@Francesco ***********

it doesn't matter if you are visa-exempt or or have used a 60-days tourist visa first. Every "touristic entry" counts . . . . if you exceed 180 days within a 365-days period, some Immigration officers do not believe any more that you are a "real" tourist

@Francesco ***********

Myself I would stick to the multi entry tourist visa method. You can get fully legally almost 8 months of stay out of it. Pretty enough for a 6-months stay. And you can apply for the METV every other year, no problem. . . . . any consecutive visa-exempt entries if you accumulate them and maximize the stays with 30-days extensions, will within a 365-days period eventually get you to the point that your re-entry into Thailand will get rejected

@Peter *********

I know that. The main street of our small town is literally strewn with insurance agent offices

@Joseph ************

an injury because of a vehicle acident is covered. Of course pre-existing health conditions are not covered - I thought I have clearly mentioned it. Is a broken collarbone after a motorcycle accident a pre-existing condition? I surely hope it is not . . you have left the actual topic somewhere

@David ******

if you like your Western World Bubble, why did you come here in the first place? Awgh, we know why. Caught out! You came to Thailand only because of the cheap prostitutes.

@David ******

cut and paste? These are MY VERY OWN texts. Ready on my harddisc intended for cheap charlies like the one you are, unable to get out of your Western New World bubble

@James *********

GOOD for every Farang who has arrived in Thailand, BAD for those who are too stupid and stubborn to leave their Western World bubble

@David ******

You have never really arrived in Thailand. You are living in your FARANG CHARLIE bubble world. Poor puppy you

@David ******

I don't live on streetfood. I cook my own food from fresh produce. . . . . . My ideal shopping basked does not contain western luxury imported food or imported wines. I live on foods, fruits, meats and drinks the local markets or the Lotus' offer. They are only 30% -40% of the prices I pay at home. Lotus's in medium Isaan towns are packed with high quality foods, fruits, fish and seafood and everything else at LESS THAN HALF price from what I pay at home. If we dine out, we don't eat streetfood - we visit a good Thai restaurant, and still pay only 30% of what I would pay at home

@David ******

The PURCHASING POWER of your DOLLARS or EUROS in Thailand

The PURCHASING POWER of your currency is more than TWICE as high in Thailand as in Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand

Anyone who plans to eat expensive imported items such as wine, imported sausages, cheese, Australian beef steaks, New Zealand lamb fillets and Alaskan wild salmon has not really arrived in Thailand.

The prices for such luxury imported goods should not be used for a comparison.

A typical shopping basket in THAILAND compared to one in your country, in approximate percentages:

*** a TV set, a notebook, most electrical items: rather one to one, i.e. the same price

*** Cars and motorcycles made or assembled in Thailand: cheaper!

Only imported brands are almost twice as expensive in Thailand as in your country

*** clothing & shoes: cheaper, but it depends on the quality and brand

*** Rentals in Thailand are much lower: 20% to 25% of the price in your country

*** ELECTRICITY: mostly 30%-35% of the price per KwH in your country

*** WATER fees: something like 10% to 20%

*** FISH and other seafood: mostly 35% to 50%

*** PORK and CHICKEN: 35% to 40%

*** VEGETABLES: 35% to 40%

*** FRUITS: 40% local fruits. Imported fruits cost about the same than in your home country

*** one hour of labour: 10% (!!)

*** a scooter: 40% to 60%

***GASOLINE and DIESEL: depends. If you are from Europe, you find the Thai price real charming

*** Restaurant food: 40% to 50%

Beer and all alcoholic beverages in general do not belong in a typical shopping basket for comparison!

*** Non-alcoholic beverages: 40% to 50%

*** BAKED PRODUCTS: 40% to 50%

*** EGGS: 40%

This means: Anyone who can spend 1500 Euros or Dollars in Thailand, can enjoy a living standard as if he/she had 3000.- Dollars or Euros at home

Of course, always assuming that you have done your homework. Most initial investments need to be secured:

***health insurance

*** furnishing

*** means of transport

*** costs for obtaining the stay permit (some require a deposit in the bank)