Maybe you can renounce your US citizenship, I don't really know... But then what citizen would you be? Who would issue a passport? Would you show up at the airports and tell them "I dont have a passport because I don't like them, muh"?

@Giorgio *****

Last time I shopped for onward travel tickets 12go.asia had the best deals, Hat Yai to Penang, Malaysia, Looking now those tickets cost $13 so $12 is a good deal. $12 for international travel is a very good price.

I have a buddy that says its better to get the retirement visa in-country, due to insurance reasons. I don't think you have time to get the visa all squared away before you leave, hence if you did get a retirement visa, it would likely expire in 3 months and you will have to do it all over again (you won't have time to get the extension).

I recommend, enjoy your last week in Pattaya. Go home, come back, then worry about the retirement visa.

It's "Onward Travel" not necessary "Onward Flight". That makes a difference if you are buy tickets for the sole purpose of show proof of "Onward Travel" and you have no intention of actually travelling (bus tickets are cheaper than plane tickets).

You didn't ask but I will say any way...

Places you'll want to see if you are considering moving to Pattaya

Wongmat Beach (Naklua)

Soi Siam Country Club (the darkside, Nong Prue)

Central Pattaya/Pattaya Beach

Soi Bakhao (night time, dinner)

Pratumnak Hill

Jomtien/Jomtien Beach

Approximentally North to South with various degree of Farang/Thai mix.

I suspect you will get many recommendations for a driver but if you don't find one I can recommend my transfer service, also I know a girl whose English is perfect, she drives and often looking for extra work.

You go girl!

Most people in Thailand use Line.

When I bought mine, I bought from a company/person that rented motorcycles short time and long term. I paid them a couple of baht to change the paperwork to my name. You never know when you will need to prove it's your motorcycle.

I recently did Cambodia run from Pattaaya - need need to pack a tooth-brush, you'll be home in a few hours.

In both cases you're eligible for retirement visa. Also you are entitled to retirement visa and dependent visas (this maybe useful because retirement visa has some requirements about proof of income). A retirement visa is valid for 90 days but can be extended for 1 year. There are some requirements to the retirement visa and some paperwork. The requirements vary by passport and if you are applying in-country or out of country. So look at both of those options.

Also, you can get a 60 tourist visa which can be extended 30 days given you a total of 90 days. You can do border bounce which is probably 30 days with a extension of 30 days for a total of 60 days. (I am not sure because I am more familiar with US national visa options which may be a little different for Aussies and Japanese).

I have applied for and gotten my eVisa while not in my home country. There is a lot a debate if it's possible or legal or whatever. From personal experience, its possible to get an eVisa while travelling from Thai Embassy USA, maybe the is the case for Aussie/Japan. If you can, then you can have a eVisa for your second leg of your journey which gets you 90 days.