@Gabriel *******

of course, you can always negotiate what you want, but I've heard Thai professionals complaining that their government pension is 300 THB/mo. Not to drag this, but is there a foreigner drawing a Thai pension, gov or private?

@Paul ******

a few years ago, I worked for an English program manager who was nearing 70 but the problem was that the school had to ask special permission for the dept of labor to continue renewing his WP. In LOS, 60 is considered old. Many locals are not wanted after 40. Some then return to their villages or resort to do menial work.

@Gabriel *******

sorry, I meant to say 100k per month, not per year. Already corrected the post. Tnx!

@Michael *****

so planning and strategy come into play: work in high paying countries and save (or invest) money for retirement, then when old, spend the money where it returns the most. Many people do not seem to prepare. They want to spend the best money earning years sitting idle by a beach in paradise and not be ready for the time one is old and unemployable.

@Todd ********

I've known TEFL teachers who earned ~100k THB/month, with WP and Non-B visa to go! But they worked 60 hrs/week. Not my style. I did 40 hrs/week and lasted ~15 yrs at it.

If you can get a bachelor's (4 yr) degree in English, and preferably a Post Graduate Education Certificate, you can usually stay one year at a time in most Asian countries working as an English teacher. The work is easy (though it requires dedication and responsibility), pays more than what the locals earn, and usually can work up to age 60 in LOS. Many do this and have lived in Korea, PRC, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Oman, Kuwait, UAE, and Saudi. If USA citizen, don't even have to pay income taxes on the first $100k (+/-). Go to college, at 30, you have time. Good luck!

I always file my visa extension request 2-4 weeks before due date to leave room for unforeseen events: rain, traffic, holiday, lunch hour, change of requirements, extra photocopies, wrong size picture, no more numbers for the day... just imagine one. One week before the 90 day report is due. Lose nothing, gain peace of mind.

How about an interpreter, not a visa agent?

@Anne ******

you can ask the bank staff. Immigration also asked me for copies of the bank book for the required period, and they looked at the bank book too.

Bangkok Bank in Phuket prints a statement reflecting 2 mo balances, and a statement for today. with stamp and signature, all done at teller's window, in a few minutes, for 200 Baht.