@Sean *******

Just be aware that the definition of insurance that "covers me abroad" may not be what you think.

All hospitals in Thailand maintain a list of insurance companies approved to make direct payments to the hospital.

If your insurance company is on the list, happy days.

But if not, you will be required to pay your bill yourself, usually in full. Then you wait, and hope that your company reimburses you.

@Jorge ***

Yeah, I tend to agree. I spent my working life traveling worldwide, and while I have certainly seen some unfair discrimination passing immigration in many different countries, more often than not the traveler does something to trigger the officers.

It's amazing how few problems I experienced personally over the years.

@Jorge ***

Everybody thinks they're a comedian.

Some truth to it though.

@Damien *******

Far from pathetic, just different.

There are too many variables to give an average number.

A really modern well-insulated house with carefully chosen window locations and modern well maintained AC units could run you around 5K baht/month.

An older uninsulated home with cheap, poorly placed windows and aging, poorly maintained AC's could run you 15K baht/month or even more.

Aside from what's required by the specific letter of the law, joint bank accounts just aren't a thing here like some places in the west.

IMHO, that's a very good thing.

@Bryan *******

You are looking for something that defies reality.

Repeat after me. "Thailand Immigration Officers have broad discretion to make independent decisions which are rarely appealable."

You may get away with something for a while, but better to find a way to stay well within the rules. Expecting to get lucky every time will catch up with you.

No, it is simply a USA company and business model I am familiar with. But a quick google search confirms there are similar massive factories in SE Asia producing ice cream not only for their own brands, but smaller boutique brands as well.

For example, one company proclaims, "We create delicious ice cream. In order to produce quality ice cream, we use local fresh fruit as well as imported raw materials. Our unique Thai flavours include Durian, Mango, Ruammitr (mixed fruit) Coconut Cream, Milk Tea with Pearl and Pandan with Natade to name a few. We manufacture under our own house brand ‘Cremo’ and ‘Iberri’ for domestic and international markets, wholesale and retail. Chomthana also produces OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) or Private Label Ice Cream. Chomthana has 4 main ice cream production lines – extrusion, stick, cone and bulk ice cream. We also produce our own ice cream cones for wholesale and retail purchase."

In fact there are some huge companies that make trainloads of ice cream for dozens of companies.

Check out Blue Bunny in Lemars, Iowa USA.

Yup. And also good idea to send slip when you pay electric and water, as well as internet if that was arranged by landlord. Just send them on Line.