@Jeff ******

And earn the undying hatred of the powerful who currently benefit from the system? It would be suicide.

@Jeff ******

Only my opinion, but not a chance. There is no benefit to any Thai persons or institutions from the foreigner activities currently experiencing heightened scrutiny.

But the agent system benefits many Thais. Sooo. . .

I feel you are getting a little out over your skis in multiple areas simultaneously.

What you need is a really good law firm that will give you honest advice and risk assessment. The advice you receive from Facebook lawyers is worth a bit less than what you paid for it.

Thai Immigration is currently doing a well-publicized crackdown on foreigners who push the limits of legality, and without extremely knowledgeable legal help, I fear you could find yourself in a world of hurt.

There are several good law firms - I recomend Integrity Legal in Bangkok.

Paul Lunney Very sorry for your loss. I experienced something similar decades ago in the USA, so I understand your pain.

I wish you success in court.

Paul Lunney There are ways around this risk with a proper contract, but those I know who have done it are extremely experienced and work with a good law firm. Even then though, not without risk.

Pastor's daughter? They're the very worst. Much better off with a bar girl.

@Catherine **********

Think of it as though, by choice, you are moving into a tiny house. It's going to be an adventure, not a loss!

@Catherine **********

You'd be surprised what a good Thai cook can whip up with a two burner cooktop.

And the minifridge is fine if you're shopping at a great fresh market daily as opposed to Costco or whatever.

One reason some urban Thais don't cook at home is because many of them work 12+ hours per day, with a handful of days off per month. Their just too exhausted to shop and cook.

I think your biggest error, if I can call it that, is to think that real food can't be prepared in a tiny kitchen. You will be shocked.

@Catherine **********

Thai cuisine doesn't feature many dishes that require an oven. "Ranges" so beloved by Iowegians are strictly for rich foreigners who insist on having what they are used to. For those who want to bake and can afford it, built-in ovens are very popular.

In America, even the poorest live in comparatively huge houses.

In Bangkok, with modern condos coming in at around 30 sq meters-ish, having a range which has little application in Thai cooking would mean forgoing a sofa or full-size fridge.

But money talks. Some condos would blow your mind with their awesome kitchens. But that's not for us poor folks.

Bangkok is Thailand's NYC. Check out what 10k baht/month buys you in NYC, and report back.

Don't know what condos you are looking at, but in my experience you have to dig hard to find one without a kitchen and a wash machine.

Pretty standard stuff. Now in a modern urban condo, space is small, so it's gonna be a tiny kitchen, unless you pay for premium space.

And dryers are uncommon because everybody dries laundry on their balcony.

Honestly, even lots of hotel rooms have kitchens and laundry.

I think you've received bad info. Home cooking is a very high priority for a LOT of Thais. That's why there are so many lovely fresh markets. But as in every other area of life, they make do with smaller and less of everything than we Americans deem "normal."

@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.