Walnutcharles
American expat in Thailand
Forum posts
49
About me
American
Registration: 27 September 2023
Need help! by Kaid6065
Hello, I am new to this forum, from USA. Looking for input from retirees or others who have taken this journey. How did you make this journey? I feel mentally stuck trying to wrap my mind around how to begin the process, that is, selling ...
@Kaid6065 I use a service like this and it works well for me. But banks will not accept a service like this for your physical address. They will for your mailing address but not a physical address and by usa law they must have a physical address. ... Read More
Need help! by Kaid6065
Hello, I am new to this forum, from USA. Looking for input from retirees or others who have taken this journey. How did you make this journey? I feel mentally stuck trying to wrap my mind around how to begin the process, that is, selling ...
Kaid, 1st to look hard at is your money, the monthly retirement income if you have it.Do not look at the one time income from saling something or the income from something that you have to be around to manage or participate in any way out side ... Read More
Moving abroad when I retire by robertjmorgan
Hello everyone I’m Robert Morgan i live in Wales at the moment but in around 18 months I’m due to retire.I’ve had a crazy idea about moving abroad when I do retire, but is this just a crazy idea ?I left home when l was 17 so ...
You need to decide how much money do have to spend each and every month. How much you have in savings that you will not touch. Health insurance coverage you want. Live style you want, bars. Bars girls, wild or a quite live. Do you want to only eat ... Read More
Getting around with your pet in Thailand by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Living in Thailand with a pet also means learning how to navigate local transport systems together. From daily commutes to occasional trips, you have to navigate betwwen local rules and real-life experiences. Whether you’re ...
By my estimate only 3 to 5 percent of condo alow pets, cats or dogs. If you get caught they cam fine you and possibly terminate your lease or even ownership of said condo as you are breaking the lease or condo contact.I live in one of the condo ... Read More
Flight Cost by watsonwillie32
Can someone tell me about the flight cost to Thailand and the time it takes to get there? I will be flying out of Houston, Texas I'm pretty tall, 6'3 to be exact. Please do not tell me that the leg space is the same as on a domestic flight. When ...
If you catch a flight from Houston to Las Vegas you can fly from Las Vegas to Incheon South Korea and then from there to fly to Bangkok on korean airline.You can look business class and you will get lounge access in Incheon you can get a shower and ... Read More
I plan to retire in December 2026 by watsonwillie32
Good day everyone My name is Will Watson. All of my friends and family call me Will or either Wat. I currently reside in Houston,Texas. I plan to retire in December 2026 after 40 years of teaching and coaching on the Middle School level. My ...
Chiang-Mai and Bangkok air pollution is bad. If you have any breathing problems I would not settle there.You should get a "O" visa is fir retirement and is fir 1 year also get the multi entry visa too at the same time.I would not buy a motorcycle, ... Read More
Newbie wanting to retire to Thailand by AmandaFlo
Hi allI'm a 68 year old lady, still active (sounds like a dating profile - it isn't!) at the moment.Retried police office and local government officer. I've been retired for coming up to three years.I've contacted a few retirement villages in ...
@Coltonholbrook28 Chiang-Mai and Bangkok air pollution is bad. If you have any breathing problems I would not settle there. You should get a "O" visa is fir retirement and is fir 1 year also get the multi entry visa too at the same time. I would not ... Read More
New here living in Jomtien Beach by Amoura Restaurant Pattaya
Hi everyone, I'm Adam living in Jomtien Beach near Laguna Beach Condo 2. Loving the area and happy to share tips about life here!
There are good restaurants in the area from low cost like in checkpoint to normal prices. Some gentleman clubs one o like in the area. And bars. The food is to me a bit better than some areas. No real 10 bauts (bus service) a nice open air market.A ... Read More
Personal effects to Surin Province Thailand by danielboonjp
I have posted previously and received good advice re bringing a car over; however, I am specifically after tips on bringing stuff over, nothing illegal ... more like specific *sized boxes and the like ... I appreciate there is a crossover point of ...
