hounddog

I am UK citizen. I opened a savings account with bangkok bank last week using my 90 day non O visa, my passport and my rental contract only. I explained i needed the account so i could use for payment of my pension so i could use to show immigration to obtain an extension based on retirement. I found them helpful and happy to let me open this account. 

I used the bangkok branch in Central Festival shopping mall. I imagine they are used to dealing with these type of requests so i strongly suggest trying in one of these type of locations used to foreigners. FYI i am on Koh Samui.

I dont want to do the marriage extension route for personal reasons. I will try at the Samui immigration office with the retirement extension and see what they say with just a few months income from abroad.

Appreciate all your suggestions.

I have recently arrived, and will be living on Koh Samui, on non O single entry visa 90 day based on marriage. I will start drawing a monthly pension from UK that meets the 65k baht requirement. I will begin transfering this into bangkok bank savings account starting mid october.
My 90 day visa will end 22 dec. Can I apply for a one year extension based on retirement with only 3 months of pension income proof? Will immigration accept this as i obviously cannot show 1 year of income because i just started drawing my pension?
If i cannot use the 65k method for a year then what other options are available to stay long term? I do not want to do the 800k method.
Appreciate all members input who have experience of this situation. Also, are there any other issues I need to be aware of when applying for this extension?

I've just recently dId my non-o 90 day visa at london via the website you mentioned. I DID NOT need to book a hotel or flight to get this visa.

You only need to do this once you get past the pre-approval for the COE. 

Steve, I did it online at https://thaievisa.go.th/. The Thai Embassy in London isn't taking applications in person or by post anymore. You have to do it via the website now.

I just received my NON-O based on marriage from London this week. I started the application on Monday 6th and it arrived on Friday 10th. I never supplied hotel or flight bookings to get it. I am currently awaiting final approval of my COE, where you do have to supply quarantine hotel and flight booking confirmations. But you supply them only after you have been pre-approved for the COE.

When I applied at London for my NON-O, they did request a bank statement showing at least £1,500, wife ID card, copy of her House Registration book, and a signed Declaration Form. I also threw in a hand written letter from the wife requesting they allow to me come to visit her in Thailand.

Hope this helps.

5 hours ago, Ade1g said:

So Consulates can't issue a Non O but the Embassy in London will ?

What documentation did you send copy marriage and all the other normal stuff?

 

Yes. I sent along copies of the following:

UK marriage certificate

Wife thai passport

Wife I'd card

All signed by her and I also signed marriage certificate . 

I also sent along last 3 month bank statement showing income £1,400 per month. But I'm not quite sure this was needed but I sent just in case.

Ubonjoe is right. I got my multi non O based on marriage at Thai Embassy London a few weeks back. I applied by post. £125 plus £10 for return postage. You need to pay by postal order if doing via post. This will cost you another £12.50. Prompt service. Posted Monday and got it back Thursday.

I understand I need proof of residence to apply for the driving license but what is the best option for me? I'm a British National just arrived on a Non O based on marriage to a thai citizen.

From what I have read the COR is no longer issued by Immigration in Chiang Mai and the British Consulate is no longer in operation either. Is this correct? Would I need to apply for COR from the British Embassy in BKK and if so, can it be done by post?

Also, I have seen that you can use a Yellow House Book as well. Is the procedure for getting this in Chiang Mai 'fairly' painless? My local ampur office would be Doi Saket. Does anyone have experience of getting one there?

Any helpful info would be much appreciated.
 

Thanks for the input guys, useful. I have no delusions about making a great deal of money in this project, just supplementary income for the family and my life here.

Just for interest, we'll be growing Dragon fruit and oranges up north on 20 rai. The Dragon fruit seems it could be a good little earner as my wife's friend has something similiar going. Prolific little growers by all accounts. Anyway, I guess time will tell.

Best wishes to you all.

Aitit:

We'll be using organic fertiliser (chicken droppings) for sure, but what about pest control. Snails seem to be the big problem with Dragon fruit. Any ideas?

My wife owns some land which we intend to grow fruit on. I will be supplying the money for material costs etc. My brother-in-law (Thai) and I will be doing the physical work to get it going, i.e. building water tanks, laying water pipes and the planting and care of the trees etc.

We will be keeping proper accounts and when the fruit starts earning money, tax will be paid on it but all monies will be going into my wife's account. I haven't a Thai bank account and do not intend to get one. My wife will be basically supporting me and the family in the future.

I do have a non-immigrant B visa but do I need to have a work permit in this case? How does Thai law view this? Anybody have similar endeavours going? Any problems with the law?