atpeace

Visa free? 2000 baht in Chong Mek which is pricey for weekend trips.

Living in a big city is fun until it just becomes a routine. Having fun with beautiful women is intoxicating and the nightlife is exhilarating. It just became less fun as the years passed and became manic at times. Always chasing the next high becomes harder and harder. I was able to reach incredible highs only to be left trying to reach them again. Issan forces me to see the beaty in my surroundings without seeking the rush of a new exciting outcome that I did in big cities in Thailand. Thailand is a powerful drug and Issan is my in-country plush rehab facility that I may never leave.

I get what you're saying but in most cases I have a good idea of what to expect. As for Ubon, I was wrong and I'm cool with that. Still not Eden but not a bad place to spend a week or two exploring. I like Sisaket much more and try to stay there if I have more time to kill. I love the outdoors and where I live now on the Mekhong is beautiful. Bought a Kayaak last week and slingshot to discourage all the cats and dogs from invading our home. Interesting couple years here. Just have to think outside the box to find happiness.

I doubt most followed their wife and if they do, my guess is that it probably ends poorly. I lived in two cities in Issan the last 15 years and it was my idea. My situation seems to be the norm. You visit Issan with a girl and enjoy the experience and in both situations I introduced the idea of staying in Issan years after the initial visit. I completely get why most wouldn't dream of living in a small Issan town but many do. X-pats come to Thailand and settle down into a city because it is really the only option unless you speak Thai or somehow have a network in Issan. As time passes we meet women and X-pats that live in Issan and then we decide it might be a fun adventure. Nothing is permanent and easy to move out of Issan.

I was almost semi forced to stay there during Covid for a month. Escaped after 1 day to a small town on the Mekhong. Now I go into Ubon every few months for a day or two and I wonder why it was so dreadful that first visit. Wouldn't live there but it isn't the hellish place I thought. Some nice parks and good hotels on the edge of town.

Thanks and that is what I thought. I will have the 12 months of transfers for my November 2024 application and have already scheduled an auto monthly wire of ~65k on the 1st of each month.

Sorry for the misunderstanding - my bad. I was referring to my situation and not the OP's. I will be converting to the income method next year and if something goes wrong, was curious if I could do what the OP's friend is doing now by leaving the country and returning on a tourist visa and the changing to a Non-O. I'm in a semi unique situation because of a divorce 2018. The Ex got all three properties and a little money. I was left with enough money to make it comfortably I thought until my private retirement kicks in at 59 which is 2.5 years away. All cool after that. Hence my questions about the OP. Sorry again for the misunderstanding.

At Ubon Ratchathani . I read the topic header and was thinking that this would be a perfect solution if next year I ran into any issues when converting to the 65k income method. My post was pertaining to my situation and that is where I think the misunderstanding lies.

I'm sure you are both correct and I'm missing something. I know he entered on a tourist visa as I stated and now he wants to change to a Non-O as I stated. To make it simple - If I was denied an extension because of lack of seasoned funds, I could leave the country and return on a tourist visa. Apply for a change of visa and put 800k in the bank that day. I meet the requirements and I assume i would get the "new" Non O. Then in 90 days apply for an extension. I feel like a fool - what am I missing?

I stated just that. If denied, leave the country and return for a Non-O (not an extension). I even stated that you would lose your run of consecutive extensions which may be a problem in the future. I could have been more clear but that is what I stated. Seems too easy but I probably am missing an issue that complicates the process. BTW, thanks for all informative post in regards to Non-O requirements.

Hmmm, so if immigration denies your extension for whatever reason( 800k seasoning, etc), the simple fix is leave the country for a day and reenter on a tourist visa. As long as you have 800k available it seems impossible to not return to Thailand after a short border cross and meet the needs for a Non-0. As long as you're willing to lose the ongoing consecutive visa extensions which might become an issue in the future, then there seems to always be a solution if you have the 800k.