It to me depends where and from who you are buying king sized sheets from here in Pattaya. You can get 100% cotton sheets king size from mall stores or other large stores. Their prices are very high. So I do not shop intemperate to get my king ... Read More
Thai Lawyer Holding Company by Duncan Pauline
Hi guys, I could do with some advice please. My Thai wife sadly died last August, as part of our retirement plan, I bought a house in Hua Hin in her name. I had wills for both of us. I needed to go to court in Nov and was granted Administrator of ...
It's my understanding that if you do the nominee you will lose big time. Your house the land which is not your, and your right to be in Thailand will be taken from you.You could try and have the land given to her parent or child and hope they do not ... Read More
Calling your bank back home ... by Wen Song
Operator assisted 'collect (reverse charge) calls' are as rare as finding a pay phone. Especially with today's mobile phones and their many various service providers. And toll free numbers, even country specific 'toll free' number does not work with ...
I do it with my usa phone number and wifi. I have my 1800 number select my usa phone number and it's sim. That sim is selected to use the wifi first. So incoming calls from usa use the wifi and I use it to call out back to the USA so no billing for ... Read More
Moving to Thailand by drgion
Hello all, My name is Dragos, a born and raised in Bucharest, Romanian guy, and a Canadian citizen since 1993. I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada. I'm 59 and I retired a few years ago.Last year, I visited many places in ...
Not here in Thailand. That is to low of income. With that income you would have a lot of trouble even getting a retirement visa here.Try Argentina. Panama but not in the main cities. Remember that Medicare is only good in the USA. You will have ... Read More
Community of expat living north of Phetchabun by benphetchabun
@Julien hi! I live north of Phetchabun a few weeks a year for now, and this will gradually go to a few months a year. My (Thai) wife and just built a house…). I am wondering if there’s a small community of expats in the area. I love ...
Hi, if all you have as income is social security I would say do not come to Thailand. If you have additional income then maybe if it is enough. Thier are a lot of YouTube videos that say you can live on just that much. But in reality do not try it ... Read More
Retirement visa seems impossible. Help please by andrewwnbanks
Please help. I plan to retire to Buriram in April. I am British, my wife is Thai and we have an 8 and a 5 year old. We currently live in the uk and my wife also has a uk passport. We are building a house in Buriram ready in April. I don’t ...
Have your wife open a thai bank account and have her add you to the account. Put the required amount in to the account wait the required amount of days and then do your retirement visa or your marriage visa. Your thai wife can open a account. ... Read More
Retirement visa by Elaine Simants
Hi all need bank account & retirement visa for me & husband no have enough funds in bank so need a service & pay extra can anyone recommend visa shop Pattaya ka
I would recommend you for the retirement visa with income then. If you do not have enough passive income to meet the requirements then do not come Thailand does not want you and they are targeting these people to be kicked out of Thailand. 2ed it is ... Read More
Uk bank account loving in Thailand by Simonbolton
Hi, I meant living in Thailand.... I am planning on moving to Thailand in the near future. My uk bank has told me that if I move abroad they have the right to close my account. I have a lot of savings, and a pension being paid in every ...
The UK and the USA banks all have to have a in the country a local address. It's the law now days. The easiest way around is ask a friend or relative can you use their home address and if they say yes them move your address on your bank account to ... Read More
Anyone done Thai retirement visa by yourself (no agents) by brerono345
I have been back and forth to Thailand over some years but getting serious about considering the retirement visa now, and I'm sure things have changed greatly now with the online websites and such.and over the past years I've read too many nightmare ...
Now days I would recommend using a agent. Banks here are under more regulations on opening new accounts for non thai's. And some banks that have had thier fingers hit by the government are just not doing it from what I am hearing. If you ... Read More
Knowing about Thai Laws by sajjshiningstar
It is just to get the knowledge from our expat community what could be the best option for an expat who finds himself/herself in a legal complexity in Thailand? What option expats prefer to choose for getting their legal issue resolved?
