@Stuart ********

It used to be less of an issue. I have "abused" the system with reckless abandon, but the last time I came in the immigration officer pulled me aside and read me the riot-act. He made a point that in the past they were more flexible but they now have more visa options so there is no reason to 'work the system'

B

And does anybody know what is the tax rate?

They won't care.

You may get questioned about it but in the end, they won't care.

If you do get questioned about, keep calm be ultra respective, compliment Thailand, people food, etc. (Some westerns think its a good idea to get an attitude in these situations - it's not a good idea).

A lot can change in 3 years. I can decide to move to Thailand and the next day get a plane and be here, living in Thailand. It's really not much more complicated than that, for the Thai side of things... For the Canada side of things.. I would make sure you have a phone set-up, current driver's license, all your banking needs arranged.

In the US, the state where you reside, determines your tax liability, not sure how its done up north but you want to look into best tax situation.

Yeah - they seem to be cracking down on appropriate visa types. I have been using METV for while now, but my last entry (2 weeks ago) they pulled me a side and told me to get the correct visa. They've done that in the past but this time, there are more visa options so I think they were kinda serious.

I recently got a new passport. My previous passport was full of tourist stamps. When I got my new passport I simply left Thailand. They added two stamps when I exited. One stamp was a reference to my previous passport and the other stamp was my exit stamp.

Maybe you're doing it wrong?

Don't sweat it too much. You'll come, you'll figure it out.

You'll need long term visa to do long term stuff, driver's license, bank accounts, etc. But you won't need to figure that out right away. I would get a tourist visa maybe METV and travel around Thailand and abroad, find place you like, find people you like, ask them what they do. The right answer will come to you.

Nobody cares if you plant a couple rose bushes.

The rule of thumb, you can't take a job away from a Thai person.

Thailand has two season... Hot and Hotter... You will not need to worry about the cold (unless you go to the high country in the North).

It's possible to drive but more comfortable not to drive. I am also a US citizen and drive a motorcycle everywhere (including Bangkok).. I drove a car once in Thailand and hated it. They drive on the other side of the road, which isn't so bad, but you'll find that the windshield wipers come on every time you use your turn signal (... because its on the wrong side of the steering wheel). The driving customs are very foreign, confusing, signs are in a language you likely don't read, google maps helps only a little and less at 60/mph, and generally a pain in the ass. Eventually you'll get it figure out then you will go home. In the end you will have traveled half way around the wrong and all you've done is learned to drive on the wrong side of the road.

From BKK flights to Phuket are cheap, there is a train that can take you most the way (I think), and there are buses or if you want to spend the bucks you could rent a private car/driver. If I felt the need to go to Phuket from BKK by land, I would take a bus from one town to the nex, over the course of 2-3 days.

@Andy *********

I recently replaced my phone and was considering Oppo, good to know they're liked. Thanks for sharing..