OK - thanks, time to make an immigration visit. It seems at bare minimum the 800k should be reduced to 400k because I'm not applying for a an extension based on bank balance. From reading other posts it does seem you're correct but my immigration seemed pretty lenient. Bank balance requirements weren't enforced other than needing 800k two months prior. At worse I get directions for next year's switch.

Thank- I forgot about the 12 month consecutive transfers. I guess you could transfer the money back to your home country and start the income method first month of your new method. Probably lose 1-2 baht on fees and exchange rate costs but make it up on interest earned in my home country's bank. Not big money but I have too much time to waste on a ~10,000 baht annual saving.

I'm in the same situation and plan on finally doing something this year. My plan is to run down the 1,000,000 I have now down to 400k and then start depositing 65k a month. Theoretically this should work and will run by immigration. If I run into difficulties, I'll move into one my GF condos in Pattaya and go the agent route. Currently in Ubon area and immigration seems to be very helpful so don't anticipate problems. My main issue is that running down the 1,000,000 to 400,000 might take 10 months because I now spend so little living Ubon. GF has her own money and home so I live very well off 50,000 a month here where my enjoyment revolves around activities the don't involve much money. Wonder if immigration might frown on switching to income at the tail end of a visa. So many get out jail options when it come to Thai retirement visas.

That's a tiny goat I personally like the mature ones.

Age and weight? The woman I'm with was 43 kilos/166 cm when we met. She was beautiful in a bikini but think she looks better at 46-49 kg. Hard to imagine her under 40kg.

Nope but I will grant you weed is better than alcohol.

Didn't find them aesthetically pleasing at the time but would love to own this ride. Awesome! Totally Awesome!

Think he stated the opposite of what you're implying? He is concerned as he stated and other posters are as well. As for me, I'm concerned but not losing any sleep over it. I realize my weed smoking creates a certain bias but interested in solutions. The kids I knew in the area last year were hanging out quite often in groups smoking daily. They weren't drinking or taking yaba that I knew of prior to weed legalization. I always believed drug legalization would reduce the carnage illegal drugs cause in society. Now I'm thinking that isn't a solution.

I just didn't like that process. Felt dirty and with a good share of bad luck could end poorly for a tourist. I chose to liquor it up and that was more detrimental to my health. Maybe 1 bowl and 2 shots every evening so I can go with the flow and new regs won't matter as much.

The cheap cannabis has been nice but the rampant teenage usage is probably not beneficial to their mental growth. The kids seem to be able to get good weed for 50-200 baht a gram which makes it almost free. It is new and as time passes it does seem teenagers aren't seeking it out as much in my area but might be wrong.

No idea but I do know Gatorade doesn't have enough salt to meet my needs. Forget the quanity but remember it being about 1/4 tsp per liter. Sponsor isn't too healthy IMO. Too much sugar. If sugar isn't a concern then it doesn't matter. There are salt pills also that are sold on Lozada that many marathon runners use.

Iodized salt (basic table salt) which you buy at 7-Eleven. You can go with sea salt if your feeling goofy but it is just more expensive and does the same thing. The "kiss" principle is the best solution. Table salt is everywhere and throw in a little banana if easy to find. I get blood work done regularly and know what most the numbers imply. Not hard and recommended. Many issues health issues can be found in the blood numbers.

Thanks and she is clueless on a motorbike. She is a city girl and had no need to learn. I'll let her know about the braking technicals.

Going to buy a click with the GF the next few days. She has her own money and I'm just trying to help her out. She only goes short distances and is has only been riding motorbikes for a couple years She is far from a fluid rider and safety is my main concern. She is 59 yo so isn't interested in a flashy scooter. I'm a little younger and have the Aerox ???? I think the 125i is perfect for her 3 kilometer market trip and the rare 20 kilometer trips to friends homes. Figure she can pick one up in Ubon for around 54k. Should she get the combo brake model?