I use the Etrade app now and then.  It also does not allow my phone to take screen shots.  Seems odd that an app can prevent a phone intrinsic function from working.  

2 minutes ago, KhunBENQ said:

No big difference between booths within airport premises and booths in Pattaya?

If a difference of approximately seven (7) % is nothing to you then OK.

I am afraid you compared the wrong columns...

Nope.  Maybe you go to the wrong booths in Pattaya.

1 minute ago, CallumWK said:

 

In the rest of the civilized world power blocks are 110/220v enabled, shows how behind the times the US actually is.

hmm.  yes my laptops power cord/ converter does handle 220 volt, except for the physical interface of the plug in to the wall would need some help. Oh but thanks for the words.  I did just check my power block and it does say it handles 110 or 220 V input.  So I just need the two prong physical connection converter.  Thanks

My buddy has a lot of crypto.  Not sure exactly what exchange or whatever he uses.  But it uses two passwords.  One password is a normal and good to go password meaning nothing is wrong please process the transaction.  The other password means he is in danger, notify authorities, lock the account, etc..

I have some USB powered devices, my phone and my tablet.  What do you recommend for power adapters and/converters?  I can't depend on every place I will be to have hotels with USB ports.. Maybe they will, maybe they won't.

1:  Bring my USA 110v power block and get some Thailand 220 two prong power converter to plug that into?

2: Get some international all in one thing that when the dust clears has a USB port?

Any idea if Target, or Walmart or some other USA store has what would work to bring there?

6 hours ago, The Old Bull said:

Eva Air has lost a lot of my business owing to have to show the credit card the flight was booked with. When my wife travels alone I have to send her on China Airlines because they use 'pay pal' but other than that I find them the best to fly with.

EVA has always required that since I first used them back in 2006.  But I thought they had some tedious way around that by getting a signed letter, or something like that.  It makes little sense to me why they do it.  What if one's credit card expired during a long stay or was lost or stolen?  

Mods please just close this topic.  I only asked for availability of the product and some did provide useful information and I thank them for that.  If somebody wants to debate or discuss the topic of smart water, or make jokes, that is fine.  Have them open a topic about that.  To each their own

On 11/14/2025 at 7:17 AM, newnative said:

      In 15 years here in Pattaya, I've probably moved at least 15 times.  I have 4 different bank accounts and I doubt any of them have my current address.  The frequent moves have not been a problem with Immigration and getting 1 year extensions.  

Really?  I read about immigration visits to wherever one is living, photos of you outside the front of the place, hand drawn maps, etc. Is that for marriage extensions only?   thanks for the post.  

I will be staying at the Hard Rock Hotel for my first three nights.  I have a lot of unity points from the Seminole/Hard Rock casinos in Florida I earned this year and can use them and have used them to pay for 3 nights at the hotel.  I will have a good look around the city.  I have been 15 times before going back to 2003I but have not been there since 2019.  

On 11/14/2025 at 2:44 AM, Upnotover said:

 

It will show a record of every transaction in and out of your account......except, if you don't use the account for a period the bank will consolidate all the transactions in one lump.  This can cause problems when it comes to an annual extension and they need to see month by month compliance with the required amount, as some months may not have a specific entry.  A 3 or 12 month statement is available on the spot at Kasikorn and will solve any potential issues.

 

Great advice about the bank statement months possibly being consolidated.  I will make it a point to tickle the account monthly and maybe make small deposits of 100 baht or whatever just to keep it rolling.

15 hours ago, ericthai said:

simlair?? how do you get that??

No drinking of alcohol compared to no drinking allowed during a few hours. Also, you're talking like there was a change, but there has been no change.

This rule/law has been in place for decades. 

that is why I said similar. Similar can be a long way off from identical and in many ways.  Christ.  Why are so many people here nitpickers?

Have done it many times.  Love it.  I remember years back when so many many of the girls would wear red,  Sitting semi outdoors at the Lek Hotel buffet on a warm December evening was great. The LEK hotel  used to have real turkeys being carved, not turkey sliced press meats was fantastic and enjoyable.

3 hours ago, sungod said:

 The problem is for example yesterday when we went for a late lunch in Bangkok, I wanted to order a bottle of wine and was told I’d have to wait a couple of hours until 5. 
 

I just smiled at the stupidity of it, but imagine if it was a tourist, not a great lasting impression.

For a supposed tourist and holiday location it is crazy.  has the 2 to 5 prohibition always been a law?  My first trip was in 2004 and I have been to several cities and do not recall ever seeing or experiencing any alcohol limits during those hours, be it buying alcohol at a 7 11, eating at scores of restaurants, bars, gogos, etc..

21 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Whatever you do, if you do decide to get a bank account for the 800K deposit, do not use Bangkok Bank.  They have implemented draconian rules (only in Thailand would this happen) and they have locked my 800K up for 4 months after the date I was approved for an extension.  Use another bank - Krungsri is OK and what I am using. Either that or Kasikorn IMO. 

