what he said:

@Brandon ***********

, additionally, if I had to do it all over again, I would book directly from the hotel AND I would get a reference from this group, a hotel somebody has had a good experience.

When I booked I went through Agoda. ThaiPass, Agoda, and hotel was a nightmare situation, I dont recommend it.

@Greg ******

No more Covid/travel insurance? I can use my Blue Cross from my US employer? It doesn't specifically have coverage amounts but its quite wordy.

travel insurance for what? I understand health insurance but really paying a 10% premium on top of the cost of the trip seems like a good idea only if 1 out of 5 trips get goofed.

The government has suggested they'll drop the ThaiPass requirement in July. People are pushing for sooner. Nobody knows now what will be required months from now.

I am not really familiar with the retirement visa options. My buddy who uses retirement visa said its better to get them here then from outside of Thailand. I think because of insurance requirements. You may not be able to do same-day tourist visa but you maybe able to do it in a couple of days.

I would consider flying to somewhere near (Singapore, Cambodia, etc). Apply for tourist visa (or maybe just come back to Thailand on visa exempt), return and apply for the retirement visa.

@Jack *****

Does she have any legal status in the US? Resident Alien or Alien or anything?

I live with my GF and I pay all the bills. I would marry her if I had a good reason. I wondering how much paperwork I would need to do to get a tax break.

In my experience the visa paperwork is pretty much the same, now eVisa are available which make it easier

The real issue is ThaiPass, and that is still required.

@An *****

That can be an issue. I use AirBNB as a my residence on paper. There is a lady within in the building that understands the immigration process and she filled out the paperwork for me but I still had to file the TM30 myself. My landlord did not fill-out the paperwork.

Most AirBNB's I have stayed at will not fill out the paperwork nor will they provide you the paperwork you need to complete the TM30. Some airBNB's will, you may want to check before you make a reservation.

Another option is use an agent. My Agent wanted 2000 baht to complete the TM30, additionally they wanted some kinda of evidence of where I was staying.

It used to be that Bangkok never cared about TM30 but now they do, the last I knew. Maybe some immigration offices don't care. Pattaya does care and you will need a TM30 before you can get an extension.

I thought they were not offering Multiple Entry visa, for American passport holders (maybe everybody).

Multple-entry are good for 60+30 days for each entry. You will be required to leave the country every 90 days. The last time I used METV I would go to either Cambodia or Myanmar, exit Thailand, give my passport to someone hanging around, an hour later they would show up with my passport stamped in/out of the next country. I didn't have to enter another country, only exit Thailand.

The entry/visa requirements here in Thailand are fluid. What is your best option today may not be the best option. Depending on your schedule you may want to

A) Come and see what is available after 90 days (end of your first visa)

B) wait until after July (or May) and see what options are available to you.

Last time I was out doing that, it seems all were about the same.. There really isn't 'long' boat rides but rather number of island, time of day (sunset), if lunch is included, etc.