How about what they call evacuation insurance. Medical costs are “affordable” here. It’s a risk but maybe not as severe as you might think but with evacuation insurance after you are stabilized here it will get you home.

I do western union. Exchange rate may not be the very best but oddly it can go through sometimes within and hour and other times 2-3 days particularly if I initiate it near the US weekend. Fee is $1.99.

@Winston *******

I make all my crossings by air but everything I see seems to indicate that this is a ymmv situation. Individual agents seem to exercise discretion in somewhat different ways.

There is no set rule but one extra visa exemption is almost definitely not a problem at all. Only when people do several do issues develop for the most part.

@Olivia *******

I’m sorry. What country is that from. It had been 30 but for US citizens and many others it changed to 60 this year.

It’s actually 60 days on arrival extension available to 90 days. Hasn’t been 30 days for a number of months. There are new visa options but the most obvious one is retirement but you have to be 50 for that.

@Jim *******

no. I simply draw from atm or occasionally transfer funds via western union. Something called wise is also indispensable here. Unfortunately health insurance is an issue here. It is available but since nearly all of it precludes pre existing conditions it would be likely not to cover me. I have diabetes in good control but it precludes good coverage here. However healthcare is actually quite good and literally 10% of the costs we pay in the west. Many westerners “self insure” here. That’s a risk I’m only willing to take first a few years. I never anticipated this as my “final destination” but intend to return stateside when I’m older. I think around 2029.

I took a different path that I greatly prefer but it depends on the person. I just split my time between Thailand Vietnam Malaysia and now Cambodia. Flights are cheap. Lodging is easy to arrange and I much prefer the variety over any one place. No visa issues. 90 days Vietnam 60 days Thailand 90 days Malaysia 60 days Thailand etc. really like all three just about equally.

I have done it 4 times this year but I’m always out for at least 30 days and overall I’m out of Thailand more than I’m in Thailand.

But the real answer unfortunately is YMMV.

Too many is defined only in the mind of your particular immigration officer.

@Jay ******

sorry but I’m too busy laughing at big tough you to bother to respond. 555