I always stay at High Life Bungalows. It’s on a steep hillside with steps going to the beach. It’s got a beautiful infinity pool with great views and the best food I’ve found on the island. Not sure about small kids and steep hillside but check it out online or in person and use your own judgment.

You will want a rental car unless you plan to stay there the whole time

They will meet you at the ferry if you want

what type of insurance are you looking for?

something to meet an entry or visa requirement - I would highly recommend Arawan Namak. You can explain your situation and she will give you options with reputable companies.

If you're looking for medical insurance to cover routine outpatient care in Thailand, I would just pay out of pocket.

If you're looking for medical insurance to cover serious illness (cancer, organ transplants, etc) or accidents and related hospitalization and treatment in Thailand, then I would buy from a reputable agent in the area you will live. Your agent should facilitate your hospital admission, obtain any pre-authorization that may be required, and assist with the claims process. This type of policy must be purchased in most cases prior to 70 years of age and is renewable until 85. You obviously want a company you think will be around that long. I use an agent in Bangkok for AIA.

feel free to PM me if you want more information.

yes, Luma is a good company

@Stephen *****

maybe it’s changed. This was several years ago shortly after the US Embassy stopped notarizing income statements. The Royal Thai Embassy in the US accepts statements from your bank accompanied by notarized letter from the bank. Thai Immigration here does not or at least did not three years ago

Thai Longstay Visa said they couldn’t help me with the documentation you have.

@Stephen *****

I believe it must be notarized by your embassy not your bank. The US Embassy no longer provides that service. I was told I couldn’t use the 40k method. I’m a US citizen.

Superrich Orange in Phra Ram 9 MRT mall has the same rate as their head office .

That’s the best rate I have found but it may not be worth the effort or expense to get there depending on your location and amount of money you want to change.

You can check their current rates at each location by Googling their website at Superrich1965

I've always gotten my deposit back. But I leave the condo at least as clean as I found it, photographically document any existing damages when I move in, and have those attached to the lease and initialed by the owner or property manager.

@Tom ******

I’m including you in the we. I meant all of us. At no time did I advise anyone to get vaccinated. All I did was try to dispel the notion that getting a vaccination will fix everything. I agree that these vaccines haven’t been adequately tested. Personally I am going to wait a while. Right now I think being in Thailand is all the protection I need.

@John *******

It's a synthesis of what I've read a variety of places, including medical journals, over the last several months and many years of experience. It's not plagiarized.

I have a PhD In public health. I'm retired now - no need to call me doctor. You can if you want. I'm a former senior scientist at the American Cancer Society and former research director at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

I'm a co-author on a couple of papers published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) in the last couple of years. You can find me on Google Scholar or Google for that matter.