DrJack54

The immigration officer wouldn't have a clue. Nothing will change apart from fact that some offices may pull some dirty tricks to force you to use an agent. At 5-5.5k not such a dire option.

The 800k needs to be in bank on day of application for non O retirement. It is not a retirement visa. Are you planning to obtain 12 month extension?

What is code in bankbook? FTT?

Which Thai bank and how do you plan to transfer? WISE

Yes Be aware that is 2 per calendar year

You mean date your extension is expiring. It appears for the very first covid extension some immigration offices were dating start of extension from the day you applied. Subsequent covid extensions from the date your current extension (permit) expired.

No way will covid extensions current date change. July 25 it is.

It's up to 30 days and some offices 45 days for annual extensions such as retirement etc. For extensions such as 30 day extension to tourist visa and covid extensions some offices prefer than done up to couple of weeks early. So you will get your covid extension in couple of weeks. As you want to return to Canada no problem. If not you could have just purchased a rent onwardflight. BTW can you detail flight route and cost. Wouldn't mind a trip back to Canada. Obviously Thai would need a visa so that might rule it out.

Not surprised about being asked to return. Couple of weeks early is common practice. Don't know why they asked for plane ticket. You can leave via land. In any event having a "leave Thailand" ticket is not part of any requirement for a covid extension. Just another immigration office making up their own rules.. Did you happen to mention flight to them first.

You used an embassy letter. Bangkok Bank requires that or residence certificate. Even more strictly now than in 2018. Not all embassies provide that service. Oz being one. A residence certificate in Bangkok requires you to have do a 90 day report. Not possible on TV or visa exempt.

I previously had a Harley springer. Wanted to bring it over (this was about 10 years ago). Anyway I did look into it and seemed a nightmare. Then I ran into a USA guy in random bar. He had transported his Bike from the states and summed it up well... ....."worst thing I ever did, if I had known....." Don't do it

Mark Twain quote: I have spent most of my life worrying about things that have never happened.

You would not require flight out for your border run. Timeframe 2 months would be too tight imo. If you obtained your non O asap upon reenter you still will use up few weeks. With the 90 day non O permit the usual process is to wait till last 30/45 days to apply for extension. Some immigration offices may allow an earlier extension. Certainly an agent could obtain it in shorter timeframe.

Thanks Jerry. Sounds like a horrible fall. As I mentioned earlier....one reason I'm being very conservative is that avoiding a fall at these early stages. Not doing the exercises and I need to address that as of course it's necessary. I'm meant to be making trip to Oz late Aug so hoping that can go ahead. Without stairs!

Can't believe the negativity. Many countries don't even offer visa exempt entry. As for options for retirement, again Thailand has options. IMO would be more simple if they did away with combo method and even income method. Stick 800k in a Thai bank and keep it there. No agent required simple annual process. Happy days. Hells Bells the married guys only need 400k in bank for approx 3 months of the year.

Outline how a bank account is opened in Bangkok with a tourist visa or visa exempt. You seem to indicate that you have done that.

Thanks. That's my current mantra. And happy to read that given your expertise. I'm setting number of walks per day. So currently 4x 100m walks per day. Prior to all this I had noticed old age creeping in. Once tripped over slightly raised platform at home pro. Recently same walking along street with slightly uneven path. Yes I'm being very careful. The rails would not be possible in hallway however I feel quite steady there. Taking it slowly. As mentioned in a previous post .. I can't stress enough for others going through this in future to organize your living space as much as possible to make moving about easy as possible. Progress is incremental but you can feel the improvement in some very simple ways.

That's fine for obtaining the non O at consulate, which gives you a permission of stay of 90 days. For the subsequent 12 month extension you will require the money in bank

The OP asked about changing from a non O-A to a non O without exiting Thailand. Can not be done.

One of the married guys will advise. Recently I have had chats with guy that did a rush marriage here with same pathway that your friend is planning to non O. Was amazed how quickly it was all possible. Edit: just checked my pm,s... "So, married on the 19th May and marriage extension approved on 7th June making 19 days from start to finish"

I did my previous post at same time as your post. He will obtain non O in Thailand having entered on tourist visa. Visa exempt is also possible but he is not even married at this time. To obtain the non O marriage he requires 400k on day of application. The non O grants a 90 day permission of stay. With fund having been in the bank for 2 months he would obtain 12 month extension. Note the non O requires 15+ days remaining on permit. I suggest he enter on tourist visa and obtain 30 day extension to provide time. Apart from all that he should check what he needs for marriage. For example "right to marry" Might be best to obtain in Oz prior to travel. There is marriage and divorce forum and lots of info there.

OP, ubonjoe answer has covered your questions You mention OP being on pension and possibly staying in 2 different locations. If possible it would be best to choose immigration office where he intends to obtain his extension each year. Having stated that he can change his immigration office with a change of address. Personally I would go for the money in bank option. It basically ties up 400k baht for two months + under consideration period each year. So total 3 months. Then can be used. It's not clear if your friend already has a non O marriage. Is he currently in Thailand.

Not possible. Border runs not that difficult now. TP and insurance requirement about to end. Exit and reenter at land border visa exempt. Apply for non O at Thai immigration and subsequent 12 month extension.

You could do that. I did for years. Think limit of using your foreign drivers license is 6 months. However obtaining a 2 yr TDL is a simple process. She can either use her Oz DL to obtain a TDL in name on that Oz license or obtain a license with her Thai ID. Forget notion of international driving license.

OP, you can enter Thailand on a visa exempt or tourist visa and obtain a non O retirement. Your entry visa exempt or tourist visa can be extended by 30 days. You would require 800k in bank in Thai bank account in your name only on the day you apply. You would need to apply for the non O with 15+ days remaining on your permission of stay. One small catch 22 is opening a bank account quickly. An agent can assist with that. Siam Legal being one agent.. The non O gives you a 90 day stay. In the last 30 days of that permit (money having been in bank for 2 months+) obtain a 12 month extension. No insurance requirement. Forget idea of a non O-A.