Not all European countries come under the Schengen law.

@Michael *******

You are very welcome. We love it here...Amazing country.

@Rikki *******

we are checking out Cambodia this year. Thailand is just a pain in the a$$. Also not so cheap anymore either.

@Michael *******

From my understanding. Many agents are no longer doing the 800 K into a thai bank account as the Thai authorities are really cracking down on immigration in Thailand. Same with visa entries...They are always flip flopping around. We live in Costa Rica. You get a 180 day stay here with out all the red tape BS every 60 days..We spent 3 months in Thailand last year. This year planning a trip to Cambodia to check it out. 55 plus, you can stay in the country for 12 months for $300 U.S.D with out all the redtape BS. Here in Costa rica you only have to border bounce once a year with out having to put money in a bank account or pay agents...Costs us $36 usd to do a border run with the exit taxes and entry fees when doing land border run. Once a year. Costa rica is beautiful.

We flew from Costa rica. 3 flights and 13 hrs time difference. Night flight from LAX to Tokoyo. Slept most of it...by the time we got to Bangkok i was pretty rested....hardest thing for me was the bloody matttres....Brutal!

We just spent around 6 weeks in Pattaya. Our first time. I absolutely love Pattaya & Jomtien. Jomtien is quiter & it is so easy to get down into pattaya . Been back in Costa Rica 2 weeks now. I have never been a city Gal. I currently live on a mountain in the jungle, over the Pacific Ocean. My morning alarm clock is howler monkey's. Not horns and motorbikes. I love living where i am. But i am now seriously thinking about spending six months here and six months in pattaya. As a home base for six months whilst i do some more exploring. Plus Pattaya is easy Commute to Bangkok. Always some event going on. We stayed at a few different locations around Pattaya & Jomtien. The base on 2nd road, central and convenient to everything, was our favorite spot.

Have they not just announced no more 60 day visa on arrival? you will now have to fill in a ETA Online, before even entering the country ? So how will a one day border hop work ? This rolls out Dec 1st 2024. Just curious how this will affect one day border bounces if you will now have to apply for a ETA online to be let back into Thailand.

@Brenda ********

We did 60 on arrival in July. No forward ticket as were not sure if we would do the full 60 days. Went to immigration in jomtien yesterday. Extended for another 30 day's, Very easy. If we come back next year. Probably going to do the 15 month retirement visa. That will give us long enough i think & decide if we want to stay longer. Also won't have to do any border runs or extensions. We were told yesterday at Immigration they are starting to crack down on those who are trying to live here by border hopping. Now i have no idea if this is True. That is what we were told yesterday. Border runs every two months to get an extra 30 days is not Cheap with an Agent 3500 Baht PP and up. That seems to be the going rate in Pattaya & Jomtien. Or you could drive & do it yourself. But can only do two land border hops a year. Other option fly out for a few days and fly back. I just dont want to deal with that every 60 days and worry if they reject Entry after a few border hops.