jbaldwin

The Scottish system is in some ways like the Hong Kong system. They also have three privately owned banks (not a government bank like in most counties) which are able to issue notes.

I have never been ask where I am going or the date when I have got re-entry permit so I cannot see how changes could be a problem.

Jet Airways has just started flying between Bangkok and Delhi and Calcutta. Returns are currently on offer at 11,000 THB and 7,300 plus taxes

A tourist visa is a tourist visa. That said recent posters have remarked on how good Vientiane is now.

Sweet. Fair enough then, Ive got no job here and im 25 and not married, is there any way I can get a visa for more than 60 days? Somebody mentioned an "O" visa?

Cheers!

A non-im "O" class might be available in your home country, especially some of the smaller consulars, but you are very unlikely to be granted one anywhere is Asia

I understand that the normal policy with Thai banks and certainly the policy that Bangkok Bank uses is:

Withdraw within 3 months - no interest paid but no further penellty

Withdraw 3 month to end of term - interest reduced to that on saving accounts (normally 0.75%)

Generally partial withdrawal are not allow

Yes you can have a number of separate deposit and difference maturities dates and take money out penality free when each matures.

If you are thinking about VT, a would strongly recommenation that the walk around VT1 to give an indication of what your purchase is likely to look like in 10 years time. I used to live there as a renter. There is no way I would buy a unit there

Air Asia only flies 737's and A320's. I beleive that the runway at Sumui is too short from either of these to land.

Given the large difference in price I am considering flying AirAsia from Surat Thani. Is there any transport to the airport that connects with the ferry. The AirAsia flight is at 12.30. What time would I need to leave Samui

Cebu Pacific have just stated on the BKK-Manila.

Some provided seem to be having data problems. The BBC shows wide swings daily but Bloomberg quotes seem much more stable. Also trading is very light over the Christmas period so one large order will have a much larger impact on price than when there is normal trading volumes

Where are you plannig to apply?

The GF does not understand the details of Thai immigration law so if to stay here I have to get a different type of visa then this is a detail which goes totally over her head.

We hear a lot of scare stories about the new visa rules. However, I am not aware of anyone being unable to obtain at least a double entry tourist visa in their home country. This means the worse case is that you have to go home every nine month (2*90 day TR then 3*30 day visa free) to be able to live.

I was on a multi-entry non imm "o" issued in Hull, UK on the basis of "visiting friend". Decided that this option might disappear in the future so went for a oneyear extention on the basis of investment - 3 million baht in fixed deposits

Have you checked flight prices on Air Asia from KL to Bali. Often have very good prices. Ferry then bus from Samui to KL takes about 15 hours

If you have a 2,3 or 4 entry tourist visa (they do not issue multiple visa tourist visa) then a 30 day extention is available

If you have a multi entry non-im visa then you will not get a 30 day extention

I would try to apply for a multiple non-immigrant O - visa on basis 'to investigate retirement-options'. Explain (in writing) that you have been travelling already in Thailand but would like to seriously find a suitable place to retire once you will be 50 y.o. next March.

If granted, this allows you over the following 12 months to enter as often as you wish and get every time permit to stay for 90 days. You than can leave Thailand in January, and get upon return a permission to stay till April. Enough time to apply for retirement-Extention in March.

Think it is worthwhile to try, if the non-imm O is not granted, than go for tourist-visa as mentioned.

Basics see below link, but do not try in Penang, perhaps Kuala Lumpur might listen to you.

http://www.thaivisa.com/422.0.html

Axel's plan is a good idea. It is much likely to be sucessful in a consular in the US, Europe (Hull is know to be very helpful) or Australia (eg Brisbane). If a trip to any of these places makes sense in your plans then you have a good change of a one year visa.

Make sure you ask to send in Thai Baht as the receiving Thai bank will give a better exchange rate than the UK banks do.

Did you mean they should send in £s - If the receiving thai bank is to do the conversion?

(Anyway this is presumably advisable if part of the purpose is to have evidence of bringing in foreign funds.)

Sorry, yes I did mean send in £s. As I said currency conversion is Thailand normally gives significantly better rates

Make sure you ask to send in Thai Baht as the receiving Thai bank will give a better exchange rate than the UK banks do.

Did you mean they should send in £s - If the receiving thai bank is to do the conversion?

(Anyway this is presumably advisable if part of the purpose is to have evidence of bringing in foreign funds.)

Over the last few years Visa's rates have got progressively worse. Spread is almost 10% with my Lloyds TSB card. I thought it was a centralised exchange rate for all Visa transactions (with the banks adding their pound of flesh in charges?). Does Nationwide actually get a better rate??? I've done some experimentation with Moneybookers, for transfers within their sphere and it is pretty good, but they're not in Thailand yet!

Basically, whatever you do, it costs a lot, and way more than it should do.

Yes Visa does have a common exchange rate. However, most UK banks make two separate charges for using an ATM overseas. A withdrawal fee (normally around 1.75%) and a foreign excharge loading (normally around 2.5%). The second charge is normally hidden. All you see on a statement is the exchange rate, which is worse than the one charged by Visa. Nationwide makes no charge for either of these and hence the after charges rate you receive is, on average, around 4.25% better than with other banks.

No you cannot get a one year visa for the purpose of "holiday". Tourist visas are granted for this purpose

I use Nationwide. Can withdraw from ATM with no charges and you get wholesale exchange rate. However, the maximum is only £300 per day (they reduced the limit from £500 about a year ago). For larger amount SWIFT transfers are a flat £20. Make sure you ask to send in Thai Baht as the receiving Thai bank will give a better exchange rate than the UK banks do. Money always arrives in my Bangkok Bank account next day.

By far the most inportant thing to consider is the level of fees. You need a clear statement of all charges and fee that will be taken from your investment.

Reports I have seen are that KL is still issuing double entry tourist visa. Each entry will give 60 days plus a 30 day extention granted in Thailand. Hence you have a six month stay in total. You would then be able to do 3 X 30 day visa free stay.

The alternative would be to try to get a one year multi-entry non-im "O". Some US, European (eg Hull) or Australian (eg Brisbane)consulars might grant in your circumstances. Try e-mailing and asking in advance whether they can help you. You are unlikely to be sucessful in getting a non-im visa in Asia.

You will not have a problem at Thai immigration as they generally do not check whether you have a return ticket. However, you are likely to have a problem with the airline. Under Thai law they can be fined for carrying a passenger that does not meet Thai immigration requirements.

It has been finish for about 2 or 3 years. However, it is a dirt road (no tarmac). Not an easy journey in rainy season

These are interesting figures.

I have spent some time in Malaysia and the Philippines.

To me Malaysia seems a cheaper place to live than Thailand but on your figures is 27% more expensive. The Philippines seems about the same or a bit more expensive but your figures show 40% cheaper.

Some of this might be regional differences (in the Philippine I only generally been to tourist areas). Also my spend patterns are not likely to be very similar to locals

Having said all this I think this is as good a set of figures than any. Suggest that all American options (eg Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica) are more expensive than Thailand