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@all Thanks for your responses! I am aware of the google wallet and use it. The main benefit of the google wallet is to use virtual cards and not have to give out cc data, even if you use a physical card in the google wallet. Main problem with google wallet remains that a lot of shops (legit massage places for example) do not accept any kind of credit card or charge 3% extra. Sometimes not even 7/11 worked with my google wallet 2 years ago. Will try moreta

Are there currently any E-wallets for foreigners without a thai bank account that can be topped up with wise or other cc without bad exchange rate or other commisions to use prompt pay? Thanks!

I should have mentioned I am currently not in Thailand. Is there a front desk in VT that rents out condos? IMHO they are not renting out in all of the VTs themself but I could be wrong . On the internet at least I could not find any offical offerings. Royal Cliff garden condos also look nice but me but no "official" renting out Imho. Thanks!

I am looking for a one month "test" rental in one of the view Talays or similiar big appartment blocks with 30-50 sm2 . I like it quiet so a high rise with plus a decent sized pool 25M plus for lap swimming. Any good website where I can filter for short term rentals? AirBnb is way overpriced IMHO for what is on offer. Best would be to get a rental contract direct from the company that owns the building or several condos if that exists. I am under the impression a lot of the ads are just to get your adress. Thanks!

IMHO Thailand does not care to tax the German state penions under any visa. Caveat: As long as you do not bring it into the country.

No obligation per se to file in Germany under any Visa as long as you do not have an abode in GER or have German income, however the definition changes as any non foreign income should/could be taxed in Germany like for example capital gains on German shares. It could get very messy and unclear in those cases, however in most cases once you officially declare your departure, the German IRS no longer harasses you. In most cases however you get a questionnaire you must fill out where you are living what are you doing there what are your foreign holdings etc. This being Germany you have to report that you leave the country to the state.

Yes I would also be concerned about showing above 1 M USD wealth or 80K USD income to BOI. I am even more concerned about checking in a hotel and the staff will see my LTR visa so he must be rich. The Thai GF/wife/husband as well will see he is much richer then claimed if she is savy.

Not only require them to file but to pay taxes on their not "foreign income" it gets really messy (definition wise) and complicated. However usually nothing comes off it. I was answering a post of how the LTR could be a "bad" visa tax visa. Those problems would not arise in case of a "normal" visa like O or OA. Other countries may have similar laws if income is exempted under a special arrangement like the LTR visa.

The LTR visa COULD backfire for Germans as German income tax code stipulates that any special treatment (tax exemption) COULD lead to Germany having additional rights to tax some income in Germany. Still a great visa!

Yes multi millions in USD. I know some people that keep a very low profile and live here in Thailand with several millions in the bank. I am not sure how many though, sure as hell there a 1000 times more pattaya expats that live on a shoestring (no offense to those).

I would not like to live in a big city like SG. Malaysia has very limited villa options IMHO, not sure about Panama though. TH is a nice country to live in,even for filthy rich people 😉

I do not agree. My international brokerage account pays way higher interest then my German savings account. So Grumpy is right that for most people 100K in a tradional account that is accepted by BOI loses a lot of interest vs for example a 5 years US bond investment with 3.8%. Regular German account pays 1 to 2% max!

Divorce rates are always way higher in relationships that include people from different cultures. So the risk of divorce is pretty high but as always it is just a statistic.

Cycling in Hua Hin felt safer in Hua Hin then in Germany or Europe in general. Cycling in Banglamung (Pattaya province) backroads was OK but I only had one MTB route . The main roads are pretty dangerous in Banglamung.

Thanks for your post! Correct I switched back to German public system (gesetzlich versichert)just before turning 55. After 55 it becomes very difficult to switch from private insurance to the public system. The public system is worse then the private system when you do want an urgent appointment but then you can always pay the bills yourself. Private insurance is about 500€ per month when being 55 and goes up to 900€ when 85 plus. Public system cost is about 100-300€ depending on your earnings.