@Daniel ***********

nothing fake about my extensions but I'm not a fan at all of the change. Just more time a good chunk of money has to sit earning zero interest or gains. I'll look into opening an account at another bank if they hold true to this.

@Ludwig **********

but that is not an immigration requirement. For marriage extension funds are only required 2 months prior to application. There is no post application requirement. It could technically go to zero after application.

@Michael *******

for marriage extensions its only 400k for 2 months prior. After approval it can go to zero the next day if one wanted, although its safest to keep it in until one gets the full stamp (not the initial 30 day under consideration stamp.)

@Chris ******

aghh yes. I forgot about the METV, which I did get but entered just a few days before they closed the country down for covid. So I never actually had the chance to even use it since they just kept granting amnesty to anyone already in country.

@Chris ******

thank you for the clarification. I'm curious as to what visas are like that so I know for any future comments? I should've been a bit more specific and specified every visa I've gotten, and was aware of, in every country I've been to. I'm always open to being corrected and learning.

Yes. That is how every visa in every country I've visited works. There is the visa validity date, which means you have until then to enter the country. This is separate from the duration of stay which the visa grants from the day you enter.

@Phil ****

according to chatGPT you can, but need to schedule and appointment online. This wasn't an option when I did it, but that was during covid so it may be possible again now. Just an FYI, the embassy in chaing mai does not do passport renewals, mail in or in person.

Apparently if you do it that way you will get to retain your old passport while you wait for the new one. Which will still take 2-5 weeks.

@Larry ******

definitely come and check several places out. I'm only 48 but actually really liked Hua Hin, although I was only there for a week. Sure its not as high paced as other places but whether its enough is completely dependent on what you are used to or want. I'm from the rural Midwest so Hua Hin is a huge city with way more to offer compared to the towns of only 4,000 people.

Go to the US embassy website in Bangkok and follow the process. You'll have to send it there and they'll send the new and old one back to you in 2-5 weeks.

@Richard *****

I stopped using mine as frequently though because the first few years here I would have at least 1 or 2 cards per year compromised and its a pain the a** to get new ones shipped here or have to wait until I got back to the states. So now I am very careful about where I use them.