@Brad ******

IMO it's the other way round. Riding a motorcycle is like suicide here as they have the same status on the road as a rat! I have seen multiple accidents, always involving motorcycles and it is always the motorcyclist that has the worst experience (ambulance ride). I have driven 50,000km in my car in Thailand over the past 2 and years and have full insurance cover if I ever need it. Thailand roads are easy to drive, even Bangkok is not that bad. I live in Hua Hin and if I want a change of scenery it's easy to drive to Phuket or Krabi for example.

@Jim *******

can I ask please. Do you need to exit Thailand to transfer to the 65k per month method?

I didn't say the charges were high. It's still not a reason for him to get an account.

@Dawn *******

it seems overwhelming, but it is easy really, just get a folder and put all of your documents in it with a few photocopies and go to immigration. It's actually very simple.

@Ian *********

depends on your bank, in the case of Starling you get their rate on that day, its usually a fraction below the exchange rate (maybe 44.6 instead of 45 Baht, something like that). I would not use a bank card like Barclays or HSBC for this purpose or you would get a terrible exchange rate.

@David ******

I think a few will do it, definitely Krungsri.

@Baz ********

I just go into the Krungsri bank with my Starling debit card and ask to withdraw xx amount of baht.

You get Starling's exchange rate of the day.

It's the same as using the ATM, but without the fee and you can withdraw more cash too.

I don't think there are any pros to opening an account at this stage and you would pay annual fees.

Someone will correct me if there are some pros.

If you withdraw cash inside the bank with your bank card and passport you do not pay any ATM fees.

I would recommend getting another account/card in case you have any difficulties. Starling and Monza offer free overseas use. I use Starling and it's excellent.

@Rithy ******

this is the Wise app. It gives you the option to compare rates. It does not always show Wise as the best option. For example today it would be better for me to use Western Union to transfer British Pounds.