DrJack54

There is also a step to enter your email so they can send you OTP.

I just tested it...no problem.

And herein is the catch 22. For a certificate of residence at CW they require a TM47 to obtain the COR. Impossible for those entered visa exempt or tourist visa. The alternative is confirmation of address from embassy. Some embassies do not provide this service. UK,USA,AU...to name 3

In Oz most folk do not live on state pension but rather income streams from things such as Superannuation etc. Different to UK,USA etc. State pension in Oz means "old age pension" and is subject to means test.

Not really. It's set up as auto transfer with my Oz account and WISE. Not reliant on pensions just comes from funds held in Oz account.

Always surprises me why folk have pensions or whatever deposited directly into Thai bank account. I have them deposited into my Oz account and then WISE transfer into my Thai bank account. Am I missing something.

Thinking you should check that out. Any funds in bank account in your name should not be touched upon your demise. The reason I'm currently in process of changing to income method it to have zero funds in my bank account. Plan to transfer the monthly income from my account to Thai partner. Minimal exposure

The bank is irrelevant. He used an agent. Siam Legal currently not offering this service. You could contact another agent. Well know in Bangkok is @ThaiVisaCentre

I'm currently in the process of switching from funds in bank to income method. Decided to start the monthly deposits at time of my most recent extension. Will continue to maintain the 800k in bank till next extension If immigration find issue with the transfers then will use plan B and continue with money in bank method. Thinking the OP should do his first year with funds in bank method and at same time commence the monthly transfers

You skipped over the details of how to do this. The OP must be entering visa exempt or SETV. Either way very difficult to open a Thai bank account. Added note USA embassy does not provide "address verification" means he requires a certificate of residence. Not possible in Bangkok. The OP needs to provide more details for best advice.

Applying for non O in USA does not require funds in a Thai bank, however the subsequent 12 month extension will. To open bank account in Bangkok you require certificate of residence or address verification from your embassy. USA embassy does not provide that. Also CW immigration (Bangkok) will not provide a COR without having done a TM47 (90 day report) You need an agent. Current threads. https://aseannow.com/topic/1262876-can-you-open-a-bank-account-as-a-tourist/

As pointed out above....you need to apply for the non O in the province where you file your TM30. Be that Nonthanburi or CW. You will find opening a bank account difficult especially on visa exempt entry. Thinking 30 days would be cutting it fine. Did you consider obtaining the non O in your own country? https://aseannow.com/topic/1292317-open-thai-bank-account/ https://aseannow.com/topic/1262876-can-you-open-a-bank-account-as-a-tourist/

To apply for non O (marriage) the 400k needs to be in the account on day of application and on date for applying for 12 month extension the funds need to have been in the bank for 2 months. You need to apply with min 15 days remaining on your permission of stay from the visa exempt entry. Which immigration office and do you have a Thai bank account in your name only?

The guy you quoted used an agent. That is how he opened a bank account. Most agents will use Bangkok Bank. That is good option as Bangkok Bank is one of the 3 banks that accept large transfers using WISE.

Your earlier post was informative with good info. CM has continued with previous laws even for inter province stays. Which is ridiculous. Jomitien is just being Jomtien. Hopefully a report of annual extension at CW with list of docs required will be posted.

You may have missed it the guy you quoted used an agent.... " I think now even the agents have opted out. Siam Legal added to their web page that bank account currently not available Here is snippet from web page. "Opening a Bank Account in Bangkok (Service not available at this time) Our service fee is 5,000.00 THB + 7% VAT for opening a Thai savings account in Bangkok. Additional fee such as insurance fee may be required by the bank"

Just one person's opinion... Thinking month out would make it workable plan. If the friend is looking for ongoing stays in Thailand then a non O retirement and subsequent extensions. Would be better option. Be would need to meet the financials and purchase reentry permit. Does he have a Thai bank account in his name only?

CM has never accepted the change in TM30 rules made in June 2020. Jomitien, I'm aware recently placed a sign indicating TM30 required even for annual extension. I don't take notice of those offices. As stated earlier TM30 was not required for my annual extension last Nov 2023. Guess we all need to watch for extension reports.

Does this include CW? Not in my experience

Some immigration offices want a TM30. In your example an updated TM30 should not be required at CW. One thing that has changed at CW is receipt of TM47. Previously not required. My most recent extension was Nov 2023. I did not supply a TM30.

As you correctly point out it's all about "back to back visas" The time spent out of Thailand between visits that the io also looks at.

That is also my understanding (could be wrong) Certainly with eVisa the insurance for non O retirement was required during covid. Folk were advising to obtain insurance for 90 days Thinking the embassy website for UK still incorrectly listed it as a requirement.

Most banks now require a certificate of residence to open Thai bank account. That is possible in some provinces. Not sure re Phuket

Which immigration office (province). In Bangkok would require an agent..

Yes multi is available. Single reentry 1000b Multi reentry 3800b If you have immigration provide form fill in and photo that service is 200b