@Nico ************

No we just raised it with the immigration officer as an option but he advised to take the bank deposit route.

I have the Non O retirement visa based on 800,000 baht in a Thai bank. We were advised by the local immigration office, where I live, that this is the easiest visa. If you opt for the marriage visa the process is more complex. For example your neighbour is required to confirm to the immigration office that that you both reside together at the documented address and there are other requirements. Something you may want to consider.

I have a Thai wife and we hold an Australian marriage certificate.

Thanks heaps to everyone for your comments and info. I was already across the 6 year CGT issue. I’m more concerned now about my tax residency status. My situation is I do have the opportunity to reside full time in Thailand, provided I keep renewing my visa.

I won’t bore you with the details but I live here in the lap of luxury with minimal expenses. My Thai wife works in another country and while I can visit her there, I would prefer to stay at least 8 months of the year at her Thai house. Perhaps I should make more visits to family in Australia or spend more time where my wife works, which is a S hole. I just don’t know what the ATO’s definition of tax residency is, unless it’s the same as the Thai 180 days.

@Alma **************

Hi Alma I’m not sure how food without spices can be anything but bland. I did say there were exceptions, Bicol Express comes to mind. Please understand I was answering someone’s query for a suitable country to live in long term. I can tell you I had some great times in the PI, including a visit to Cebu. But there I met a German guy living in nice home with a jetty by the sea but his yard was surrounded by a high security fence topped with electrified wire and he told me he had a weapon he would fire twice. The second shot being the warning!

Btw like you, I was wary of MSG until this series of posts but I've since learned that the US FDA now states it is safe to consume, in moderation of course. Mabuhey!

Just spoke to my son in Australia. He is half Pinoy and by the way he agrees with my assessment of the PI - he visits there often with his mother. He corrected me on my few enjoyed dishes. While I like dinuguan (pig’s blood) and sinigang (fish head version) he reminded me my favourite is Bicol express.

@Vlad ******************

I’d rather eat soup number 5 than balut if my sex drive was flagging. Immature duck feathers etc is not to my liking😖😆

@John *****

I have to admit I found dinuguan to my liking but not much else and definitely not balut!😆

PI isn't somewhere I would recommend for a long term stay. People are nice, only trouble is there are too many and last I was there it's one big garbage dump. If you like Thai food you'll find Pinoy food pretty bland, with the odd exception. There are some nice places to visit but in general it's not on my holiday agenda any more.

@Andrew ********

I’m with Krungthai and have no issues either. Transfer from Australia takes about 3 seconds.