@Andy *********

I’ve had some frustrating experiences while living here. For instance, a vegetable market where I’ve been buying produce for months suddenly wants 80 baht for just two tomatoes and two onions. The market sells vegetables for 5-10 baht a piece. In contrast, Makro sells a kilogram of each for the same price they want!

Additionally, I helped a friend who needed certified document copies in English for international use. The initial quote was 800 baht per document, but after seeing me there for observation, the price unexpectedly increased to 1500 baht per document, and I’m not even the customer! Fortunately, I referred my friend to a nurse I know who met the professional requirements, and they were satisfied with a 500-baht payment in beer.

One thing I’ve learned from living here is that there seems to be a lack of fairness and reciprocity in many daily interactions.

Make sure to compare local prices by checking Facebook Marketplace first. Verify that your utilities, such as water and power, are close to government standard rates. Ensure that your contract includes the landlord’s ID and contact details.

Before signing the contract, confirm that the landlord or agent has submitted a TM30 address notification. This is their responsibility, whether they submit it online or at the office. Do not commit to an apartment or condo until you have the TM30 receipt in your hand. Avoid any “I’ll do it later” promises, as you’ll need the TM30 receipt for immigration matters, bank accounts, and other official purposes.

Be aware that foreigners, especially newcomers, might face higher charges or discrimination. For example, a friend once paid 12,000 THB a month for a poor-quality room in Khon Kaen for months on end, with 3,000 THB for electricity. In that area, normal rent ranges from 3,000 to 6,000 THB per month, and electricity is about 700 THB. I've seen many cases where foreigners are overcharged; for instance, friends in Bangkok paid 30,000 THB per month when the normal for that area is 16,000 to 17,000 THB.

Do your research to avoid being overcharged.

พูดภาษาไทยไหม?

To be honest, I don’t mean to be rude, but if you haven’t been successful in Germany after 8 years, it’s unlikely that you’ll find success in Thailand. If you had something substantial to offer, you’d be inquiring about business or investment visa options.

I know many people who work here in good jobs with proper work authorization. Most of them come from countries with strong backgrounds and are usually on temporary non-immigrant visas at best. They aren’t likely going to get residence or citizenship anytime soon, nor are they desperate to.

@MD ******

If you are an Australian or New Zealander, you can get a b-a visa through the working holiday program due to a bilateral agreement, as our countries offer this opportunity to each other. In New Zealand, not many people applied for it which is funny; I heard I was one of only three for the quarter. Thailand has a limited selection of visas. Interestingly, the b-a was utilized here.

It can help generate work authorization, such as a work permit, and simplifies obtaining bank accounts, licenses, and other services with long validity, making sign-ups easier from what I found.

@Jamie *****

my favorite somtum is Tom Lao with 10 chili 🌶️ added.

@Jamie *****

My definition of a formal visa is a non-immigrant visa.

For example, a Business Approved (B-A) visa is a multiple entry visa with a one-year validity that grants me a one-year (364 days) period of permission to stay. At the end of the visa validity, I can generate a second year with just one border run to Vientiane. While there, I might have spend 300,000K at the lovely La Terrasse French café and enjoy three Lao beer towers.

In contrast, if I wanted to stay the same two years using 60-day visa exemption stamps, it would require a total of 8 border runs and 8 extensions at immigration, resulting in 16 interactions with immigration. How ridiculous is that! Talk about multiple points of failure. I will let you do the calculation of how stupid it would be to stay two years utilizing the previous 30 day visa exemptions program.

Do things properly, who would want a entry stamp of 60 days when you can have 364 days.

@Chris *****

For comparison. I can get an Australian Partnership application paid for plus medicals, criminal checks and biometrics and everything.

And it works out still cheaper.

So you’re saying I can stay in Thailand on a semi permanent basis utilizing 60 day exempts in replacement of more formal visas? Mate this is going to be fun 🤩

@Edgar ***********

someone posted a visa schedule somewhere on here earlier.

600AUD ~14,200 baht. In other words 3x cheaper hahahha

@Andi **********

Don't get me wrong, back in my country I had a decent job and the opportunity to get a mortgage for a modest home.

But, lemon isn’t worth the squeeze. I don’t want to get locked into New Zealand, you’re not going to grow there.