@John ********

It's all about the ap. It has all the options; you just have to understand them and make the right combination of choices.

I pick a plan that gives me more than enough voice calls, and then separately manage my data speed and amount on an ad hoc basis.

It's actually easy once you dig into the ap and grasp just how flexible it is.

I have set up data in my ap so I buy six months of unlimited data at very high speed. Then I just top up occasionally to keep a positive balance.

It's all about the ap on your phone. Not so much the plan.

I use relatively vast amounts of data on a monthly basis compared to most; never had any issues and choosing unlimited data lets you not worry about it.

@Yo***

I respectfully disagree, based on prior knowledge and experience.

Thailand has achieved an exquisite, unparalleled level of flip-flopping. I was here through covid.

But to each his own.

@James *************

I pay a lot of attention to the speed and trajectory of change. Sure, Phnom Penh has some dumpy areas, and a dumpy past. But the pace of change is rapid, and that's fun to be around. As opposed to some places that are stagnant or declining.

Kampot is great, but a little too touristy for me. Ditto Siem Reap. And I do appreciate the amenities and infrastructure of a capital city on the way up.

For me, I appreciate frontier experience during economic boom.

Edit: I just spent a week exploring PP. Heading back tomorrow. Am very familiar with Siam Reap and Battambang. Kampot is high on my must-see list once I am settled in with retirement visa, condo and bank.

@Jay ****

After 5.5 very happy years in Thailand, I'm moving to Phnom Penh. A LOT of things so much easier there.

But to each his own!

It's worth considering that this endless official tinkering and flip-flopping over visa and banking policy is the universe suggesting that there may be better places to begin your SE Asia retirement saga.

Thailand seems to have lost the plot. Hopefully only temporarily. But who knows?

Give it a think.

@Jack *******

Because before, nobody cared. Now, for a variety of convoluted and opaque reasons, some Really Important People care.

There's a whole lot of poking around going on right now. And NONE of it by people who give a cr*p about customer experience or satisfaction. This appears to be purely political.

@Daniel ******

Ah - now you get it.

Yes, it possible for a foreigner to legally work in Thailand.

Just as it is possible for you to become the star player on Pakistan's football team.

In the best of times, Thailand is a difficult place for foreigners to find employment in Thailand.

And these are not the best of times.

@Daniel ********************

Anecdotally, there seems to be a consensus that older accounts (4+ years?) are less likely to be frozen.

That's been the case for me - 5 year old account, opened with the assistance of an agent. Still open and active, no issues.

Do you have the Bangkok Bank ap on your phone? You could try opening it to look for any messages about your account status. You could also try to make a small purchase, like topping up your Thai mobile phone.

However, I would only do this with a VPN active, with location set to Thailand.

@Graham *****

That's not what I have heard from a LOT of people who tried, but by all means, he should give it a shot.

I know Kasikorn in Central Festival Pattaya has a printed sheet listing the specific requirements and documents needed, and the staff spoke good English and was very helpful.

Certainly a better place to seek info on this topic than here.

@Graham *****

He says he has a 90-day non-O. No mention of a one-year extension of stay.

Apparently many banks will not open accounts for 90 day visa holders. Many, many reports of that. But I don't have personal experience attempting opening a bank account with only a 90-day visa without an extension of stay.

But I agree that if he has a one-year extension of stay, opening an account himself should be easy. I did it myself at Kasikorn a couple months ago. Painless, free, and quick.

😉