SpikeTW

20 hours ago, UKresonant said:

I would contact them well in advance then, to check they have what you expect....the office staff may be surprised to see you, if you just pop-in....

https://www.hsbc.co.th/1/PA_ES_Content_Mgmt/content/BKH2/en/home/PDF/tariff_pfs.pdf

you were right! HSBC called me this am to correct what they said yesterday.. the bank is only for commercial use.. shame.. i had hoped to find a way to transfer money easily and less expensive.. mind due, looking at the pound just now, its best i leave it here for now..

10 minutes ago, UKresonant said:

No retail bank presence in Thailand for HSBC.

Harder to open an account in Thailand these days, more recently,I found it easier to open a Foreign Currency account(2018). If your partner has a Thai Bank Account, she could give you a reference as a trusted customer of the Bank ( apologies I had missed you were not married)

Hmmmm, when i asked a year ago HSBC said they had just closed down in BKK.. but now, without any funfair, they have a bank open there.. https://www.hsbc.co.th/1/2/bkh2/contact-us 

10 minutes ago, jabis said:

Visa exempt entry is 30 (+30 extendable at immigration for 1900baht) while the single entry tourist visa is 60days (+30 extendable at immigration for 1900baht) ???? 

I guess the latter is the answer for you looking at the timetable you posted.

i'm guessing single entry visa means just that, should i pop over to Vietnam i would need another? sorry for all these silly questions 

2 minutes ago, jackdd said:

They are not married, read his first post ????

 

Single entry tourist visa, gives you 60 days on entry, can be extended by another 30 days at an immigration office in Thailand for 1900 THB. 90 days should cover your stay, the extension is easy to do.

blimey, then i'm all set.. i had thought single entry tourist visa was only 30 days.. 

6 minutes ago, UKresonant said:

The O-X is 2x5years but have to have £83000 in a Thai bank, insurance attached is not cheap, and you would need to read the small print to see if it would provide any cover at all! Also the amount that has to remain in the bank.

The O-A Visa is about £22k (in your UK bank), available from London, 1 year Multi then enter, extend and get a multi re-entry permit, for another year, then repeat. Rumored that in may have insurance attached in future, perhaps not the best value & check the small print type of concept. Ok at the moment it would seem.

Then there is the get a Non-O SE marriage visa, go to Thailand extend stay permission (multi-entry permit option) married to Thai National. 40k+THB or equivalent SWIFT transferred to a Thai bank, (even if you are not there) obviously from The last calendar years earnings or from savings, or keep 400K (~£11k) in the bank in Thailand

Elite Visa £14k 5 years 

Elite Visa £58k 20 years 4x5years ME....

ok, loads of options if rich lol.. O-A seems a choice, i didn't understand your comments about insurance; do i need to take out health insurance for visa?

Also, i need to open a bank account; i have a HSBC account here and hear that they have a branch in BKK.. i'm guessing they will need evidence of residence? the new home will get an address soon, what can or do i have to do to get officially stamped as living there? be it 5 months a year..?

hi guys, thank you for speedy reply.. are the extensions easy? for this trip i only need Nov-end of january

Hi all,

looking at the visa options for me, looks like Non-Immigrant 0-x is my only option.. My partner who is from Bangkok and living in UK for 30 years have bought a plot of land in chiangmai and are currently building our home. We plan to spend the UK winters in Thailand and UK summers back in Europe. We are currently not married but am hoping that i can gain the 5 year long stay visa.. it looks like i need to prove i have £20k and an address.. what do you think?