They are like casinos. They always win in the long run.

I had to get a medical to apply and obtain my motorbike driving licence a few years ago, so I went to a doctor in Cha-am and was told by the secretary that then it would cost Bt80, Well that was OK but I never saw the doctor and the doctor's secretary took my passport and wrote a totally Ok medical certificate in one minute and gave it to me, signed on behalf of a Doctor out back busy with patients (too busy to see me). Then to get my license I had to make a donation to the tester's gratitude fund to ensure the license was forthcoming. Without the donation, nothing would have happened...This Is Thailand. TIT. If going to the motor transport place it is best to take an English-speaking Thai girlfriend with you. "Where is a will there is a way"

@Kool ******

I hope you are correct but so many people have had their fingers burnt. I'm not sure as you say if all of this has been tested in a Thai court. Looks dicey to me.

I have the capital in my Australian superannuation account savings, but the way my business or company would be structured mostly would not work. My advice is, it seems in time with your Thai partner, he or she, whatever your relationship is, 51% of that partnership. Thai partners could likely at some time finish up with the lot. You can do wonders if you own 51% of a business and be a Thai in Thailand. In common terms, this is usually called "A SCAM". It puts you at their mercy and with government endorsement. I have come to Thailand for extended holidays often, there are thousands of farang with 49% equity bar ownership, subsidising bars across Thailand with profits on a promise, where at some time will walk away from that business after subsidising out of their savings for a time and run that business to finish up with nothing...I wish them luck...Tuff, isn't it. Thousand do it, I know many people will come through OK but many will do their doe $0.00.

Yes, I lost my passport in Bali. To get home it costs the same for a long-term passport which it is only good for one month and when you get home you have to pay the same to get a new passport. All told about $ dollars nowadays. But that is what it is...no second prize. sorry

Keep trying to get a bank a/c, put Bt800,000 in it or see a visa agent who will get you a corrupt retirement visa for about Bt30,000l you will not need a real bank a/c, nor the Bt800,000 needed, so shop around.

... Experience, but no longer get a retirement visa. I now just go for 2 or three months at a time.

Experience!!!

@Ralph ******

...Well perhaps you should enquire at your local Embassy in your country about the requirements, they are not all that hard. In short. If you are over 50y/o, come to Thailand on a tourist visa and open a bank account (you might have to shop around), put Bt800,000 in the account for at least 2 months. Go to Thai Immigration with Bt1,900 and apply for an OA retirement 12-month visa. It is the simplest way if you are over 50 y/o and have a regular pension, as per requirements. That is how the one million or so other retirees do it in Thailand. If you don't have the Bt800,000, you should see a Thai visa agent. They will likely make it all happen for about Bt30,000.

@Alice *******

...perhaps you did not tell the visa agent you wanted to work in Thailand. Tell him that and the answer will be almost impossible...you can't work in Thailand. If you do you are likely to get deported...think again.