This was many years ago. And the USA embassy would not even come over to see him. Several USA citizens went to the embassy to ask them too and they would not. He was not rich or political connected. He had before said some things about how easy it ... Read More
Knowing about Thai Laws by sajjshiningstar
It is just to get the knowledge from our expat community what could be the best option for an expat who finds himself/herself in a legal complexity in Thailand? What option expats prefer to choose for getting their legal issue resolved?
Do not do anything wrong here.Check with a lawyer or thier service. Pay asap if the amount is reasonable. If not try to negotiate it lower. This is if you did the thing wrong. If it's someone or thing that did the to you to you go to a lawyer if you ... Read More
90 day online reporting (retirement) working better now? by lenichan7
Sorry for another topic, I was wondering how reliable the online reporting tool is working now because a few topics from 2023 and 2024 mentioned some problems with the system, is it working better than before?
For me it's a 100% failure to get logged in too.I keep getting back to the login after I logged in it's a loop over many tries and days. Yes, I have cleared my cache and tried a different web browser. I ended just going in and doing it in person. Read More
Health insurance qualifications by madbrain
I am 48 and early retired, currently living in the US, and considering expatriating to Thailand. I have a double digit list of chronic medical conditions which require care, mainly prescriptions, supplements and regular lab tests. I have already ...
Hi, here is my thoughts. You say you hold a French passport you may also have a sécurité sociale card or can apply for one. I would 1st travel to France and get your sécurité sociale cRd and then ask for the add on ... Read More
Banking in Thailand by hollytg2003
Hi, I already have a Thai bank account but I’m looking to moving all my monies to that bank however what concerns me is using a debit card to purchase online for example and the card getting used for fraudulent activity?Therefore what ...
In the k-bank cellphone app it has a hew ways to pay. QR code and transfer. I have used these two for street food stalls, grocery stores any stores a any of the malls, bars, gogo clubs, clubs, Restaurants, 7-11's allover Thailand. Read More
Banking in Thailand by hollytg2003
Hi, I already have a Thai bank account but I’m looking to moving all my monies to that bank however what concerns me is using a debit card to purchase online for example and the card getting used for fraudulent activity?Therefore what ...
Lazada is the Thailand website that a lot of people use to buy in Thailand online and yes they take QR code. I do not use the other website buying sites as they are outside of Thailand and have to go through customs. I just do not want the hassle. Read More
Banking in Thailand by hollytg2003
Hi, I already have a Thai bank account but I’m looking to moving all my monies to that bank however what concerns me is using a debit card to purchase online for example and the card getting used for fraudulent activity?Therefore what ...
What I use is the bank's app from k- bank to pay by QR code..QR code paying is wide spread used here in Thailand. I do not use my visa debit card at all. Read More
Cost of Visa agent by JonSt
Anyone who can share what they paid for agent services for opening a bank account and help with a non-immigrant O visa after arriving in Thailand?I do have the 800k to deposit into a Thai bank account, so I don't need their "help" with that ...
Siam Legal on sukhumvit in Bangkok Read More
Help! I need some advice about my retirement extension by abemsouth
Due to my own fault I fell below the 800k balance a couple of weeks ago. Not by much, as soon as I noticed it I replaced the money. My account was only under for about twelve hours to fifteen hours. I used the wrong atm card to withdraw money out ...
Are both accounts thai bank accounts?If so I would get a bank statement of both accounts when you go in.I am not a expert or anything. I thought the requirements was 800 k on deposit in a Thailand. With the your bank accounts statements together it ... Read More
US Yearly taxes. IRS. by thailand4me
Does anyone have a safe, dependable person or service that they use to file the IRS taxes for Americans living in Thailand.
I used Truro tax too with the cpa option. Read More
Cost of Visa agent by JonSt
Anyone who can share what they paid for agent services for opening a bank account and help with a non-immigrant O visa after arriving in Thailand?I do have the 800k to deposit into a Thai bank account, so I don't need their "help" with that ...
All forms I had were in thai only. Read More
Cost of Visa agent by JonSt
Anyone who can share what they paid for agent services for opening a bank account and help with a non-immigrant O visa after arriving in Thailand?I do have the 800k to deposit into a Thai bank account, so I don't need their "help" with that ...
