@John *********

Yes. I'm two plane flights, or two days drive, away from the family up north. Very peaceful.

76, or about 24.5 C, is pretty cool, for an entire house. One bedroom, ok. I think you will find, that 26C works just fine and will be a big difference from outside. So, maybe work your way up over time. The cost is impacted by way too many factors (construction materials, shading, windows and glass doors numbers and sizes, sun exposure direction, heat island effects, etc. I would expect a monthly bill in the 10-20K range, depending on all the variables above. If you have a pool, more.

Easy.....start a business here, become the Director, hire a few staff, and you're good to go.

@Ivan ***********

Yes, that was my understanding and why I never bothered with a foreign deposit account.

@Jack ********

I make two large wire transfers a year. Once you cross the 15-20K USD threshold, Schwab's set $15 transfer fee, no matter the amount being transferred, is cheaper than Wise. Smaller transactions I would go with Wise vs ATM, whereas the savings might be small each time, they would add up over the years.

@Jack ********

Not necessarily true. I make two large wire transfers a year from my US bank to Bangkok Bank. Once you break the 15-20K USD transfer amount the set transfer fee of $15 (no matter how large the amount) makes it cheaper than using Wise. There was an analysis done on this a couple years ago in some financial article I read. If you want to transfer smaller amounts, Wise is a better option.

@Darin *********

No, and I suspect it may not be as easy but have never inquired. Probably the only time I would inquire is if I decided to depart Thailand permanently and move whatever my account balance was and shut it down (but I have no plans for doing that).

@Jeff ********

Agree. So much spyware out there from seemingly innocous websites, news stories, picture links, etc. Easy to get infected at some point without very good protection.

I do wire transfers routinely between Schwab bank account and Bangkok Bank. Fee is $15, more you send the better the savings. I usually move money twice a year (or if dollar doing particularly well).

@Joanne ********

Do a search on Thai health insurance for expats. Many companies will pop up, both Thai and foreign companies. Cost depends on your health, and coverage desired. I'm ok healthwise and have a mid-range policy, and with discounts (no claims in 3 years) pay about 2500USD/year. You can get many perscription medicines at pharmacies here, without a perscription as well,