@Vernon ********

"That is just the lady boys!" Actually, they've come to Bangkok.

@Declan *********

"unfair" blows mind when Farang think that way. The whole reason their here is because life is unfair, in their favor. But when life becomes more fair, they're the first to cry.

@John *******

I would say big %

If you want to eat only rice and sleep on the beach, $50/month

If you want to live in a beach side condo and eat steak every day, $3000/month

siam-legal.com - I have never used them but supposedly they have lawyers in Thailand and lawyers in the US (and elsewhere), so in theory you should be covered in both countries. From what I understand the US and Thailand have some sort of "friendship" treaty that is suppose to allow you some advantages, I think maybe you can open a business in the US and legally operate in Thailand, but I don't really know. Make sure your the lawyer you talk to is familiar with that Treaty, otherwise they're just some schmuck trying to take your money (they can provide a value because they're familiar with the system and probably have 'friends').

You can apply online from the Embassy in DC. You will want to consider the different visas. One you get in country and one you get in the US (from the Embassy). They have different requirements. A buddy of mine prefers says getting the visa in Thailand is better because of insurance requirements.

I am one person, I live in a condo (92M^2, 1000 sqft), my condo is about 1000 feet from the ocean, in pattaya. I pay 20,000 baht rent ($600/US). I make a monthly transfer of about $2,000/USD (65,000 THB). I am comfortable. I have enough money for weekly entertainment, I eat out on the weekends and cook for myself during the week. I have a motorcyle that will need to get replace about every 10 years. I can afford the various necessities, replace lost phone, renew passport pay for visa runs. And I have a little left over. I manage to travel a couple times a year.

Rent 20,000

Electric/Water: 3000

Bangkok is more expensive then other places. I enjoyed living in Bangkok but I am more comfortable in Pattaya. I have heard good things about Hua Hin.

Your comforts determine how much you need to get by. You determine how much comfort you need. If you require a Super Sports car then your budget is insufficient. If you are content eating only rice and eggs, then you have plenty of money.

Farang always pay more but if you hare thrifty you always find cheaper ways to live. I prefer have an air conditioner but its not entirely necessary. As they say "Up to you"

I am not a a Filipino but I do work in Thailand remotely. I have done several back-to-back visa runs without issue. Many people in this group advise against it but it's worked out for me.

I haven't asked for any hard drugs but I get prescription sleeping pills from a local doctor without much hassle. I would guess that if you have a legitimate reason you can probably get a prescription locally... But I don't really know.

I shopped around for a visa agent to handle my marriage visa. They were asking 50-65,000 baht. For a retirement visa it's only 15,000. That is about how much more of a pain in the neck the marriage visa is. It's fine if its a legitimate marriage and you have no other options. I think a lot of people who do have other options pursue the other options over the marriage visa.