@David *****

The 65k suits me. It's no problem for me to spend a solid five minutes each month transferring money to live on, which has the double effect of also satisfying extension requirements. I have no desire to tie up 800,000 for the rest of my life, costing me 88,000 baht tax free each year. That's how I roll. I'm retired, and I LIVE my retirement, not EXIST! So 65k per month fits my lifestyle just fine. Others are different and it's their choice. Even those with 800k stagnating in a Thai bank account need to bring in money to live on, so I can't quite see your logic

@Dave ******

Australian superannuation. Tax free

Problem is SWIFT is so expensive

@David *****

Not at all, in fact far from it. The 65k you can spend. No requirement to keep 800k balance

@Nick ***********

To me the 65k monthly transfer is a no-brainer. I can earn 11% pa tax free on the 800k lump sum, which is 88,000 baht equivalent per year, and it's not tied up for the rest of my life. I need regular income to live on. I pay rent, utilities, restaurants, entertainment, trips etc which can easily reach 65k per month, so what wouldn't I transfer my "money to live on" each month and use that transfer to meet the criteria for a retirement visa? You prefer to lock up 800k earning probably 1% pa, which is your choice. Perhaps I'm just a little more financially astute than what you are?

@Bill ********

I do it manually once a month. Takes less than five minutes. It pays me almost 7500 baht per month to do it. It's money for old rope. I do it whilst having a coffee in the morning. If you have more fun and interesting things to do in this five minutes that's good for you! 😂

@Bill ********

I've been doing monthly transfers for some years now. Never had a "fail" (whatever that is). But it's to each their own. If you don't have the intelligence to carry out a transfer once a month, I guess your way works best for you! I don't want to lose the 88,000 baht tax free bonus each year! 👍😆

@Nongnuch *******

And you're telling me how CHEAP your shopping basket is! Words fail me. Have a great day!

@Nongnuch *******

And I'm loving it. I've no desire to "integrate" into Thai culture! My friends are expats, I drink in western style pubs and listen to western rock music. I refuse to sit on the floor to eat, I refuse to put ice in my imported beer, I refuse to put my hand in the same sticky rice container that everybody else is using. I refuse point blank to ever visit that shithole called Isaan and I don't wear elephant pants or Chang t-shirts. It's you who's living in a cheap Thai bubble world, but you've found your Nirvana. Good for you. You won't ever see me there!

@Nongnuch *******

Cut and paste posts bore me. I didn't even bother reading your long-winded recital. You're happy counting how much you save each day, I'm happy spending the fruits of my labours. To each their own! I arrived in Thailand almost twenty years ago, and it didn't take me long to work out the lifestyle I wanted!