@Brodi *****

No, not at all, in the USA.

@Brodi *****

Online.

Easiest and cost free. Put your cell phone on Wifi calling. Connect to a reliable Wifi network. Can send and receive calls as if you are in the USA. Been doing this for years from several different countries.

I always get a yearly policy with Allianz. Not really expensive. Came in handy during COVID, to show I had insurance to enter Thailand.

Book your flights to BKK from Chicago or Houston, usually $800 - $1000 round trip, due Eva Air and other airlines matching. Book your flight to Chicago or Houston separately, for me from ATL usually around $200 or less RT. Newark used to be cheap also.

If you are over 50 you can get a retirement visa. Not permanent, but the best offered. Next best is a Destination Thailand Visa, good for 180 days stay, multi-entry, last for 5 years.

I have a 2 BR, 84 sq meters condo, with 3 ACs we run all the time. Just paid the quarterly electric and water bill of 7000 THB. Could be cheaper if we didn't run ACs, as I see many of my neighbors never run there's.

I was told they can open account for an existing customer, and if I buy the insurance I was an existing customer. 😎 The second option was to obtain a certificate of residence from immigration. I went with option 2. That was 3 years ago. I hear it's even harder now. I was able to open it with CR, I was at Bangkok Bank on 2d Rd in Pattaya.

@Richard *********

Well that's the thing about Thailand, many rules are arbitrarily and inconsistently applied. They will ignore a rule, like bar closing times, for months on end. And then one day, the police, the army, the navy and the mayor and staff; with the media in tow, are out in full force, shutting down bars and arresting people. The next night or so, things are back to normal.