems like the best solution. Too bad you had to scroll through all the drivel. Hopefully the new year resets it for him, if he even wants to come back now. Good luck with it.

@Don *****

and Here is where the problem starts, lol. People don't READ thoroughly before commenting. Although if you're going to comment at all, why say something, negative, derogatory and stupid...except when I call those people jackasses in the comments😁. I don't get it. I've been tempted to reply on one of the 'how much should I bring for a week...", but I've learned to just scroll on. Funny, but when I read the post, I thought uh oh, here they come! But he wasn't wrong. Unfortunately, the major perpetrators probably won't heed the advice.

@Dario *******

Hey Dario. For what it’s worth, I’m in Vietnam now. I talked to an agent on if it was best for me to try to get a Non O in Vietnam to make the paperwork easier for the retirement extension when I got back or do everything when I got back to Thailand. He told I couldn’t get a Non O in Vietnam, only my home country. I asked him about a somewhat shady idea I had that I thought would work, but he said I “wasn’t the first one to think of that” and told me why it wouldn’t work . I asked him if he knew any way around it and he said there wasn’t any way or HE would know about it. So, I guess I’ll do it the other way.🤷🏻‍♂️ It’s disappointing because I just left on Non O at 90 days. I don’t understand why I have to be in my home country to do it. It’s ok if I fly 9000 miles, do the application, get it approved then fly back 9000 miles, but I can’t hop to a neighboring country and do the same process. 🤦🏻‍♂️ Oh well, the agent told me that the little extra he would charge me for doing the application from an exemption is less than me paying the fee for the Non O, so it works out ok anyway. Let me know if you found out a work around. Thanks.

And not sure what city you’re in, but have you dam near had to swing on one of those little shitheads with the tooth brushes that just starts cleaning your shoes?? You can’t get rid of the f**kers! This was my first full day here and so far…meh.

When you say you can 'use' it, does than mean you have a plan that doesn't include it? If so, no way i would buy the add on international day pass. I'm here now and have the Verizon Unlimited Ultimate Plan and it works great. No problems at all, and can't beat that international is INCLUDED in the price! I also have a Thai SIM card in my other phone, but that's only because I'm going to be here long term. If you'll be here 2 months or less, you won't need a Thai SIM card, unless you just want one. If you use your Verizon plan for more than several months overseas, I've read where they 'could' suspend international service, but people on here have said they've used it for much longer with no issues. I didn't want to chance it because I'll be traveling to multiple countries and it's nice to have a phone when I first land before I can get a SIM card if I decide to. If you get a SIM card here, mine gives me unlimited data and calls in Thailand. To call back home without using my plan, I can also use WiFi calling and it won't show up on my plan usage. It's free, just make sure to set your phone to WiFi Calling in the settings before you leave the US. You can also use FB Messenger, IG, Skype, etc to call back home, they work great also. Most people here use WhatsApp and Line, even businesses, so you call or message them using your data. I have AIS and they are prob one of if not the largest and most reliable carriers here. I did some research and that's who I chose. The initial payment for the SIM card and first month was $500 baht, and after that I reup it for $200 baht per month ($6!). I've been pretty impressed with it. So as you can see, you have lots of options, so that's one LESS thing to worry about for your trip. 😁 I'll include a pic of some good Apps to download before you get here.

Enjoy!

@Brandon ***********

can you recommend any good properties?

@Dieter ******

did you do this? I have an agent in Pattaya that will open a bank account and do my retirement visa for a fraction of what I'd lose in interest (and I wouldn't have the headache of figuring out the paperwork and transferring the money). People on here say it's shady, but, of course, he said I would have nothing to worry about. I'm definitely tempted to go that route.

@Luit ****************

I have it in a high yield account back home at 5%. I don't have a Thai bank account yet, but people on here say it is very low. I'm tempted to let an agent do the retirement visa, he says I wouldn't need the $800k in the bank but people on here say that is shady. Is that how you did it or are you on a different Visa?

Wow. All these comments, and only TWO people even tried to answer the original question.🤦🏻‍♂️. It's OK to say "I don't know" (I don't😁). But some of the stupid irrelevant comments.🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️ The travel insurance might be worth checking into though. And that was a good point that insurance would only cover for "accidental" death, is that what you were referring to, or any scenario where you passed away? Hope everything is alright.

Hopefully you're not paying these legal firms. You can save some money and get the info from the eVisa site or very knowledgeable people on here. I'm on the same path as you though. It wouldn't hurt to come and check things out first like you mentioned. I came over for 2 months last year on a 60 day exemption. Got my Non O in July and I am coming up on my 90 days next week. I couldn't definitely decide on the Retirement Visa...that $24k just sitting in a bank equates to roughly $100/ mo in interest. Plus needing a rentral contract for your accommodations when I like to travel all over, so I'll just bounce to Vietnam and figure out the pros and cons doing a few exemptions a year while visiting surrounding countries, getting the Retirement Visa or even the DTV, which may also be an option for you. You didn't mention your age (over 50?) or if you have been here before, or any of the other nearby countries. You may like them enough to spend time in also. Lots of things to ponder before you make a decision. But it's a good problem to have. I'm looking forward to Vietnam. The more I read, watch vids and I got some helpful advice on here last week, the more I look forward to it. Then there's Malaysia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Japan, etc. Thailand will always be here. Good luck. It'll be fun either way.

@Brandon ***********

what would you estimate the occupancy rate to be in the condos and apartments in Bangkok? With the massive number of buildings, and even more under construction or renovation, would you think more than 50-60%? And most would have to be long term tourists, as most Thais wouldn't pay what they seem to go for, unless locals get much better pricing. I'll be close to $5500-$6000 USD total for hotels in my 3 months here, probably what I would have paid for comparable condo in the On Nut area for the year...😁🤷🏻‍♂️