Need to be careful saying going into bank avoiding fees. I did that 3 years ago. True thai bank didn't charge me anything however chase bank nailed me for 38USD FEE atm card "not from atm" was the text if i recall correctly

An obvious option you seemed to have overlooked is to search around for a bank that will... should not be difficult. I know chase does as I've used them for this. You can have more than one bank. You'll need to get their international routing number and not the normal one used locally Swift code is what it's called. Can be transferred from a brokerage account as well although never tried it.

You live in Germany and from Germany but don't have an address there? They're going to assume you are permanently moving to Thailand and will deny you.

If your good at stock investing possibly thai stock exchange. Depending on world events usd may eventually crash with the extended wild spending and move away from usd as the world currency and if that happens would come out ahead on that alone. Otherwise wouldn't invest there... anything else going to go pear shaped sooner or later

@Richard *****

yes Thailand in general and anything Visa is quite confusing. No, Visa Exempt and Visa on Arrival has been around decades or longer. Some mix-up the terminology, but is very different. A list of Visa on Arrival countries is listed here: Visa Exempt is not likely you'd be asked to show enough funds upon entry, Visa on Arrival, would be asked more often that not.

Coming from the US, it's actually called "Visa Exempt" i.e. no Visa is required for 30 days.

That is completely different than "Visa on Arrival", that is for some other countries that are not eligible for "Visa Exempt". There are desks for "Visa on Arrival" before Immigration, however don't go there!

You can do the Retirement Visa, however there is a fair amount of money and requirements, but is doable. You can also apply to a Thai language school, however please register with one with the intent to actually attend classes. From my discussions with one school, the attendance requirements is not that difficult, and easily manageable. You can apply to a school after you arrive in Thailand, and they will manage all of the paperwork for you. They have 6 and 12 month programs available. Also some costs involved, but a lot less that the retirement visa, and a good option for your fist long term stay. Then if you still want to stay after this, can convert to the retirement visa.

@Brett *********

Paulo Pattaya not understanding this. if you have retirement visa you have to have 800k deposited into a local bank. I did open an account with Bangkok Bank several months ago, just with Visa Exempt status, however all attempts to register online banking failed due to not having a Thai tax ID; even went to 2 banks and talked to them personally.

maybe better to just deal with the curent trip, and wait to see what the rules are before dealing with 2nd trip... requirements change all the time.

a few months ago 1 way to PP was $75USD

I was there only a few months ago. It was then recommended and suggested that ED was only being approved when already in Thailand. i.e. Language and Thai boxing. Visa exempt is only 30 days but can get 30 day extension while applying for ED visa, but you would want to start that right away and not wait until you have only a week left. A lot of scams but if you really plan to attend vs. just getting it for the purposes of staying I don't think you will have much of a problem.