@Rene *******

We’re not living in the tourist area. We’re more on the outskirts where few foreigners are. But the other places have their own appeal. You don’t have to live in a rice village, you know. They’re “tourist traps” because they’re beautiful and great places to visit. Not sure what your motive was to make your comment, but it feels like you’re trying to paint those places in a poor light and not sure why.

My wife and I started out renting a condo in Bangkok, and while we were living there we traveled around to other areas of the country to find where we might want to move next. I think that was a great strategy for us. We’re moving to Krabi next week. We had traveled to Chiang Mai, Phuket, Jomtien, Udon Thani, Hua Hin, and Koh Samui. We settled on Krabi for the limestone cliffs, air quality, proximity to islands, beaches and sea. Good luck in your move!

If you just want a policy to satisfy the OA requirements, go with the AXA easy care. But it’s not a great policy if you actually want to use it in Thailand. I originally got the AXA easy care policy just to get my OA, but when I got to Thailand I bought a much better comprehensive policy through Pacific Cross. Sure it was more money, but having that peace of mind when emergencies come is worth it.

I just made a will for my assets to be given to my Thai wife if I pass away. I told her to have me cremated here in Thailand.

I got my bank statements 6 days before I went for my OA extension and had no problem in Bangkok. I did make a small deposit and then update my bank book on the morning of my appointment.

I’ll add that I have Pacific Cross as well. The cost will depend on your age, your health, and any preexisting conditions.

One Stop Visa, Pattaya

I had to draw a map of where my condo is in Bangkok, but that was it for my OA extension.

I did a wire transfer from my U.S. bank using my Thai bank’s SWIFT code. Worked great.

The form is a joke to doctors. Just find any doctor, I bet they sign it for you.