I double check the final figure, before putting in my credit card number and decide at that time "is this price worth it"... The big joke is that a lot of those properties don't bother putting accurate pictures... You get misled on price and product.

I had to provide my criminal back check. I went to the local court house and they provided me a state that I had no outstanding cases. This seems to satisfy the background check requirement. Its interesting to note that the local court house was in a different state than where I got in trouble.

@Han *******

They don't need to get all the countries... Just the top five, Australia, UK, Korea, US, etc.. There is no value in chasing around $1 but there is a value in chasing around $100. And yes, life is unfair.

I have wonder about 'resident' in this article it just say "living in Thailand 179 days" but I have to wonder if there isn't more to it than that.

This could mean we'll have to "adopt" a couple of kids to lessen the tax burden. I am happy to redirect government money to the needy.

I work for a client in the US. I work remotely and live in Thailand on tourist visas. I am sure you can work similarly on a retirement visa. Where you will have problems is if you're taking jobs from Thais or working with groups of immigrate labors (building houses and what not).. Hence, not motor cycle taxi jobs for you, no construction jobs, no food vending, etc.

@Sean ********

I am in the process of applying for my METV from Washington DC. Normally it's painless, less than 2 weeks... This time they're asking for me to submit and resubmit various documents. I recommend you allow at least 3 weeks.

KL is nice enough. I guess I have visited enough major cities that they all pretty much seem the same to me. I just bought a one-way ticket to KL for visa purposes, doubt I will use it though.

@ReNisha *******

In the past I have used bus tickets, Hat Yai to Penang, $12, last I knew. However, my past two METV they were specific to ask for flight details so I bought check throw away ticket to Malaysia $50.

I have gotten Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) which can be stretched for 9 months (exit the country every 90 days). I have been here 10 years on different visa types, most are tourist visas.

You'll likely want a driver's license.

If you're retired and have an abundance of time you may want to try to do some of the things you need to do, without the agent. Then you'll have a better idea of what value they provided.

One thing to keep in mind is that many things are different here. When you use an agent you'll blame them for some of Thailand's oddities. It's rumored that once you use an agent you'll always have to use an agent.

Agents can get almost anything done which is nice. If you do all your things on your own it could take a a couple of weeks, if you use an agent, it may just be a couple of days.