If you like your current policy, check if you can just exlude the US to save a bundle. Thai insurance has lots of exclusions (especiallyif you have any preexistingconditions), but also has its pros too. As far as US travel insurance, it's the way to go, the IMG Patriot plans will cover Americans for travel in the US.

You don't need proof of address to sell. Only the buyer needs proof of address to put name in book. TM30 isn't sufficient for that normally, requires a resident certificate.

Open an actual thai bank account, and transfer money into it.

The ATM fee has nothing to do with your visa type.

With an Ed visa, you should be able to reasonable easy open account. Your school can write you a letter and get a resident certificate from immigration and walk into a bank... you shouldn't have too much trouble.

@Darrel ********

there is no law. Each bank sets its own policy and each branch of the bank makes up there own...there is no uniform rule in thai anything...

@Aikins ******

the only way you can get a visa or extension, is by going to immigration and smiling for the camera. There are limited exceptions to this like being hospitalized (required documentation).

Do the agents you are talking about get visa/extension without the person going to immigration? That should probably answer your question.... most agents and most things they do are actually fraudulent, doesn't means it well enforced or that you will get in trouble...but it is accurate.

Agents, lawyers, a lot of fraudulent services are offered here. Opening a business to buy land, open a business with nominees, "employees" as a service. Get a retirement visa without 800k baht.. how many decades were the volunteer give out under the table like candy?

@Aikins ******

I think you mean, you know two agents who can no longer fraudulently open bank accounts. Why are getting bank policy from an unrelated 3rd party? There has been no law changes, each banks set their own policy which is often varies branch to branch and day to day....it laughable to think they all sudden became unified 😂😂

Someone has posted "foreigner can't open bank account now" every week for last 10 years.

Agents work contrary to the law, who cares what they say. Immigration isn't putting a hold non-o application.

Banks set their own policy. There is no law that say they can't. Each branch seems to make up your own policy, muchless each bank...and no, not every branch at every bank in the country all the sudden changed and became unified in anything thr last week.

Retirees, elites, ltr holders all have bank accounts....even tourist. Anyone that told you needed a work permit just lied to you. Opening an account is a little hard. Search this group, great past advice on how best to do this on 1000s of posts just like yours.

@Pygo *******

Thailands rules really aren't different. Most countries would require a work permit, even for volunteer position.

@Pygo *******

I looked one up online, it looked like couch surfing of volunteer type thing. Saw volunteer in exchange for room or board at farms. It's definitely not legal. I never heard anything about these program being raided by authorities, but it's a real risk that could get you deported and blacklisted.