@Adam *****

You can do bill pay and Promptpay from Revolut bank?

Kasikorn and Bangkok Bank are very popular. I’ve had good luck with Bangkok Bank over 3+ years.

Keep in mind that “easy” varies from branch to branch.

Personally, I think it’s worth using an agent, but others will disagree.

Make sure you get a debit card and have the branch set up and test the ap on your phone before you leave.

@Tohksic *****

I will be using your answer many times in the future. Brilliant!

@Michael ******

Well said.

@Ally ***********

This explanation while it has some merit, reminds me of the old saying, “don’t let your search for perfection prevent you from achieving the merely good.”

Even with alleged corruption issues, Thailand is a far better place to live than the alternatives.

Shoulda, coulda, woulda. Don’t try to boil the ocean. Thailand is here for us to take or leave as it is. More than many other places, foreigners meddling in politics here is more than frowned upon.

In Thailand when you say, “ha ha, I win,” for sure you not win.

@John **********

Living in the USA in abject poverty for years, possibly decades, out of fear of the consequences of a possible heart-attack or similar seems an extraordinarily poor life choice to me.

My high floor two-bedroom sea-view condo with rooftop pool here costs me LESS per month than my parking space back in the US.

I would rather live well here and risk dying a bit prematurely than live forever in abject poverty in a country I don’t even recognize any more - all as a slave to medicare.

Have you researched the situation for 65+ y/o retirees in the USA these days? It’s pretty dire.

And incidentally, health care in the USA is not exactly stellar.

It is possible to get insurance here. And there are hospitals above government ones but below Bumrungrad that give great and inexpensive service.

But of course, up to you.

@John **********

Many people in their 70s can’t afford housing and food in the US. Medicare is nice, but not sure I want to live in a van and poop in the bushes to access it.

@Ed *******

I suspect you are going to love it here. It is so much better than even the best youtubers portray. Endless possibilities, no matter your lifestyle and activity choices.

And you get back what you give it. Grumpies get grumpier. Happy get happier.

Enjoy.

@Ed *******

Annual visa renewals (technically, extensions) from Maneerat agency with one re-entry permit currently run 13,500baht. If you travel a lot you can get a multiple re-entry permit for 3000-ish more.

You have to report to immigration every 90 days. Most agents do it for you, some for free, some charge 100baht.