There was also a A4 print on the wall regarding health insurance. I forget the exact phrases used but, the gist of it was 'whilst they're not enforcing tourists to have travel insurance it would be preferred'. I had read on another forum (infamous for outdated or outright terrible guidance) that someone was refused the visa until he purchased travel insurance. I personally wasn't asked for this, nor, had i purchased it.

Hi

@Tod ********

my apologies, yes, I forgot to mention I also supplied a bank statement showing I had more than 20k baht in my bank account.

In Mid-March I applied at the consulate in Hanoi. I had flights 'in & out' of Thailand. The flight 'out' was 89 days from the date of my arrival to Thailand. I also booked 2 weeks of hotels in Bangkok. The application literally took only 3 mins to make, as there was only one other person there applying for a SETV. Same amount of time was taken when collecting the visa the next day. Good luck!

Hi

@Han***

I can only talk of my own experiences and I will add a precursor, as to say, anytime you are not fulfilling the checklist you run the risk of being rejected; because that week they're enforcing the rules or even just because they don't like the look of you. I've applied at KL at least 5-6 times over a 30 month period. My last application was December 2017, previous to that, was Sept 2017. I've always bought a flight to my next destination around the 89 day. And I've found that provided I had everything else on the list then 1-3 days of a booked hotel/hostel - starting from the day I arrive in Thailand - was fine. Additionally, there used to be a service provided by the hotel, across the road, on the same floor as the reception (its at the back), where they would let you use their internet and print documentation - a few years back, I once 'forgot' to purchase a onward flight and was able to run across the road and purchase/print a flight out of thailand. That said, I'm not sure if they still provide this service as I used it sometime ago. Others, might know. Good Luck!

My last Setv for KL was this December, just gone. I did not have to show proof of funds. If you follow all the checklist requirements you should be fine. Additionally, I know one of the requirements asks for proof of hotels reservations for your full stay. I have found if i meet all the other requirements then just a simple 1-3 day reservation, starting from the first day you land in Thailand, was accepted by the consulate.

Hi

@Mick ****

someone posted on the 22nd Feb that he was refused a METV from Kuala Lumpur. He was informed they would no longer issue these visas to non PR, due to new rules. If you use the search bar for the group using 'Malaysia' its a few posts down - the post starts "UPDATE ... ". It could be that the rules have changed again but, as far as group posts go, that's the last confirmation I've seen re: METV in KL.

@Skye **************

I dont, sorry. I think by making a new post asking for advice on language colleges in Krabi you will get better results, as that question is more likely to be seen when in a post heading. You can also use the page's search engine - I've found this most useful in the past. Good Luck!

Others will be better than I to comment, as I am unsure of the retirement process but, if you plan to stay for two years and then retire here I would suggest you consider looking into learning the thai language at one of the private colleges. Officially, you will be entitled to stay for up to 15 months. You can then learn another language to get even more time here.

If you need more time to soak in the information, given today, you could still do a few more visa runs. Just make sure you do them smartly - not going to the same consulate over and over / evident of: onwards travel, accommodation and have 20,000 baht on you. Just remember that it's always a risk with this option as Annika pointed out you can stay until one of the IO stops you.

Short Term: use SETV or METV visas with flights rather than coaches. Look presentable / Have evident of: accommodate / flights out of the country / 20,000 baht on you - All prepared before re-entry to Thailand - try not to visit the same consulate more than once or twice. If you research this group you will see many use this option for a number of years.

Mid Term: Education - dependent on the education you already have you could get a Degree, or, use one of the private colleges for up to 3 yrs learning: different languages / cooking / Muay Thai or combat training.

Long Term: Retire (showing a 'income' via pension or savings etc) or marry Thai.

There are many on here who know better than I, when it comes to staying in thailand but this seems to be the condensed version of the advice I see given.

To all those that replied, thank you. Your advice has been most helpful!