Have the sofa fixed first hand, so you don't give them any excuses.

Once nicely repaired, there is no need to talk about this sofa anymore.

Then that's simple, just don't pay for your last month of rent, insisting to have it covered by your previous deposit, and get only the difference back if there's one.

This way, you remind them it was a deposit and not just a gift, AND if they ever refuse to give it back, you don't loose the whole thing.

It's the simplest and smartest way to go, in my opinion.

Have the sofa fixed first hand, so you don't give them any excuses.

Once nicely repaired, there is no need to talk about this sofa anymore.

Then that's simple, just don't pay for your last month of rent, Insisting to have it covered by your previous deposit, and get only the difference back if there's one.

This way, you remind them it was a deposit and not just a gift, AND if they ever refuse to give it back, you don't loose the whole thing.

It's the simplest and smartest way to go, in my opinion.

@Marvin ********

You're not showing intelligence there.

It's a different country, so they have different customs, and you're supposed to show your intelligence by understanding that right away, without insisting on doing it like back home in a country that is not, especially when it doesn't cost you a pain.

It's called being an expat, adapting and integrating to your new country.

If you have the 800k, it's 15k through an agent including the visa, if you don't have the 800k, it's 25k through an agent including the visa.

Don't allow yourself to pay more than that in any circumstances.

Yeah, don't get married.

It never fails and you'll thank yourself for decades to come.

@Terry *******

No, they certainly won't.

That's the problem with a tonal language. If you don't use the right tone for a word (and there are five different (possible) tones for each word in Thai, whether the tone has an actual meaning or not), the word you're using (or think you're using, ) will have a total different meaning from the one you intended to, OR no meaning at all cause the specific tone you used for this word has no existing meaning.

I've had three consecutive years of Thai language classes in a proper school here in Phuket. (for the context of what I'm saying).

@Derek **********

Don't think too much. Don't waste your time and energy.

I see you meet all the requirements for a no brainer. You're in a perfect position.

Come to Thailand on a 30 days visa exemption (free, no visa) or with a 60 days visa (you can get from the local Thai Embassy in your country) and go RIGHT AWAY to a well established visa agency after arriving (just check facebook and the reviews they get, it will take you 15 min to pick yours, regardless of where you'll reside in Thailand).

Let the agency handle your first Non O visa based on retirement (that's the real name of it, but don't bother). They will do EVERYTHING for you, for a cost of course, and you'll learn everything needed for the whole procedure. They'll also set everything required for you (like a bank account).

So the next year, for the renewal of your Non O visa, you'll already have everything set up, everything in order. You will know all the requirrments and specifics for the visa and do will be able TO DO IT YOURSELF, for no additional cost than the visa itself (1.900 Thb) this time.

Using a visa agent is the best and easiest way to do it for a first timer.

In your position, the Non O visa (that you only get and apply for once HERE IN Thailand) is not only the cheapest, fastest and easiest option, but it's also the only logical one.

Go enjoy your new life.

Take care.

@Karin *****

Stop over thinking it, your situation is extremely simple.

- You left before your 1 year contract ended

It's not a crime and nothing external to the situation can happen to you because of it, but it has simple consequences. It's actually written in full letters in the contract, in this case, they just keep the entire deposit.

Just cut your loses on that, it's gone, there is no need to write a book on it, it's totally legal, it's their prerogative. End of this first chapter.

- You didn't pay your last rent (or two last months).

That's not nice of you, that's not a good thing to do as you're not respecting your part of the contract as a tenant, which indeed consists in paying your rent.

But, the amount of money you owe them is INFERIOR to the amount of money they already HOLD as a DEPOSIT.

So the situation is extremely clear there as well .

1. They could already legally keep your deposit because you left before the contract ended.

2. You don't owe them anything else because the DEPOSIT money COVERS the rent(s) due, which is exactly what a deposit is made for in the first place (compensating the landlord for any inconvenience, damages, faults, lacks, etc..., from or caused by the tenant).

3. You can't get what would be left from the deposit after covering the rent(s) due without going to court, which you know you won't do.

You can't have a cake and eat it too.

4. The landlord CAN'T claim or get any extra compensation (EVEN IN COURT) due to THE.simple FACT that the deposit he HOLDS already, covers ENTIRELY the money you OWNED him with the rent(s).

And the landlord will never go to court in this particular situation, cause he would be asked to give you back the balance between the deposit and the money you owed him in rent.

So, here again, there is no need to overthink it, chapter 2 closed as well.

You can leave the country, nothing is going to be in your record for that.

You didn't commit any crime. You don't owe anybody any money, IN THIS CASE.

End of your drama.

Bon voyage retour.

You won't have ANY problem at all.

You always followed the rules and had a proper visa while staying in the country.

Now coming on a visa exemption is still you following the rules, so no worries at all. And you can do it twice in a year of time.

I did it with no questions asked ever (in between and after 3 ED visas) and before applying for a Non-O visa that I got.

If you're still in your home country,, you can:

- Start with a METV visa (Multi Entry Tourist Visa). it has a few requirements, but not too harsh (read up on it) and it is initially valid for 6 months, but you can extend it to 9 months total. You need to leave the country every 60 or 90 days and you can come back the exact same day every time you do so (I won't elaborate too much on it, but as it"s a multi entry visa, everytime you enter the country you get a 60 days stamp, so if you leave and come back right before at the end of its validity, you'll get a last extra 60 days stamp, taking your total to 8 months - 6+2- that you can then extend of 30 more days at the immigration for1.900 Thb, bringing your total to 9 months.

- After that you can do an ED visa for Thai language (there are many more, depending on the school).

Each language you'll chose has 3 different levels, each of which gives you 6 months.

So if you learn Thai, for example, you can do it for 18 months only (3x6). The school takes care of the renewal procedure every 6 months with the department of education and the immigration.

Then, if you're not from an English speaking country, you can switch to English language and do 18 months again. (3x6 months).

Pick a reputable school from the jump, they'll do all the paperwork for you and will take care of the transitions from a language to the next one.

To apply for an ED visa, you need to leave the country and do a "visa run". The school will take care of it, you only have to pay for the visa run (check the price with your school), the visa and the courses (around 40k Thb a year combined, depending on the number of learning hours).

- Then you switch to English language, for an other 18 months.

That's what I did myself, so I've had 36 months of ED visa in total.

I won't try to do a 3rd language after that though, lol.

You can't apply back to back for 2 ED visas, you need anything else in between like a visa exemption for example. But your school will explain that to you.

Every new ED visa requires a new "visa run", so one every new "year of education".

- Then you can opt for a volunteer visa (15 months), if they still exist when you'll get to that point. Just read up on those.