Ready made food is tasty, good eatin', and not expensive (unless at the upscale restaurants). I buy food to go daily and get rice, vegetables, and either chicken, fish, pork, etc, all for 60-70 THB (~$2), and if I add a beer, it's now $3. Not a Peterbuilt truck driver sized meal, but good enough. This is more efficient than cooking at home. You cannot buy "just enough" ingredients for a meal, so one ends up buying excess ingredients, cooking (then eating) more than needed. Since I went thru the trouble of living overseas, am not going to spend that time cooking. Laundry is the same... wouldn't I be doing something else other than washing clothes? On the other hand, lots of locals have washing machines, but not driers. Customs do differ wildly. There isn't such a thing as a common Thai house with a fridge or freezer with frozen pizza, steak or TV dinner. They do not bake turkeys, hams, or cookies. Forget about stew or minestrone soup. These are mostly cold countries activities, and the temp is too hot to be baking. Living routines are invariably fitted to the locale.

Thanks for posting. Good news!

Give'm a break... it's culture shock and furtunately it wears out.

@Paul *******

years ago I missed the only domestic flight out of a small airport in rural India, where they close it after dark (no lights on the grassy runway) luckily I had enough cash to get on another flight heading in the opposite direction. These places do not have ATM, or take AMEX. From then on, I always travel with several hundred. Small change for a traveler out of his/her country. Oh, and yes, don't be funny, attract attention, and dress the part. Been doing that since the 80s, in my traveling job. Never been asked for return tickets, proof of funds, or been inspected by customs (though some objected at my carrying a toolbox)

See point 2 of bottom notice...

If he has a 4 yr college degree in any subject and speaks English, he can work as a teacher. I've met lots of foreigners living here with Non-B renewable visa, work permit, salary, and daily occupation. Some have done it for years. The downside is that he has to work 9-5 M-F. Good luck!

Last time, I brought several maps, some hand made, others from Google, or tourist maps. Made clear the house location with address, all highlighted and in clear and block print. Let them choose. Suspect all they want is graphical instructions to go from the IO to one's house. Least amount of trouble/confusion for them. They just cannot tell you that upfront.

@Timmy *****

no, I do not recall, but am under the impression they moved the old slip reminder and notification to the new passport. They look the same.

@Timmy *****

never done online. I live 10 min from the IO. I do not recall their changing dates, kept the same papers.

Usually passport photos require a clear (white?) background and are 2x2 in, while the official Thai pics require a blue background and are 4x6 cm. But better check with the concerned agencies because things do change from time to time.