I just read that Hanoi produces more rejections, but it may be because it has the highest traffic in the region.

You have to accept the international fee, which Scwab refunds you. The next question will ask if you want to accept the conversion rate. Hit the NO button to proceed. The bank then gives you your money and the conversion rate is somewhere between the Thai’s aweful rate offered and the Visa rate reported by XE. I’ve found the difference to be consistently $11-12. On 20,000 baht or $600.00

No idea, but I like your humility.

Mitzi Dobbs oh dear! Ok, I will tell you what my friend told me about 13 years ago. Come and visit, travel around for several months to see if you like the climate and people and find a place you gel with. It’s not for everyone. Right now the heat is really insane and that will stick around for roughly another month or two. Then it starts raining most every day for the next 4-5 months. I used to live in Seattle where it rains for 4-6 months a year and after living in Bangkok for over a decade I can testify that BKK has just as many gray days, only without the cold or snow. But I wish you great fortune and just keep reminding yourself to remain patient , don’t demand anything you might expect back in the States, never raise your voice or get angry with the locals, and never cause someone to lose face, because the effect and reaction can be bad. And if you are expecting a country with no racism, you may be disappointed a bit. Great luck!

In your case I would use an agency. It will be hard to find a lease for just 5-6 months, but I actually know of a decent studio condo for 7500 baht that is currently available, right on the Yellow line. My old landlord will sign a lease for that little time.

You’ll need a re-entry permit stamped into y on passport. That’s good for one exit and re-entrance. You can also buy a multi entry stamp. If you don’t the second you step over the line at immigration on a boarder your retirement visa is null and void. I would highly recommend using an agency to secure your retirement visa.

Have you ever been to Thailand?

You’ll have to qualify your question as it is horribly ambiguous. Any tourist coming into the country needs a visa or visa waiver, and if one wants to live here you’ll need a visa. If you have never been to Thailand your question is about as insipid as asking why do people like to walk in the sunshine?

The government makes a lot of threats and moves glacially. They have been talking about this idiotic sales prevention program for a long time, so believe when you see it.

It’s not a dumb question, it’s one of Thailand’s many hurdles toward getting established and legal. As stated above you probably should have an agency help facilitate that for you. Make sure not to get Bangkok Bank, you will seriously regret it.