DrJack54

You can go anytime. Couple of weeks prior to expiry of current permit is common. Your 60 day extension will start from expiry of current permission not from day of application

Many Agents use Bangkok Bank. Fortunately when using WISE for transfers, Bangkok Bank is one of only 3 Thai banks that has limit of 2million baht per transfer. Other banks have 50k limit per transfer.

About 3.5- 4k

Rules that are/should be applied according to Thai immigration law and not determined by some random clerk in a uniform. As posted earlier the law pertaining to TM30 was modified (changed) in June 2020. The particular section is 2.2 I'm aware of "their rules" let's have them apply them uniformly.

https://tm47.immigration.go.th/tm47/#/register/add

Sorry but not going to read whole thread again. You should not have done a TM30 at HH. The new rules (June 2020) mean that you do not need to file a TM30 when you return to your place of residence. However some immigration offices are not abiding to new rule. Think CM is one. Guess everyone needs to be aware of what their own immigration office requires. In recent months I have been to various provinces and today back from Pattaya. Few weeks ago Saigon etc etc. A TM30 is not required when I return to Bangkok.

Make a report. See how it goes.

Please outline what is required to open a bank account currently on visa exempt entry. Simple question. Select any province you wish. A recent genuine first hand experience would be nice. I don't expect one as I'm aware of the requirements

Read threads re opening bank accounts. I posted few above. The point is you and others have lost sight of the OP. Many folks have a plan to enter Thailand visa exempt or tourist visa on pathway to non O retirement and subsequent extension. The critical thing here is time. The very first step is to open bank account. That is not simple on visa exempt entry. Regards agents ....I encourage folk to obtain the non O retirement themselves using their own money and do same for ongoing extensions. To make this a fluid process the use of agent to open bank account can be useful. In fact in Bangkok you cannot even obtain a CR without 90 day report. So embassy letter would be required.. Problem is some embassies do not provide that. Oz being just one.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1262876-can-you-open-a-bank-account-as-a-tourist/ https://aseannow.com/topic/1240378-where-to-open-thai-bank-account-in-bangkok/ https://aseannow.com/topic/1276859-opening-a-bank-account-with-tourist-visa/

What. A first hand account is where someone starts a thread regarding their person experience at opening a bank account and then helps AseanNow by posting their experience. Often in those threads folk post their own experience.

Don't understand your post. Both options available. The choice up to the individual. Prior to METV you could buy a triple entry tourist visa. Only difference is METV was required to be applied for in own country. The triple entry could be obtained in consulates eg Saigon. Border visa exempt entries and hence allowing for border runs (2 per calendar year) is a godsend for many. So what's your compliant? Thailand offers too many options for tourists?

It's very simple. Example links to threads that I posted above a certificate of residence or embassy letter was required. It does not require personal information. It requires first hand account of recent process of opening bank account and the documents that were required. Simple.

I was not referring to tales from friends. I mean recent posted reports on AseanNow re opening bank account with visa exempt entry. Excluding anything to do with purchase of insurance

What docs did the bank require you to provide in order to open bank account on visa exempt entry?

Oh please I assist others personally re bank accounts. Currently and in the past. Since money laundering laws came into play, opening bank account is no longer simple. Yes perhaps a long term rental agreement might be accepted in some places in lieu of residence certificate. Phuket might be one. Certainly won't cut it in many other immigration offices. Read recent threads and learn. Here is one. Avoided Bangkok https://aseannow.com/topic/1267964-certificate-of-residency-for-new-bank-account-jomtien-immigration/ BTW from your previous post in same thread you stated... "Try to get the C of R and the bank account going as soon as possible and start the monthly transfers." So now your implying the certificate of residence is not required. The rest of that same post re "one year retirement visa" I already pointed out the errors.

Still better you post recent reports of ease of opening a bank account Bangkok or elsewhere without certificate of residence or embassy letter. Not stating that's it's impossible (especially with insurance option) Just a factual report would be nice.

Absolute rubbish including Pattaya and Bangkok (especially).... Love the "at least 5 others" for dramatic effect. Please post threads of recent reports.

When. Where.

Exactly. We are the puppets and immigration the puppet masters.

Just another rubbish immigration office not following rules.

For your next one consider Saigon. Depends little bit where you are located in Thailand and also if you qualify visa exempt entry to Vietnam. I had to get eVisa. Simple process.

The immigration officer is wrong. Sadly not uncommon. The reference is to TM30 requirements. That was changed in June 2020. Tell her to read 2.2 of the change in the rules. This thread explains revised requirements. Sadly showing it to her will do nothing. The whole loss of face rubbish. https://aseannow.com/topic/1169664-thai-immigration-announce-changes-to-tm30-reporting/

He won't get lucky with bank account in current times on a visa exempt entry. But true it only just wasting time so no big deal.