I arrived on an e-visa 60 day Tourist visa at Hua Him May 1 2022 and less than a week later I went to Bangkok Bank and the gentleman told me to get a certificate of residence from Thai immigration main office.. Prachuap KhiriKhan ..not the Immigration office at Blueport. Also he said to get my passport verified by my embassy(USA). I made copies of my passport bio page,entry stamp and arrival card tm6 # and 2 passport photos and my 1 month contract with my hotel and 500 Thai baht and rode out to immigration office. Within 1 hour I left with my certificate of residency. Then I researched getting my passport verified..and didn't really want to send it off in the mail..so the next day I went back to Bangkok Bank and I asked the Lady working there of there was any option. She said I could buy their insurance for 5000 baht ..so I did..figured it would cost similar to use an agent and I could open it THAT DAY. A week later I transferred my 800,000+ baht and now have applied for my non O visa. I also have a Thai car and Motorbike license which takes 2 certificate of residence applications and 1000 baht total...anyway..glad it is all done...I know some will say they would never pay for the insurance...that's fine..I just wanted the account opened so I could proceed..and I was right there with the option to get it done .I hope this info helps someone ,cheers
