@William ************

just apply for the married visa once you get here. I was never asked for a police background check. I’ve been here for a couple decades and a police background check has never comeup. Although I’ve never been arrested, I know it’s not a requirement if you apply in country.

You’re fine. All of us old time expats are well aware that there’s a farang living here who murdered his mother in a heinous way. As if there’s any other way? It was so brutal how he did it. He served his time, got released and moved to Thailand. The Thai authorities and immigration know all about the killing and all us expats know about it too. He even bottled some guy in bar here a few years back. He still gets his visa extension approved year after year. We avoid him like the plague.

@Brenda ********

I keep hearing that rumor and that’s what it is. It’s easy.

@Henrik ****

lots of people get bank accounts with tourist visas. It depends on the branch manager.

Just wait till you go for your extension. You can pay the 2000 baht fine then.

@Jacques ****

I’m talking about using my American bank debit card, Charles Schwab, to go to the Bangkok Bank ATM and pull money out.

@Jacques ****

get a Charles Schwab bank account before you leave America. There’s no ATM fees. I saved over $500 in ATM fees in the last 12 months.

Also get an international drivers license before you leave so you can skip the test here when you get a Thai DL.

@Glenn ****

wait till after the election. Services should get better right away.

@Tony ********

not yet

@Nigel *************

long-term residency visa