unbiasbob

Simba,

I go along with unbiasedbob. I opened an account at Bangkok Bank with nothing but a 30 day entry stamp in my passport. They also offered me a Visa Card, which I foolishly turned down. If you decide on this bank, I would suggest that you also apply for their Bualuang Card. Especially if you plan to keep the account after you leave Thailand. With this card you can do internet banking with them.

Without it all business must be conducted within Thailand, in person. They will not send you a statement or give you information about your account over the phone. You can not even apply for this card once you leave Thailand. At least this has been my experience. Someone else may have some further information to add.

Just for the record, curveblade, I did inquire about internet banking when I opened my account here at the sukhumvit branch of BKK Bank and was told I was not eligible. That was in early July '04

Only problem with the investor visa is your tieing up 3 mil baht when you could get a better return on it invested elsewhere........i can appreciate it can be difficult to obtain a Non Imm visa in some parts of the world......we are lucky in the Uk in having the Hull office.

yes indeed that is a huge problen unless you are a millionaire or something

also how do you open a thai bank account? what id do you need?

Might be some disagreement on this one ........i opened mine on the back of a tourist visa and my passport as I.D...........seems to vary from bank to bank.......some require a Non Imm visa to open an account. Anyone else?

Bangkok Bank is cool to open a savings acct with an ATM card using passport as ID with tourist visa. Other banks are known to give problems opening accts without working papes. BKK Bank opened one for me on a tourist visa in July.

In regards to the "kee wee" ###### who over stayed for two years, I just hope they don't nab you at the airport, throw you in jail and lose the key. Rules of the land are made so that people like you can flaut them, then ask for somebody else to help out with your dilema and stuff it up for other law abiding people. [/color]

if that dudes story is true then it just aint right, I tell you, and you wonder why imm has crackdowns

In my experience it is very difficult to get a non-emigrant visa. Being engaged is by no means grounds for one. The easiest type of visa is a “special investor” visa. If you have 3million Baht to wire to your savings account in Thailand into a government-owned Bank (not a private bank, such as Bangkok Bank, but a government owned one, such as Thai Military, for example), Immigration will grant you a one-year visa. You can even change a tourist visa in this case, but this can only be done by immigration in Bangkok.

You can also come with a tourist visa (60 days) and it can be extended for 30 days first time and 14 days second time at the local immigration in Chiang mai, where you plan to stay. Then, you’d have to go out of Thailand and get another visa like this and do it all over again. This ma also give you a better idea of your girlfriend and once you get married, you can get a non-immigrant visa type “O” outside of Thailand by presenting your marriage certificate. Once I Thailand, you can get a one-year visa “to support Thai wife”, but you’ll need to deposit 800,000 baht in any local Bank.

Hope this helps.

That is some very sound advice from a newbie, good job. That special investor visa is easy in every respect that you mention so long as you have the 3 mil baht kicking around. The nice thing about that visa is being able to convert a tourist to that visa right in bkk. no leaving the country

You can get your 30 day ext in Samui but not 60 day no matter if 2 entry. you must cross a border.

What Country - anywhere - blacklists someone "for 100 years"??

It all sounds ridiculous to me.

Amen to that, dude

unbiasbob, "that is one tasty burger" avatar

Yes Huski, it certainly is. That's a Big Kahuna Burger Av.

I must say that all of the talk about being well dressed and respectful should just be a given when dealing with immigration. Why would anyone in right mind do otherwise. Who can dig that?

What Country - anywhere - blacklists someone "for 100 years"??

It all sounds ridiculous to me.

Amen to that, dude

Now that's what I call "living off the lay of the land" dig?

I've read most of the messages on the original thread. It has got huge....so here's my little bit.

I've been a LOS guy since 1990. Every trip since 1990 my daily spending is about €150. Includes everything except the hotel. I reckon if I am ever lucky enough to live in LOS on a permanent basis my daily spend will not drop. Maybe because I'm a "butterfly". I couln't see myself staying with one Thai bird.

That is a decent, adequate, no frills budget that's doable. This is a consumer society. I mean just look around you. All the crap being peddled everywhere. It is very hard not to plunk down some baht here, some baht there. Power to you man, you help make Thailand great. If people want super dirt cheap, there is Cambo where you can cut your expenses in half

Well why don't we continue this discussion and I will tell you about an aussie guy living in Cambo. His rent is 2500 baht all inclusive at a guest house. He lives in a tiny windowless room similar to a prison cell in size, if that. His expenses consist of the occassional short time, 120 baht, and transport consisting of a 5 baht cart ride. He doesn't need Starbucks or anything western. I'm 100% sure this guy does not spend 10,000 baht in a month. So for all you people who think you're living on the cheap here in LOS, be it 20k or 30k, eat your heart out because cambo provides the cheapest of living as this guy proves. And he doesn't have to make visa runs

It certainly is one full o' holes story. Gimme a break

If he's for real Bobby, you could use him as a consultant to solve your problems about a longer stay visa. How he achieved it all once he reached 18 will be worth hearing.

