Yes — the US taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of residence. You must file a US tax return every year. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) can exclude up to USD 132,900 (2026) of earned foreign income but does not apply to Social Security, pension, or passive investment income. Use a US expat tax professional.

FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) must be filed if aggregate foreign financial accounts exceed USD 10,000 at any point during the year. The THB 800,000 Non-OA bank account (roughly USD 22,000–23,000) immediately triggers FBAR. Filing deadline is April 15 (automatic extension to October 15). Filed electronically with FinCEN — separately from your tax return. Non-filing penalties can be significant — confirm the current structure with a tax professional.

The FBI Identity History Summary (USD 18 fee) — not a state police check. It then needs a US apostille from the Department of State (USD 20, 10–12 business days). But that's not enough on its own currently: Thailand only acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention on 30 June 2026 and it doesn't take effect until 28 February 2027. Until then, the apostilled document also needs legalisation at your relevant Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate-General.

Yes — US Social Security is not frozen in Thailand, unlike some other countries' state pensions (the UK's, for example). You continue to receive your benefit, with annual cost-of-living adjustments, while living there. Payments can be direct deposited to a US account and transferred, or potentially directly to a Thai bank. Social Security income remains subject to US income tax — up to 85% of benefits may be taxable depending on your total income.

Yes — US passport holders are eligible. Apply online or at a Thai Embassy/Consulate. The requirement is a 500,000 THB bank balance, not an income test, plus health insurance. It's a 5-year visa, 180 days per entry, with one in-country extension of a further 180 days. Remote work for overseas employers is permitted; work for a Thai employer is not.

Thai banks are FATCA-compliant and will ask for your US SSN or ITIN when opening an account. They may report the account to the IRS. This is routine — it doesn't create additional Thai tax liability on its own, but it does mean the account is visible to the IRS, consistent with your FBAR filing obligation.

No — Medicare doesn't cover overseas treatment. Private US health insurance also typically doesn't cover long-stay overseas healthcare. For the Non-OA, OIC-approved Thai health insurance is mandatory (40,000 THB outpatient + 400,000 THB inpatient minimum, as two separate figures). Thai private hospitals are excellent and significantly cheaper than equivalent US care.

THB 800,000 must be held continuously in the Thai bank account for 3 months before the annual extension. If the balance drops below THB 800,000 at any point during that window, the clock resets. This also immediately triggers FBAR once the equivalent exceeds USD 10,000.

From 1 January 2024, foreign-sourced income remitted to Thailand is taxable for Thai tax residents (180+ days/year). US citizens already taxed on that income by the US face potential double taxation, since the US-Thailand tax treaty is limited and doesn't comprehensively resolve every scenario. Obtain professional advice from someone qualified in both US international tax and Thai tax before moving.

Yes — a condominium unit freehold (49% foreign quota per building; funds must arrive from outside Thailand in foreign currency; FET Certificate from a Thai bank). Land cannot be owned freehold; 30-year registered leases and usufruct are the alternatives for houses and villas. Nominee arrangements are illegal. The FET Certificate wire transfer is a foreign account transaction — make sure it's properly documented for FBAR/FATCA purposes.

Visa-exempt: currently 60 days for air arrivals. Thailand's Cabinet approved cutting this to 30 days on 19 May 2026, but the change was still pending Royal Gazette publication as of 14 August 2026 — so 60 days remains current. Confirm before travel. Neither this nor the tourist visa (60 days plus a 30-day extension) permits working or establishes long-term residence.

Royal Thai Embassy in Washington DC (main); Thai Consulates-General in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, each covering defined US regions. DTV applications can also be submitted online. Confirm current jurisdictions directly with the Embassy before applying.