I don't think it's quite that simple or true.

From what I can see, there tend to be three main areas where farangs in Thailand get into financial trouble, as in, losing their money.

1. is romantic relationships, where one's objectivity is/often can be clouded, until it's too late.

2. is real estate transactions where things on the surface appear to be legit, but then the buyer finds out too late that they've been ripped off.

3. is going into business with Thais as business partners, something Thai law almost makes a necessity in many cases, although Americans get a bit of a break on that one because of special legal treatment. Things may seem fine at the outset, but over time, the Thais involved decide they're smarter than you or would do a better job than you, and act accordingly. Given the lack of real law enforcement here along with the same for the civil courts, one's recourse may be virtually none.

Lots of people who are far from being simpletons end up getting abused in these kinds of situations. Which is why, among other things, I don't want to be a real estate owner in Thailand and I certainly don't want to attempt any business venture with Thai partners. Although those dictates can be tempered by the often-given advice here:

Don't invest any money in Thailand that you can't afford to lose. But if you're someone who can afford to lose such investments without harming their financial and personal future, then by all means....

I don't think it's quite that simple or true.

From what I can see, there tend to be three main areas where farangs in Thailand get into financial trouble, as in, losing their money.

1. is romantic relationships, where one's objectivity is/often can be clouded, until it's too late.

2. is real estate transactions where things on the surface appear to be legit, but then the buyer finds out too late that they've been ripped off.

3. is going into business with Thais as business partners, something Thai law almost makes a necessity in many cases, although Americans get a bit of a break on that one because of special legal treatment. Things may seem fine at the outset, but over time, the Thais involved decide they're smarter than you or would do a better job than you, and act accordingly. Given the lack of real law enforcement here along with the same for the civil courts, one's recourse may be virtually none.

Lots of people who are far from being simpletons end up getting abused in these kinds of situations. Which is why, among other things, I don't want to be a real estate owner in Thailand and I certainly don't want to attempt any business venture with Thai partners. Although those dictates can be tempered by the often-given advice here:

Don't invest any money in Thailand that you can't afford to lose. But if you're someone who can afford to lose such investments without harming their financial and personal future, then by all means....

All 3 of those issues are extremely commonly discussed on pretty much any website about Thailand, which presumably someone looking to move here would read.

With that in mind you would need to be a little foolish to be caught out by them.

Many many many hundreds of thousands of farangs buy, rent, lease etc condo's, office, appartments, houses etc etc with no issues. There are crooks out there, but i am personally of the opinion that using common sense, and the moto if it seems to good to be true, it probably is would stand anyone in good stead.

To me, it's pretty simple. The OP should get either a non imm O (not O-A) or an METV before coming. Rent a nice service apt in lower Sukhumvit for a month or two and see how he likes it. Once he gets a feeling one way or the other he can make the arrangements to be able to stay long term.

TH

One financial suggestion to the OP...Check out Charles Schwab Bank. They are unique that they absorb international ATM fees for their depositors.

I won't go into length about them..many threads on this forum..just use the search function.

To me, it's pretty simple. The OP should get either a non imm O (not O-A) or an METV before coming. Rent a nice service apt in lower Sukhumvit for a month or two and see how he likes it. Once he gets a feeling one way or the other he can make the arrangements to be able to stay long term.

TH

My thoughts exactly but I think he would like upper suk more from the sounds of his post.