Yes Dr, I am certain that he could solve all of my visa problems given his vast experience

lovethailandlongtime, the police nor immigration will not get involved as it is too small an amount, if u feel the bike owner is justified in claiming such a large amount then pay him when u get back, if u dont want to pay him then try not to meet him again.

i just bought all new body panels for one of my bikes, ok its only a 125cc, but with parts labour and stickers it was less than 5,000baht, thats from front mudgaurd upto light casing..the whole lot..

This may be some of the best advice in this thread. What are the chances that immigration and police will be involved in this matter? probably not great. The moto guy was likely ripping you anyhow

This thread seems to have wandered off the point somewhat

May I remind you of the original posting

Sure it have.

I keep to my first reply if single and living alone. Then you can do it for 30K Baht.

But not much left over for night entertaiment and no imported food.

Girlfriend/wife/boyfriend,whatever, own car and motorbike,house and more entertainment included, then I will guess you need at least 65-80K.

We can agree on that

Some people cite a price but fail to say where. The current supermarket price for just about everything available in the USA at probably the most expensive shopping area (Orange County, CA) is available http://www.albertsons.com/store/?market=11

Remember to compare size sold as well as price. And just wish you had the selection here.

great job, lop, now we can truly make proper comparison

after you get an apartment and buy all the basics like frig, tv, etc. it doesn't cost much to live in thailand.

I live on about 20k baht a month. which is about 1/5 the amount I spent when I lived in the usa.

my studio apartment costs me about 7k baht a month. eletricity, water, phone - all included.

I have a dedicated phone line for internet, a playstation2, and cable tv.

I cook a lot at home, but I go out now and then to eat.

I take the 4 baht buses most of the time to get around town. there are times when I wait a while, but then, I'm in no hurry to get anywhere. I just look at the "scenery", and smell the roses when I do. hehehe.

currently, a typical day for me includes going to the gym for a workout, maybe seeing a movie, drinking a cup of java at starbucks/reading the paper, window shopping at the malls, bowling, thai massage sometimes, and of course, hanging out with friends.

some people tell me I live a boring life, but I'm content with it for now.

the best thing I like about my routine is that I don't work. so, I wake up when I wake up, and I sleep when I get tired. no stress.

yes, if I work and make more money, I can enjoy life a little more. I could get a bigger house, the latest car, the newest cell phone, go eat at the best restaurants. ..but for some reason, I don't value those things. ...I value a long happy life more.

to me, the more you want, the more you suffer.

the above is what I get for 20k baht a month.

sometimes I feel like I want to spend more, it's normal. but then, I look around me, and see all the people who are less fortunate than me, and realize I shouldn't be complaining.

check out the following website for a study done regarding retirement vs. longevity.

www.geocities.com/dtmcbride/health/retirement_age.html

just sharing my opinion. so, if it's not your cup of tea, don't get upset. everybody needs to make their own decisions in life.

happy memories...

With your typical day expenses add up to a lot more than 20k. starbucks and bowling alone would have to run you 6k a month. 20k a month cant be done when your pad is 7k unless you do nothing but sit around and eat rice all day

It certainly is one full o' holes story. Gimme a break

It's really best to just maintain homes in both countries so you can enjoy the best of both worlds. You'll find yourself in far fewer stimulating cost of living debates as well.

that's exactly what I do

For me in the USA, every item you mentioned is as cheap or cheaper. Gas, food, drink, movies and pool. It may not be done in the same way but it is cheaper

Relatives in USA tell me so every time they visit home

Some things are cheaper and some more expensive. Beer and Liquor are far more expensive here than in the USA

This things Is so cheap here compare to home that if it was like this home I think every citizen had been an alcoholic.

Also cars,motorbikes,electronics and sports equipment are near 50% of the price home.

Eks. The Honda Jazz top model. Is it around 660K here. Home it is 1.1 million and its similar with every other car brand, exept Benz and BMW.

Enter a Supermarket in the states and you will have 100 times the variety at a fraction of the cost of a Tesco Lotus. If I based living in Thailand on the cost of groceries, electronics and automobiles, I'd be living in the states. I certainly am not here for the "cheap" Tesco, Big C, Carre Four, Food Land and Tops items nor the variety. I wish I could have the cheapness of the US and the mass variety of goods over here. Unfortunately it is not the case so I shell out tons extra cash to get what I want. I see the concept of a six pack of beer has just recently hit store shelves, how amazing. I wonder when you'll see 12-packs, 18's, suits (24's), and 30's. I know 1 thing, thailand does not like imported beer sold here. That beer's got to be brewed here or it'll cost you over 100 baht in the store. And you better be buying that rot gut liquor made in LOS cause imports will cost you huge. Ever want to buy a large pack of some food product? one size fits all. You can't even go into a supermarket and find something like a bottle of pickles or a jar of salsa. When you do, it'll cost you large. But dont worry, you can buy all those lovely fish chips in the bag you need. I think 1/2 of tesco is boxes of that crap. In short, cheapness is no reason to live here, at least not on said items. There are a multitude of reasons to be here that not being one of them

Lopburi3

Well back from the Swim Club and today I stopped at Lotus for some small shopping and a " Burger instead of noodles"

The burger set was 80Baht. Home it is around 400 baht and up.

