Thanks for your friendly words, maybe I'll get in touch. Hua Hin is not far from where I am living, but I guess the sea keeps the air cleaner.

@Ricky *******

Not my best choice of words, sorry. I just feel that the tendency towards xenophobia is on the rise again - powered by a disproportionately big number of articles and posts in all Thai media finding foreigners guilty for being rude, demeaning to Thais, working without permit, etc. Even in places I have been frequenting regularly in the last years I now often get 'mai mee, mai looh, mai dai' and the passive aggressive treatment. But then again, maybe I am just getting paranoid.

Thank you so kind for all your useful advice and the time you took. Even the usual nonsensical reactions seemed quite amusing. Seriously, you did share some helpful thoughts and I will narrow down my research to Southern Thailand (I have already lived in Krabi for a couple of years), the Philippines or Cambodia. My apologies for the metaphorical phrase " farang bashing" which didn't seem to go down too well with some of you. Maybe I am getting paranoid in my old age. Thanks again.

@Peter ********

I would be an expat in the UK too, but I admire your analysis based on ....... what?!

@Don ********

Thanks for these honest words. The thought about moving south certainly is reasonable.

One option would have been not making too much noise about it.

Sorry, I can't say for sure. From my experience many Immigration offices make their own rules (sometimes even to your advantage), so it will most probably be up to your Immigration officer. But maybe you can try to get an Asian insurance from your home country. Pacific Prime or another renowned company might do it.

@Claude ******

I had to show it at the Thai Embassy.

Maybe I was just lucky but 6 years ago at the Sadao border they just stamped me in without looking for anything but the original visa. Of course I had insurance as I think it is absolutely necessary for an expat in Thailand.

It depends on your whereabouts, but for me it was easier to get a 1year Non O A Visa from the Thai Embassy. Another advantage is that you can get two years out of this visa (just cross the border and return before the expiry date).