Definitely take the bus. Fly into Suvarnabhumi Airport if possible. There's a direct line to Pattaya.

Pros: Nice condos, nice beach, Direct bus to BKK.Short drive from Pattaya.

Cons: Not much to do nearby.

@Kevin ********

"Freedom to kill people"

I read advice from a guy once who said you put the deed and mortgage in the wife's name, then just make the payments. This highly discourages her from wrecking the marriage as she would be stuck with the house payments. 😉

Dave Ritchie I can confirm that they will check your insurance policy and will not stamp you in beyond the date on your insurance. For example, my O-A visa is good until January, but my insurance expired in December (I miscalculated), so they only stamped me until Dec.

@Tod ********

The entry requirements would be Vaccinated, Negative Covid Test, One night Quarantine and Insurance?

So looks like I wont be able to Extend my Visa. Plan B would be to exit and re-enter before the Visa Expiration date (Visa is multiple entry). Getting another year on my Stamp (I have insurance).

Would that work? If so, any suggestions of where I could go to exit and re-enter?

@Tod ********

Thanks. That's what I was afraid of. As for the Insurance. That's the same requirement that the Embassy required, so I have that covered. But Im not going to be able to meet the financial requirement as I dont have a Thai bank account.

You no longer need to transfer money to a Thai bank. Just show your US bank balance/income. They waved that rule a year ago. At least for the 1 year retirement visa. Not sure about the 5 year.

He should apply at the Thai Embassy DC online before he comes. If he is planning on getting the 1 or 5 year visa, he will need an FBI criminal background check. A letter from his bank showing his account balances (and/or proof of income), and medical insurance documents covering beyond the ending date of his intended stay. For example if he has a 1 year visa and on the day he arrives there are only 11 months left on his insurance plan, the immigration officer will only stamp him for 11 months. Same with exit and re-entry to reset the clock on his year.. They will only stamp as far as the insurance document date covers. So he wont get the full year unless there is still another year left on his insurance document. The insurance must have covid-19 coverage that meets a certain $$ amount of coverage (cant remember how much).