I also bought:

Bread 25 baht. Home it is from 70Baht up.

Milk 30 baht. Home 60 baht.

Yoghurt 10 Baht. Home 50 baht

Jam 30 baht. Home 80 baht.

Cornflakes 46 baht. Home 125 baht.

6pack Coke Light boxes 67 Baht.Home 400 Baht.

6pack Singha boxes 147 baht. Home 540 Baht.

Elle (magazin for Mrs.) 80 baht. Home 360 baht.

Potatochips 17 Baht. Home 120 Baht.

Well I shall admit that 10 times was overdue, but I feel safe if I keep it to around 5times.

Every single item you mentioned is cheaper in the US of A

I was in thailand for a holiday 4 months ago..The holiday was going fine and i was staying with a girl i had prevously met in LOS the time before..Two days to go until my flight home to the uk and i have an accident on a hired moto,anyway i managed to break my foot and hand in the fall.After seeing the doctor and getting my wounds dressed i telephoned the owner of the moto..He actually seemed quite calm about the situation but came up with a figure for the damage which was far to high.we bartered for a time,me explaining that this was the end of my holiday and that i only had 15000 baht left(he wanted 55000)..After a while of trying to expain this to him and him not really understanding i decided the best course of action was to take the matter to the tourist police,which we did....down at the station the mood was easier as i had somebody to translate for me..after some more haggling we agreed that i shoould pay him 15000 now and he would give me his bank account details and on me returning to blighty i would pay him the other 15000..I signed a brief agreement and gave hime the 15000 i had on me and we shook hands...

ok this is where the problem began...after arriving at heathrow i borded the underground to my house(on crutches and with broken hand this was difficult in rush hour london with all the luggage i was carrying)anyway i ended up losing the bag with the bank account details in...I reported this to the transport police tube office ect...I contacted the thai girl i am friendly with and she told me not to worry about it....i tried to get her to find 'man for moto'but she said she couldnt....

The problem i have is that this is a very petty situation(and one which i could easily afford not to be in)and from reading some of the mb's these are the kind of things which can cause strythe at the airport on arrival.Im no ip off merchant and will pay this 'man for moto'as soon as i arrive in the LOS.

Does anyone on here know the likelyhood of problems arising from this???

This is a guess but I doubt you would encounter any problems. Don't take that to the bank though

Loong lives on the dirt cheap. I don't think that more than 10% of farangs could get by on 30k/month

Lopburi3

It will take some time, but I can start now before I’m away to the swim club here in Phuket for a couple of hours.

The lunch today include ice tea, and yes she is cheap the local lady, have known here for years, clean and always fresh food. 25 baht. Home you get a coke and hot dog for. Maybe 240 Baht. That`s not food in the long run if you ask me!

Entrance swim club that’s 40Baht if you not are a member. Home the same entrance cost minimum 200 Baht, but usually more near 300...

I take with me a bottle with Gatorade (sports drink) to 20, - Baht. Home it was this summer 150 baht.

I use the car to the swim club. It’s less than 10Km t/r but let say I use one litre with gasoline, I filled up yesterday, but really forget, is it 21Baht now? Well home it was 66 Baht this summer, but they said it should increase!

I guess and usually when back from the swim club I stop at a well-known noodle restaurant and the plate I usually eat with something to drink is 50 Baht. I am full after that simple but good meal. Home it will at least cost 300-400Baht if they had it on the menu.

In the evening my better half is home from work and Thursdays we often goes to the cinema. Two people 240 Baht. Home 900-1200 for two. (Depends on location)

Last Saturday we shared a dinner with 8 friends on "Lemon Grass" restaurant in Phuket.

The bill was on me this time and the total was 2200, - Baht. A Few beers, sodawater were the drinks.

Home this summer we celebrated the anniversary to a family member out on medium good outdoor restaurant and we was total 10 people. After the party I calculated the price pr. person and it was 1800Baht. The drinks was soft drinks, a few beers and soda water

Okay off for a swim. Coming with more later.

For me in the USA, every item you mentioned is as cheap or cheaper. Gas, food, drink, movies and pool. It may not be done in the same way but it is cheaper

Been trying to think of things that are 5-10 times cheaper here, heres a few of my thoughts

Labour, cigaretts, sang som,rice, any fruit in season, eating in reateraunts(not falang ones), lorry loads of earth ,fake clothes,watches ect, copy DVD's/games, prostitutes (or would that come under labour ), water thats about all I can think of for now.

Things that are cheaper but not 5-10 times

Gas, electricity, housing, petrol, just about everything not mentoned above or below.

Things more expensive or about the same,

Potatos, cheese, european cars, cows, milk, butter, mobile phones, beer(when bought in bars) women (when married not rented), internet, lamb, any imported food/drink ect

It obviously depends on what part of "falangland" you are from and where in thailand you live, Its cheaper to live here, but I dont think 5-10 times, and belive me I live quite cheap. The ave wage of about 7000bht a month sounds about right to me, I know very few thais that are on 25 plus

All I can say about most of those cheaper items is you get what you pay for