@Andy *********

Cardless withdrawals with Bangkok Bank are indeed free.

For the novice, I would avoid all of Pattaya and start off somewhere less crazy, like Phuket.😉🤭

Try getting a degree from Yale or Harvard. It might not help, but it couldn't hurt. That being said, find a college in your area that has TESOL, TEFL, or CELTA certificaton. With one of those and a BS or BA degree you will have many opportunities. Take your time. Plan wisely. Good luck.

@Sue *********

You are correct.

@Dave ********

Thanks for the info on the 30 year lease regarding having a clause in the lease where the lease can be passed on to a designated individual if one dies before the lease expires.

That was really helpful as I am about to sign a land lease. Cheers !

Open an account at a Bangkok Bank branch in the city you plan on living in.

Have that branch then arrange a direct transfer from SSA in the USA to Bangkok Bank in NYC. BBK in NYC then forwards the amount to your account here. Paperwork takes about 30 minutes. I receive my benefits the second Wednesday of each month. Occasionally over the 7 years of doing this, a Thai holiday may delay the payment a day or 2. No problems at all thus far.

Hardrock hotel. I have stayed there several times. Always a good experience.

Before you send your passport to the embassy in Bangkok, make photo copies of all relevant passport pages using your phone, xerox machine, or both. One never knows when one will be stopped and asked to produce one's passport, or by whom. Opt for the larger 50 page passport edition. Good luck.

@Robert ************

You are such a crass, spineless, pathetic neanderthal.

The only one who needs to crawl back under a rock is you. You have the emotional maturity of a 9 year old and that's being generous.