The new opening a new bank account government requirements started this year.Before the new rules kicked in it was easier to open a new account now not as easy. Read More
Getting a 1-year extension of Non-Immigrant (O) visa by rbakker
I will soon be applying for the initial 1-year extension to my Non-Immigrant (O) visa and would like to keep a record of it here along with any questions that pop up along the way. I'm eligible to apply on Feb 5 2024 because then it's 2 months since ...
For my visas that I do in the Bangkok office it's always days not months. Read More
Getting a 1-year extension of Non-Immigrant (O) visa by rbakker
I will soon be applying for the initial 1-year extension to my Non-Immigrant (O) visa and would like to keep a record of it here along with any questions that pop up along the way. I'm eligible to apply on Feb 5 2024 because then it's 2 months since ...
The 800k will need to stay most of the time in the bank during your 1 year visa. If I am remembering right after you get the visa for 3 more months thrn like 6 months at the last half of the year. So do not count on spending it and not keeping the ... Read More
Cost of Visa agent by JonSt
Anyone who can share what they paid for agent services for opening a bank account and help with a non-immigrant O visa after arriving in Thailand?I do have the 800k to deposit into a Thai bank account, so I don't need their "help" with that ...
Last year I had a service do everything and was around 38,000 thai. Read More
Income Verification requirements for non O Visa (instead of Deposit) by Paul_Adams
I am attempting to get my Visa without having to struggle to open a bank account, wait 60 days and the money transfer. Instead, I prefer to apply with income only. Unfortunately they are asking for verification of income from the USA embassy. ...
Question, have you been receiving your passive income for more than a year?Do you have your bank produce a year worth of banking records that they will sign.Have your 1040 federal taxes paperwork. Have statements from your income sources for 1 year. Read More
Exhibition by Ozonekatae
If we organize a Hello Kitty exhibition in Thailand, Expat groups living in Thailand Will attend the event or not?
It will depend on where in Thailand it's at.Also, would like a Japanese kawaii exhibit. Read More
Embassies not verifying by shenpa
I was hoping to use the income method instead of bulk deposit when coming to Thailand as I don’t really want 800k just sitting there earning no interest but I spoke with Siam legal and was advised that the UK, Australian, Canadian and US ...
For what I was told before your retirement income must be passive and you have to been receiving it for 1 year before you apply, be of age. And have a Thailand health insurance. For the LTR visa aka 5 or 10 year visa. You will need a bank statement ... Read More
Retirement visa by C. H. Jarve
Hi folks. First time questioner.Can anyone explain to me, step by step, the process and requirements to obtain a retirement visa? Do you need an attorney to run the paperwork, if any? Can you apply for multi-entry visa and if not is there any ...
@mdullin53Look on the web you will find several. I used siam legal. You can email them or call them.Work out what you will need to do and what you will qualify for. You can pay the cost with a credit card. I did it that way. Some on the expat ... Read More
Retirement visa by C. H. Jarve
Hi folks. First time questioner.Can anyone explain to me, step by step, the process and requirements to obtain a retirement visa? Do you need an attorney to run the paperwork, if any? Can you apply for multi-entry visa and if not is there any ...
I used a agency for my retirement visa and multiple re-entry visa. Is you are going to do the 800,000 deposit in a bank account then that needs to be in the bank I believe 60 days before you go to get your visa. What I did was I applied and ... Read More
Response from Thai consulate re visa O by ThailandHereICome
This is the response I have received from the Thai consulate in Sydney when I applied for the type O visa (90 days stay)"With regards to your visa application, please see below for the comment from the visa officer: Please submit;1. The complete ...
I am from the USA so I do not know about your requirements.But what I did was 1) at the Thai airport I picked up a 30 day visa outside a small card I had to fill out waiting in the migration line that was all that was needed to get the 30 day ... Read More
Non-Immigrant Visa(O) 2023 by rbakker
Hello, I'm going to be going through the process of applying for a Non-Immigrant Visa(O) very soon and I thought I'd create this thread for my questions and hopefully this will also help others.I've done quite a bit of research on this and read a ...
