First check out the going rental rates in the area you want to stay in, check the electric rate, (always take a photo of the meter the day you move in) water rates, ask the landlord if he will register your TM30, you will need for immigration purposes, I personally wouldn't rent anywhere with a big deposit, some have had difficulties when it comes to getting it back upon moving out, take photos of anything in the accommodation if it's damaged and point it out to the landlord.

@Samuel *******

the farang price thing really annoys me, some Thais just think if you can afford to pay more well you should do, they don't even think they are ripping you off, by increasing the price by two or three times the going rate, and I'm also talking other things not just rent 🤷😂

Angela Mcalister you can buy a condo in your own name, if that is of any interest to you in the future.

@John *********

of course they have knowledge if you're in the country on a full time visa, everything is there if they want to check, but do you think the Thai authorities check and assess every expats personal circumstances?? There would need to be a personal investigation, it's been discussed in these groups about how it could be made a visa requirement, or your thai bank could insist on wanting to know about your tax status, and or residency, apart from that, if an expat is living a simple life in Thailand drawing his pension out of an ATM, and just using that, how else is that person going to be of interest to the authorities regarding his tax status??

@Jeff ******

I have also just gone full circle, you repeat yourself saying I'm giving "dangerous advice" it's my opinion on what I think people will do, it's not advice, don't you think you're being a bit dramatic talking about deportation?? I read on another post it's a ฿2000 fine for failing to compete a tax return on time, i don't know how true that is, so please don't quote me on it, do you not realise that everything you mentioned, about checking passports, 90 day reports etc etc, all that would take a targeted investigation, they can't check everybody, it's impossible.

@Jeff ******

it was a statement not advice, I stated it is my opinion, most pensioners will probably just draw their pension and stay under the radar, also for instance any expats that work for a company say online outside of Thailand, will probably do the same, if they are not on the correct visa anyway, do you really think all the pensioners and digital nomads are going to be running off to the tax office with tax returns?? I think they will just carry on as they always have done, Thai authorities can't investigate everyone.

Unless forced too, with visa requirements, or requests from your Thai bank to show proof of a tax return, and or residence, the truth is, most retirees in Thailand won't do anything, and just draw their pension and live their lives, if you don't register with the tax office, they don't even know you exist, I think most of the fuss is scare mongering, but what I said is just my opinion, time will tell.

@Graham *****

the Thai E-visa website, it seems to like jpeg files, (ordinary photos) just make sure they aren't too big, that was my experience anyway.

I used the photo editor on my phone, and selected "collage" you can put two or more photos of your documents into one photo, and upload that, it was accepted for me on the Thai e-visa website.

@Todd ********

some immigration offices send people away and tell them to return when they have 7 days or less remaining, I've witnessed them in the Pattaya jomtien office, sending people away with five days remaining, because it was so busy! and telling them to return when they have one or two remaining.