@Ruth ******

it is very hit and miss. It's a case of trying as many banks as you can until you find one, but if not I read it costs about 3,000 baht with an agent so if you are struggling maybe it is worth that amount.

@Brooke **********

and keep paying the agent year after year, instead of swapping to the monthly income method in the second year🤔

@Sam *******

I used wise to transfer my 800k, no problem if you use the correct reason (long term stay in Thailand).

I think it's different when buying property.

Someone else asked a similar question and somebody suggested that Malaysia Airlines offer a flexible ticket that is fully refundable.

I would have a look to see if available, they said they have used it and lost a couple of dollars on the exchange rate refund, but otherwise sounds good for you.

@Bennett *******

I opened a second account for this reason. One account with the money deposited for immigration and another for daily use with many transactions.

@Neil *******

yes that's the problem, the international driving permit is valid for ayear, but in Thailand you must have a Thai driving licence after 3 months or insurance is invalid.

The driving licence is easy to obtain with the international permit.

There's no need to transfer banks.

I moved area and thought I needed to, but you don't and I have successfully extended for another year in my new area, using a different bank branch.

The bank provided everything I needed for the extension on the day.

As for the fees, if you use the cardless withdrawal method, no matter where you are in Thailand it is free ( I withdrew money today and it's really easy).

Glad you are enjoying it.

I have lived here for nearly 2 years and my experience reflects yours. I even had good experiences in Bkk, where a guy just wanted to speak english with me because he had previously lived in England, so he walked around showing me a temple then got me a tuktuk telling me and the driver how much he should charge (something like 40 baht).

Another time I asked an old lady for directions and she physically walked me there (maybe 200 metres) and would not take anything from me to say thanks.

In Ubon a lady at a garage replaced my punctured car tyre and only wanted 100 Baht, she looked astonished when I gave her 200, but it was worth every baht to get mobile so quickly.

I can't think of any bad experiences.

The first thing you need to do is open a Thai bank account and deposit 800,000 Baht. Have you done this already?

If so, yes you must apply for the non o retirement visa first and then later apply for the 1 year extension as per the graphic Lloyd provided.

I bought the cheapest flight I could to a neighbouring country, which cost about £20. I have read some people say some airlines never check and others scrutinise in great detail, so I would be cautious. The Malaysia flexi plus looks like a great suggestion.

I also read that bus ticket is not acceptable because it is not leaving the kingdom (only to the border).

Good luck.