@Brian *******

1. Many prefer to invest their funds for a higher rate of return elsewhere.

2. Many have a large guaranteed monthly stipend, pension, etc.

3. In the unfortunate case where someone DOES have no savings and has minimal income, where are they better off - in a highest cost-of-living western country where their available resources can't even cover the rental of a small room, or in a place like Thailand where the cost of living is orders of magnitude lower?

I suppose your answer would be that such people should just kill themselves now to avoid at some unknown point in the future, any possibility to being an inconvenience to luckier self-righteous judgemental compassionless people.

Remember, pride cometh before a fall. And but for the grace of god or the kindness of the universe, a split second event separates the richest, most secure of us from utter poverty and deprivation.

@Brian *******

Utter rubbish.

This explains it at a high level.

Go to Bangkok and get your fill of shopping, and then go to an island with nice beaches.

Trying to do everything in one place is just not realistic.

@Rene *******

If the dentists matched western prices, why would people travel here to get it done?

I can assure you that EVERY dentist in Thailand is already aware of how their pricing compares to the west, as well as other medical tourism destinations such as Dubai.

They're not haunting FB groups to learn how to set their pricing.

@Phil *******

Of course. This problem isn't because of law - it's because bank doesn't want to go through the expense of opening accounts for people who will put 2000baht/month through their account.

Bank policy, not law. And banks are free to change policy as they wish.

@Pete *********

A reply in the grand tradition of the, "so, are you still beating your wife?" question.

@ALi ****

Maybe, maybe not.

Perhaps a misunderstanding?

Some applicants for non-O retirement visas already have an appropriate Thai bank account, so there would be no need to open an additional one, and thus the agent could help get the visa without charging the additional fee for the bank account.

The visa and the bank account are two separate items, with separate fees.

The path to happiness with a Thai condo rental is to not sweat the small stuff.

Any minor repairs, I just take care of myself. Over the last few years, I have spent a few thousand baht on replacement/repairs, but managed to maintain a positive relationship with agents, owners, and juristic offices. And I have always gotten my deposit back.