I am told that it is possible to get the 90 day retirement visa, leave with re-entry permit an return, then get the 1 year extension. This is my plan, in fact. But I have not done it yet.

South Thailand is pretty thick with Muslim community. To get to James Bond Island, there are several Muslim villages. Your friend will have no problems Halal.

I lived a couple places in Bangkok where I can hear the call to prayers at 5:00am.

In Bangkok, near/in Nana there are a few Muslim country embassies, there maybe a good place to get Halal. Nana is not recommended for the respectable crowd.

From what I read the requirements made it a little silly. Advanced degree or high income ($250,000 US with a million bucks in the bank). It really makes more sense to send two years abroad, 3 months Thailand, 3 Months Malaysia, ....

@Ama ****

I always print everything when travelling, especially travelling into Thailand.

If you intend to extend your visa, you will need to take a printed copy of your eVisa with you to immigration. I tried to extend without it and had to come back.

Safe travels.

Loosing a motorcycle seems like a small price to pay.

How long did it take you to get your ThaiPass?

I don't think you'll have issues coming back into Thailand. I would recommend printing everything, hotel reservation, flights, etc.

I have not done any visa runs post-covid, however I used to do theme all the time. There are few in this group who have done visa runs to Cambodia, one individual claimed to have completed the whole journey in a couple of days.

Further, I imagine over the next few months more options will open up.

@Nigel *********************

You had to wait the Amphur? I was under the impression that was a simple process, much like "going down to city hall"? Was your wait on paperwork?

@Nigel *********************

And when you renew? 14 months later? Will you need to have it in the bank before/after?

How do you get them to make so many stamps on so few pages. In my passport it looks like no immigration officer wants to put two stamps on one page.