HarryB

Thanks, insurance is a good tip and I'm trying to crack a deal with my current employer to work remotely (I already do a lot of work from home so why should it matter if my home is Thailand) ???? 

As for the riding, I'll never give that up. I've been riding 30+ years including most of the crazy places such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Italy, Greece etc. Of course it's a risk, but a risk I'm happy to take. Motorcycles are a magnet for idiots, so a lot of those victims are self inflicted (not saying there isn't still risks, but being aware of them is half the battle)

Out of all the places I've been so far (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Krabi, Samui) Samui and Chiang Mai were my favourites, but since I like the beach Samui is winning at the moment. I had a quick look around, it seems like you can get some decent places for under 50000THB/month which is within budget. Having lived in tourist towns previously I'm also aware of the pitfalls of living among a highly transient population. Preference would be to be close but not too close to somewhere familiar.

Cool, work wouldn't be for money more for stimulation ????

I'm just under 50, wife is just over 50 if that helps

Ok I'll ask away and hopefully someone can answer. I'm Australian looking to take a year off somewhere sunny and relaxed and Thailand is the obvious choice since I've been there 1/2 a dozen times and absolutely love it. I'm past the sex/drugs/party/charity/jetski hire stage and am well traveled so aware of most tourist traps

Questions:

1. What type of visa do I need to stay long term?

2. Is their any tricks to getting different types of visas?

3. Based on above how long does that let me stay for (ideally a year or longer would be nice)

4. If less than a year is there implications of rapid exit/entry to renew visa?

5. Any gotchas to renting or buying property?

6. I don't need to work but can I if I decide to?

7. Any visa considerations to allow working in country?

8. Best site to check out long term rental properties and any considerations (bond?)

Hi, I found this site while investigating the logistics of living in Thailand and I was looking for a FAQ section where I might find answers to all the same old questions? Can anyone point me to such a thing? ie who can move there, for how long, what are the limitations on working, buying property, what other considerations etc?

TIA