FreddieMercury

I’m not sure. They called and asked if it was a non O-A that I wanted. I said yes but that I was waiting to arrange a Thai bank account for funds etc. which is why I’d applied for a TR visa as per the IO telling me to do so. However, they phoned again later and asked for more extensive bank statement information which I sent them. After that I got an email that said “Your visa has been approved.” I’m assuming this will be a TR, or maybe I got them on a good day and it’s something different. Who knows?

Currently in Manila awaiting a tourist visa as per IO telling me last time that I would need a ‘visa in your passport next time’. Gave them all of my supporting documentation yesterday. Two phone calls today looking for further documents re: employment and income etc which I have emailed to them. At least they are being thorough. This will hopefully be my last tourist visa before I get my O-A. Wish me luck.

Patong Immigration is great. Arrive at 8:30am and sit outside. They usually hand out with numbers and call them out at 10am when they open, so you can go have breakfast and come back at 10. Have your paperwork in order, along with your photo and passport and 1900 baht. The staff and volunteers there are very nice.

Can you use KuCoin? Not sure what they are charging but any conversion is going to be pricey.

Thankfully I am almost at the end of all the hoop jumping.

Thank you again for all your advice. I'll let you know how it turns out. I'm sure it will be fine. Most things here seem to work out after a while. (I have a TM30 as well)

Krungsri , SCB and Bangkok Bank told me no bank account without a certificate of residence due "New Rules". I was told that the above was for over 50s planning on retiring. My (under 50) other half is not allowed one unless she has either an Elite visa, an ED visa or a work permit. She doesn't really need one anyway as can use her home account. I'll sort the C of R this week and then open an account with one of them.

When I last arrived into Phuket it was my third entry in on a tourist visa exemption. The IO told me that the next time I came in, I would not be allowed entry unless I had "visa in your passport". Like many on here, I had heard that as long as I arrive my air, there was no limit on the amount of times I can use a waiver. However, after research, the Embassy of Thailand in London states: "Foreigners who enter Thailand under this Tourist Visa Exemption category may only do so for 30 days at one time with a maximum of 3 times in a 6 month period by flight and 2 times a year for overland crossing." https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/publicservice/84256-tourist-visa?page=5d6636cd15e39c3bd00072dd&menu=5f4b6eb3f6ae4b236972c562 Thought that you might find the above interesting. Freddie.

Awesome. Thank you...again!

I'll get a C of R and then check the banks in Central.

Yes, I've been several times that the C of R is a requirement.

I'm headed to the Middle East for this project but I guess I could scoot home if that worked.

Many thanks!

In spite of all the great info on here, I'm still confused how the O visa works, so I'm going to respectfully request to be hand-held through the options. Here's where I'm at. I'm leaving Phuket at the end of April and I'll be away on a project until the end of June. I will have turned 50 years old by then. I don't have a bank account - but I believe that I can get one with a Certificate of Residence on the long-term rental villa that I have. Am I correct in saying that? Now... I don't have a pension, but can deposit 60,000 Baht deposits each month into an account. That's easy. My question is: do I have to start lodging cash into the bank account now, so that there is a history of payments before I apply for the retirement visa? And... Can I apply within Thailand on a tourist visa through say an agent in Phuket? If so, are there any Phuket retirees who can recommend an agent who can perhaps make the bank hoop jumping go away? (I don't really want to tie up 800K for years. At least, that is my understanding of it.) Best regards Freddie.

Thank you. I will do that.

Sorry no. I mean out of Manila airport to an international destination.

Many thanks!

Thank you!

Superb!

Many thanks for the info and the link.

I'm coming back into Phuket on a 60 day tourist visa and will be turning 50 when I'm here. The question is, can I change this to a retirement visa in Thailand? Or do I need to apply outside? Thanks in advance Freddie.

Go to Singapore and get a 60 day tourist visa. (Forget about KL. They have a two month waiting list for visa applications.) As far as I can see on the website, you fill out a form and it's processed on the same day. I came in on my third visa waiver last month: In for 45 plus extension - out for three weeks (done this three times). The IO at Phuket told me that I couldn't come back in again on a waiver and I would need to have a visa in my passport. So while I will try to extend my 45 day for another 30 days down in Patong, which I think should be fine. Next time I'll probably try the embassy in Singapore and stay out until I turn the big five-oh in June and get an O-A.

How would you compare the internet speeds and electrical grid stability in Manila as opposed to say Bangkok. For a YouTuber who needs to upload daily. Cheers Freddie.

My other half is Filipina and she has to have a letter from me to travel anywhere out if Manila. She also has copies of our rental agreement and bank statements. They will always question her before she leaves. I understand the reasons for it but it's annoying sometimes.

I agree. Hua Hin is beautiful for the type of lifestyle you are looking for.