Peterw42

Yes, that right, but lots of guys using agents are getting 15 months each time they renew with an agent. So as far as they are concerned you get 15 months, and incorrectly refer to it as a visa. They are the same guys who literally think the agents office, is the immigration office.

A lot of the agents, when you first use them, manage to get you a 3 month O plus 12 month extension all on the same day. The day you get your passport back, its 15 months till next extension.

The extension you get is still a legitimate extension, it just went higher up the chain for approval. There wasn't a "bust" in Phuket, a bogus agent took peoples money and did a runner.

That price probably includes extras like opening a bank account, TM30, etc. But I agree, very expensive.

A lot of condos are listed on Facebook marketplace and groups nowadays.

Can be anything from 10k through to 40k, around 20 is probably the average. Also depends if you want additional things like open a bank account, ongoing 90 day reports etc

Like others have said, there is no infrastructure to support RVs/caravans, there is a reason you dont see any on the road. Plus the weather, its basically very hot/humid in most of Thailand, most of the year. You cant stay in RVs etc without 24hr aircon.

OP, public pools dont really exist , most hotels, condo blocks, moobaans have pools for residents so there is no demand. Any place that is running a business charging for pool access wont be 40 baht, more like 100-200 baht. You may be able to find a condo block you can sneak into but usually involves paying the security guy. 99% of places wont just let you wander in, as others are saying. Why not move somewhere that has a pool, it would ultimately be cheaper than paying for access/transport each day.

Given its a common occurrence in Thailand during wet season, the local mom and pop bike shop will be able to fix things, and it usually doesn't cost much. Avoid the actual dealers as probably costly. Besides the electrical, its usually a good idea to drain and replace oil, petrol etc Its surprising how resilient these small bikes can be, My neighbors bike has been completely underwater twice and back on the road next day.

A general rule of thumb, the closer the branch is to an immigration office, more likely they are used to opening accounts. Also try the major branch for the area, small shopping mall branches usually cant do much.

Then 3 posts later

I think if you looked up "victim blaming" in the dictionary, it would reference this thread. Have a look at the clips, the guy caused the accident !!!! Any bike/rider, no mater what the riders skills, license, helmet etc, would probably be dead or seriously injured.

I think you will find 2s and 3s refers to the number of participants, not an attractiveness scale.

There wont be a fine, how would immigration possibly know you stayed at a friends house unless you tell them.

There is a lot of passive solar products available nowadays, solar exhaust fans to draw heat out of roof space, or draw heat from the house up into the roof space. Set and forget.

What do you consider inexpensive ? I always thought the legal firms were very expensive, like a late model honda click expensive.

Since when do passports get sent to Bangkok for stamping, or take 3 weeks. Do it yourself or via an agent, its done locally and takes a day or so. The only extension that takes a couple of weeks and goes to regional head office for approval is a marriage extension.

What takes 3 weeks ? An agent extension ?

Most new builds or renovations have the pipes hidden in the walls, and connected to the kitchen/bathroom/stormwater drainage, ducting (and draining out to the balcony) is usually only when air-conn is fitted later. I've lived in 4 condos in Thailand and they all had the pipes hidden,

I think you will find the more expensive stud finders can pick-up plastic pipes. but otherwise, cheaper ones can detect the pipes when water is flowing in them, if that helps. Also, you can hear the water flow putting an ear and a glass to the wall.

No agents are "government verified". Yes they work with immigration and can get around the rules, because they are paying to get around the rules, but they are not official government agents

Ahh, so there is some sort of broader conspiracy going on, generations of Chinese are moving to Thailand, living there, then having children, just so the children can buy land for the mother country, give me a break.

If they where born here they are not Chinese, They are Thai

It is if you are a new tourist and heading straight for a residential condo, not realizing it wont have the same facilities as a purpose built and run hotel. Or if you are living in a condo and its a different set of neighbors every 2 weeks, on their once a year party holiday.

Not saying its all or most tourists, but I see it mentioned often enough in facebook groups, forums etc. "has anyone stayed at ABC condo, whats the best condo in a certain area", "looking for a condo for 2 weeks" etc. Enough to be a concern and question why its has become a trend.