UdonDenver

Sorry if this breaks with protocol, but I have some related questions and this string looked very close to my topic. In April, I will apply at the Thai Consulate in Washington, DC for a non-immigrant OA visa for retirement purposes. I've read all this many times, but have a few remaining logistical questions:

1. I will qualify for the retirement extension based on having more than Bt 800,000 in my bank. But at this point, I do not have a Thai bank account. Along with the other required documents, do I take my USA bank statements (properly certified) showing sufficent deposits in the USA for now? Or does that not work for them?

2. With my newly minted 90 day OA visa (with multiple entries), I'll fly to Chiang Mai on July 1, then open a bank account and rent an apartment. I'll then transfer the necessary funds to my Thai bank account. Presuming I use BKK BK, do they have some residency requirment before I open the account? Since immigration requires the funds to be in an account for 2 months, can I get all this done before my 1st 90 day reporting? Or can I report in 90 days, get an extension, then have the proper aging on my account for the 2nd reporting period? I'm just puzzled by this sequence at this stage.

3. Neither my doctor, nor the police station that will do my background check will have a notary on site. Should I arrange for a notary to meet me at these places, or is that not always necessary. Different law enforcement offices produce various forms of such reports, and I've never seen one notarized - just official looking.

Thanks for your input and assistance.

Ok now I am worried

I have been following all the head lines and news on the flooding and am plaining to head to Bangkok as early as the 2nd and connect with a flight on to Udon. Now that they are saying that it should be safe with there efficient flood prevention system I am worried that I won't make it home at least through Bangkok. Does anyone know how it is to fly into Laos for an American ???

Note and watch closely the developments over 30 OCT - 31 OCT as this will present seasonal high tides that will conflict with the flood drainage efforts in Bangkok. I am in Udon Thani now and it is sunny and dry and all flights are running normally out of UTH. I think one reply confused your "Udon" reference with "Ubon". If during your stay in Udon Thani, Suvarabhumi becomes unserviceable, you can fly to Chiang Mai or Phuket from Udon Thani and try to matriculate outward via those international connections. I moved up my departure from 31 OCT to 29 OCT and hope to get out of BKK then. Overcautious I'm sure but I need to play it safe on my job front.

I now understand you have to be careful in your vacation planning if you include a Laos excursion mid-trip. I flew into BKK and got a 30 day stamp (US Passport). Then 5 days later, crossed into Laos on Friendship Bridge and upon my return the next day got a 14 day stamp. So I lost 11 days without some other adjustment. Not an issue in my case of a 2 week trip, but could be a factor.

My advice - pony up $27 USD and purchase the NOLO PRESS book:

<h3 class="productTitle">Fiancé & Marriage Visas: A Couple's Guide to U.S. Immigration</h3> by Ilona Bray, legal editor

the link:

http://www.nolo.com/product.cfm/ObjectID/E...1B1AB24AB9/118/

Although I am a USA attorney, I do not specialize in immigration law and bought this book to assist with my wife's fiance' visa. There is a 2007 update which includes the latest changes in immigration law. NOLO publishes the Quicken law series. In my opinion, this provides detailed advice (including advice that you hire an attorney) that will assist without any other individuals being accused of aiding and abetting. That said, your future USA attorney may have a legal duty not to advise you on an illegal pathway if you are not already married.

I also agree with the comment that the tourist overstay pathway penalizes those of us who pay careful attention to the rules. It took 11 months following all the rules to obtain our K-1.