 

But IMO the first thing you need to decide is where do you want to retire to Thailand and where in Thailand - big issues for the retirement extensions - each Immigration Office in a Province is different - as are the banks in each Province. If I was younger and single I would probably not retire to Thailand right now - I would try a few places and other countries first. In Thailand IMO there are only 2 places to live in Thailand and that is in/near Pattaya or Chiang Mai. Bangkok is extremely hard to get around - the BTS is OK but when you then have to walk/taxi it becomes very hot and tiresome.  Phuket is too expensive and full of tourists (10 million a year on a small island) and worst scammers in the country and also extremely hard to get around.  The rest are much less in terms of services and infrastructure for Expats - I would not be here except for my lovely Thai wife - same for 99% of Expats in Isan and other locations. 

 

Try each place for a while - note the smoke in Chiang Mai can get troublesome, but it is also there in Pattaya and everywhere else in the country too - Dec to March.  I would then try Vietnam and Philippines and Malaysia (Penang) and Indonesia (Bali) - 1-2 months at a time would be enough - then decide where.

 

Philippines Malaysia and Indonesia have existing retirement Visa packages - check them out. Thailand's is all over the place and I have a feeling that after the next election things will change again.  Plus Thailand is changing their income tax system for money earned overseas from a remittance-only to a global-basis system - it will take a few years though. Do not commit to Thailand by buying a property for many years - only rent until things become clearer - it could get better and it could get worse.  Until 2015 when the Junta started making changes, Thailand was great - not so much nowadays - and they still impose reporting to Police every 3 months, and none of those other places do that. 

 

I only visited Philippines for a few weeks, but given their consistent and fair dealings with retired Expats for the last 15+ years (compared to Thailand), that is probably where I would try first.  But the new kid on the block is Vietnam and they are making all the right noises - many blokes have moved there from here already - never been there myself as 15 years ago they were 'closed' - they dont have all the Expat services and infrastructure as Thailand or Philippines (yet).  

 

IMO keep visiting places for the next few years before deciding - and for Pete's sake avoid getting hitched up to a local girl for a few years at least.  Do not let them move in with you - they will never leave (willingly) and you will have to walk away - and keep your personal details secret from locals and other Expats alike. 

all good points, thanks.  I been to Thailand 15 times over the years.  I am sure I would pick the Pattaya area.  This trip is just a scope out and getting a bank for the future there in case I do extensions.  Everything else is TBD.  I am well funded capitally, my Social security alone is more than enough.  The only  big catch with Thailand and me at 68 is the health insurance availability and cost.  I am on USA medicare.  Not a single health issue, knock on wood.  

2 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

 

Smartwater is not available in Pattaya. You may find it in Thailand’s larger international supermarkets (like Gourmet Market, Foodland, or Villa Market) in Bangkok, but local searches show no clear listings for Smartwater in Pattaya itself. Most convenience stores there (7‑Eleven, FamilyMart, Big C, Tesco Lotus) stock other bottled water brands such as Singha, Crystal, Nestlé Pure Life, and imported premium waters, but Smartwater doesn’t appear in their current inventories.

 

A1

thank you .  I will try to pick up an equivalent,  There seems to be a few

41 minutes ago, MarcusAurelius said:

 

Thanks 

 

My needs very simple. Just interest income. Very possible I won't need to file until 2027 because when SS hits. 

 

No state tax. I live here.

 

Snail mail ok mai krap?

Highly recommend filing even if you do not own any taxes.  It is generally much better to close things out every year. Sometimes situations pop up later in time where you want or are required to show previous tax returns.  

3 minutes ago, khlongtoey said:

I'm considering another long stay, 6 mo, instead of 3, but don't really want to do any border runs.  Are the options Non-O with EOS and DTV or is there some other way ? 

 

if I were to do the DTV must can I join a Thai School for just 1 month, or would it require > 1 month if the being stamped in for 6 months? 

 

I have a Thai bank account, but hesitate to fund it for the 800k , esp if not committing to EOS indefintely , eg getting the money back out of the Bangkok Bank / Country

 

cheers , KT

That will be challenging.  but you bring up the question of getting the 800kbaht out, should you do a one year extension of stay.  Can somebody weigh in on if they were able to get their 800k out without too much hassle?  I assume it was not a timed account which would have penalties.  Maybe some withdrawal fees.  Would you be able to wire/transfer the money back to your home bank?  Could you use your ATM debit card back home?  Let's say Kasikorn bank is used for the 800k initial deposit for the First extension of stay,

19 minutes ago, MarcusAurelius said:

 

Thanks 

 

My needs very simple. Just interest income. Very possible I won't need to file until 2027 because when SS hits. 

 

No state tax. I live here.

 

Snail mail ok mai krap?

i Krap.  But I would add that turbo tax offers a Free, yes free version if your taxes are extremely simple.  To avoid any physical paper mail issues,  you might take a look at the intuit tubo tax site and consider that.

Domestic flights within Thailand are very inexpensive by almost any standard.  Half of Thailand from Bangkok is easily accessible by VP air con buses in 3 to 6 hours and I enjoy the view.  I do not think any real tourists that afford to go to thailand and have any reasonable finances would care much about free flights.  I don't think free flights would be a big impact to tourist arrivals