@Dennis ********

I think that's his point. He is saying he can't get an IDP.

@Dennis ********

do you mean International driving permit?

@John *********

thank you John.

@Tony *******

thank you Tony.

Do you have a motorbike licence in your home country?

Seems very strange that immigration said you should have a visa given you are from USA and presumably don't have a history of entering Thailand without a visa, but this is Thailand as they say.

You do not state which IO you will use, but your wife should have no problem applying for the non O.

Good luck.

@Tony *******

apologies for joining this conversation, but your response is very clear, concise and well informed, so I wanted to ask a silly question as I am unclear.

I receive a work pension from the UK and I pay tax on it, so I believe the DTA applies.

Do I need to do anything in Thailand to show that I already paid tax?

Apologies if it's a silly question.

You can get a 60 day tourist visa before you come, that can be extended by 30 days in Thailand and then open your bank account and transfer the 800,000 Baht.

This is the most difficult part of the visa process, so once you have this in place you will be ready to apply for the retirement visa when you hit 50.

@Larry *********

you are welcome sir.

I am not a real estate agent, sorry if I confused you. I have rented a few times here that's my reason for explaining.

I presume you mean 25 to 35,000 Baht per month, and that should be enough to get what you require.

You have got some very specific requirements, things like beach view and in particular bath/soaking tub should reduce the number of responses and help you choose.

I would make a post in a Pattaya condo rental Facebook page. I take your point about not stating a budget, but that will limit your responses to the lower end of the market, so maybe state an approximate budget and say it is negotiable. Good luck, I am sure you will find a nice place.

I like Bangkok, but could not live there because of the traffic and pollution. It is just as bad in the suburbs, so I prefer to go for a few days now and again.

I think the other major cities would get boring very quickly, other than Chiang Mai (which has horrendous pollution levels several months a year). You could look at Bangsaen or Si Racha in Chonburi as they are just over an hour from Bkk. Bangsaen has quite a nice beach area, with restaurants, bars, shopping mall and hospitals etc. The type of housing you want is in abundance and you can go further down the coast to Pattaya for boat trips etc.