A wire transfer is probably going to cost the same no matter how much you transfer. Transfer much larger amounts and the rate starts to look better.

I think the safest path is to buy your phone in the US. Buy it unlocked. This will cost more. Make sure it has 2 sims, physical sims or esims, doesn't matter. Have the store where you buy the phone put your US number on the phone. They should be able to do this for you. When you are in Thailand you can buy a Thai phone plan. Same thing. They can put the Thai phone number on your US phone.

What US plan you use is up to you. Test it with your bank while you are in the US. Look into the fees to use that number internationally. The US phone company knows when you are using the phone number outside the US. International use will cost more.

Regarding 2 factor authorization, check to see if your bank and any other institution you are using will allow authorization via email. Both of my US banks allow that.

@Jack ***************

TMI

@Stefan ***********

Just went through the motions. You don’t really want to be figuring this out for the first time in your moment of need as the comments in this post demonstrate.

I would say the same about the fancy Japanese electronic toilets. You should check out the controls before you need to use it.

😂 over 7 years in Thailand and I’ve never had to squat. When I was a tourist I looked it up on the internet and practiced in the back yard. The most important lesson is to make sure nothing is going to fall out of your pockets. Make sure your cell phone is water resistant.

@Graham ******

I saw a post this morning of someone who got a DTV from the UK consulate by having a few dentist appointments (Invisalign) and a letter from the dentist.

@Ken **********

I now have an LTR and it is a completely different experience at the Thailand Board of Investment office. Everyone I talk to there speaks almost fluent English. The dream come true!

@Ken **********

Oh wow! Definitely don’t assume the immigration officer knows English. In 6 years of going to Bangkok immigration they barely spoke a word to me except one senior officer once that spoke barely passable English.

@Tara *******

I would say go do a 90 day report (if you are here a continuous 90 days) and if you don’t need to do it then they will tell you and you will know what to do for the next 5 years. Alternatively you could ignore it and pay the fine if you get caught.

@Andy ***********

Well congratulations. I always got good advice from Tod Daniels. I never had a problem at CW. I’m done with all that now that I have an LTR.