Finspin

Been in Pattaya now for a month. Would like to say publicly a big thank you to ianguygil for his help and advice. I had all the required paper work that the bank required. Barring one small issue relating to accident insurance which I declined. I now have the required account and funds relating to my retirement visa are in place.

Purchased a 60 day tourist e-visa in London seven weeks ago I arrive in Thailand early August on that visa. assuming that the 60 day visa exempt is operational on 15th July, are there any benefits from presenting it to immigration on arrival, or not ?

When I came to Thailand last year for 3 months, I picked a dtac tourist sim at BKK airport. Few days later I went to dtac shop in Central festival mall and purchased a 3 month package with unlimited data. My condo did have broadband, for a fee, I didn’t use it. my iPad connected to the iPhone and I had untroubled service throughout my stay. Cost was B1100

My first application for a tourist visa in London last year needed bank statements. My second request this year, they didn’t ask. i assume they used my previous bank info.

Thank you everyone who contributed to this thread. I’ve decided to open the account myself, I have a good idea of what a bank needs if it proves to be a nightmare, then I’ll engage the services of an agent. Again thank you for all the advice.

Thank you all for your replies… to enlarge further i arrived in August on 60 day tourist visa, will obtain additional 30 extension at Jomtien. After which I intend to apply for a retirement visa. The financial requirements for the retirement visa I already have in my wise account. I also intend to deposit a monthly amount, likely in excess of 65k per month. so I need a Thai bank account to hold the 800k, which I will not touch. I then need an account for the monthly deposit for my day to day living expenses, rent, food, entertainment etc. as such that account I would access to an app in English for both my iPad and phone, also a physical debit card. The agent has quoted 10k, 12k, and 7k Talking to long term expats, although their stories varied, it’s was in the region of 5.5k some with unwanted insurance, others with not. After challenging the agent ( in a polite manner ) she stated the sums quoted were the bank charges not hers. Thailand banks I’m sure have charges, service fees etc, but I’m sure they are not that high. i just feel that the agent is gilding the lily somewhat in her favour. She is a small outfit and I’m happy to help her earn a living, but not if she is taking the pi$$

Thanks for the info I’ll be heading straight to jomtien upon touchdown. I known this lady agent from previous condo rentals. she was lovely and very helpful when I had an issue on my last visit. I’m getting the feeling she think I’m stupid with more money than sense. again thank you

I’m arriving to Thailand in August on a tourist visa with the intention of obtaining a long term retirement visa. I need a Thai bank account to hold the 800,000k for retirement purposes. I also need a day to day account with online access plus a debit card. Decided to use an agent to assist me. I’m happy to pay her fees ( she needs to make a living ) however she has bounced some numbers at me that cause me some concern. What is the going rate for such a service. Many thanks in advance

There is a nice air conditioned 12 lane bowling alley at the jomtien palm beach resort off beach road. unfortunately there are no leagues. I was joining a mixed group of expats with their Thai wives and girlfriends, who met each Wednesday afternoons for a bit of fun bowling. 120B per game, 40B for shoe hire. I’m looking forward to bringing my bowling balls with me when I return from the Uk in August.

Did my 30 day extension last week. Had all the required paperwork. Went to the reception desk, didn’t like my copies of my passport, entry visa and TM30. Had to go away and.and get new copies. Returned, paperwork checked given ticket, which related to desk ten. 60 persons in front of me which related to a two hour wait. Saw the official who did no more than staple the TM30 into the back of my passport and told me to go back to reception. At reception, a girl looked at my ticket, a short conversation took place with her male colleague. He took the ticket and wrote 1pm on it. Told me to return at that time and that I would be first in the queue. I returned at 12.30 an sat outside the main building. When the doors opened a mad scramble ensued. no facility was made for those who were told to return from the morning. A lovely expat told which desk I was to present myself to. I then basically forced myself in front of other and gave the ticket to the lady officer. She looked at it and told me to sit down. Five minutes later I was all done, having to return the following morning to collect my passport. That process was quick and easy.

Arrived 19/12/23 on 60 day visa, will soon be attending Jomtiem immigration for 30 day’s extension. Have trawled through the visa forums, but after page 13, decided to ask the question. What documents ( and copies of ) do I need to satisfy immigration to grant my 30 extension without any fuss. Many thanks in advance

It’s a good question and got me thinking. I arrive in jomtiem on the 19th from the UK. I’m assuming I will have to book somewhere. Hope wherever I go has a table for the single billy no mates.

Must be a local thing with your GP in the UK. My GP in Hertfordshire issues repeat prescriptions on a 3 month supply basis.

I visited Thailand many years ago with my family, 3 weeks of traveling around, loved the country, scenery, culture, food and weather. About 8 years ago an Ozzie firefighter friend from Adeliade, called Jeff asked me to join him for a trip to Pattaya, saying “ what else are you going to do ?” Since then I’ve been a regular to Pattaya as a total monger and throughly enjoying myself. My last trip in early 2023 got me to thinking about fully retiring in Thailand from the UK. Would I have the self control to live as an expat as opposed to a tourist. The only way to find out is to try it. so in December I’m arriving in Thailand for 3 month stay. I will need to create new routines for myself and resist the obvious temptations that exist. Covid lockdowns in the UK taught me how to be comfortable in my own skin. As I write this, I haven’t left my flat since last Friday , when I had a few beers with some friends at my local. I agree boredom can be awful, in fact can lead to mental illness in extreme cases. if my trip result in me being an idiot, then I will return to the UK, having tried but failing, back to the same old routine that is currently my life. But if successful, I’ll burn all my bridges to return and retire fully. Meet and create new friends and start a new adventure in the latter stages of my life.

Never expected so many replies and some great advice. my previous trips to Pattaya were as a tourist intent on partying. This upcoming trip is to see if I can resist temptation and live an expat. if successful, I’ll return probably in July 24, my expectation is to never return to he UK. So I’ll have to learn to live with what Thailand has to offer. My UK pensions are good and I can afford to Iive over here. However my previous trips have told me that Thailand is a lot more affordable. I can get rid of my car and all the associated expenses. I can get rid of my rented flat and associated expenses such as council tax. Yes there are lots of service costs, internet, utilities, etc but they are a lot lower. I guesstimate my pensions will double in value living in Thailand ( Jomtiem) Again thank you for all your advice