The K-bank branch that I went to also wanted a Thailand phone number and they setup the bank app on my cellphone before I left.I do no know if it was really required or just a service they did for me. I use the cellphone app.So it was good for me. Read More
Family move to Bangkok - rental & work recommendations by SineadNGC
Hi all, My husband has a job in bangkok so we are moving soon with our 2 little ones. I wondered if anyone had any recommendations on the nicest family friendly apartments with a pool & gym (kids pool ideal/kids play area) in Silom, Ploenchit ...
The agency that I used has a website fazwaz.com I am told that the most expensive gradeschool is behind my condo building I am living on asok. Are you thinking about private school.?You can ask the agent's at fazwaz about the schools around and what ... Read More
How do I import my personal medications from the USA via FedEx by Walnutcharles
My Medical insurance in the USA has a online Pharmacy that will mail me my medications in the USA, I have a mail forwarding service that will use FedEx or a carrier you prefer to forwarded my personal medication to me here in Thailand. My health ...
@martinoo2002Can you tell me what import finds you had to pay and to what department, I am wondering if I can go to them and prepay a fee and not get fined. Has anything else happened to you on the ones that they caught?One of my meds in the USA is ... Read More
How do I import my personal medications from the USA via FedEx
My Medical insurance in the USA has a online Pharmacy that will mail me my medications in the USA, I have a mail forwarding service that will use FedEx or a carrier you prefer to forwarded my personal medication to me here in Thailand. My health ... Read More
Just retired and have moved to Bangkok in Asok by Walnutcharles
@JulienHi I am Charles from the USA, I just retired I was living in Northglenn Colorado USA, for over 20 year and have moved to Bangkok in Asok. Looking where to meet people, I am divorced 7 years. I am renting a condo for the next ...
@scbrockI am Bangkok setting in a Irish pub at the end of soi cowboy. This month I hear that there are a lot of Chinese thier and Russians. Read More
New members of the Thailand forum, introduce yourselves here - 2023 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Thailand forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your ...
@Pierre DeklerkHi, I was living in Northglenn Colorado USA, for over 20 years, I moved to Bangkok a few weeks ago. Read More
Just retired and have moved to Bangkok in Asok by Walnutcharles
@JulienHi I am Charles from the USA, I just retired I was living in Northglenn Colorado USA, for over 20 year and have moved to Bangkok in Asok. Looking where to meet people, I am divorced 7 years. I am renting a condo for the next ...
@cgiles49 hi, if Cary wants to talk with me he can give me his email address and I can email him directly. I am not into arguing with others. I just said how and a bit of why i did things the way I did. I was in Thailand over 40 years ago and ... Read More
Just retired and have moved to Bangkok in Asok by Walnutcharles
@JulienHi I am Charles from the USA, I just retired I was living in Northglenn Colorado USA, for over 20 year and have moved to Bangkok in Asok. Looking where to meet people, I am divorced 7 years. I am renting a condo for the next ...
@cgiles49. I am 66 years old. I am using siam legal for my visa stuff and they help me get a bank account too. From some other people getting a bank account setup here is a bit harder than back home. With the siam legal I was able to get ... Read More
Considering Thailand for retirement by prestonberry
Hello, my name is Preston. I am due to retire next June. i have a Friend who married a Thai lady and he is very happy. My three children are all grown up and left home . They have their own family now and no longer need me. I see the land of smiles ...
For me sofar, yes I think Thailand was a good choice for my retirement. My two kids are in college. My marriage ended 7 years ago. I just retired a few months ago. I put my affairs in order for the move. For me their are several reasons. 1) the ... Read More
Just retired and have moved to Bangkok in Asok
@JulienHi I am Charles from the USA, I just retired I was living in Northglenn Colorado USA, for over 20 year and have moved to Bangkok in Asok. Looking where to meet people, I am divorced 7 years. I am renting a condo for the next ... Read More