For those making the leap to living in Bangkok full-time — what to sort in the first month.
Apartments on DDproperty.com and FazWaz; serviced apartments easiest for the first month; then transition to unfurnished (cheaper, more freedom).
Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn Bank both relatively straightforward for foreigners; need passport, some proof of address; required for many apps and payment systems.
Get a local Thai SIM with a permanent number (not tourist SIM); required for banking apps, Line, and most Thai digital services.
Learn a few Thai words; get a Grab account; find the nearest BTS station; locate your nearest 7-Eleven (which doubles as bank, pharmacy, and food stop).
Expat Facebook groups (Bangkok Expats, specific neighbourhood groups) are genuinely useful; Internations has regular meetups; co-working spaces have natural networks.
Sort out visa status before committing to a long lease or job — the right visa category depends heavily on work status, retirement age, or study plans, and getting it wrong early causes headaches later.
Rent, transport, and food can vary enormously by neighbourhood choice — decide early whether proximity to BTS/MRT or larger, cheaper space further out matters more for your lifestyle.