Help please with returning to Thailand with ultimate goal of annual Visa extension/bank deposit.

[JimmyJ]

US citizen.

 

Was in Thailand with an SETV from mid-November 2019 thru mid February 2020.

 

(Prior to that, only other times in Thailand were July 2018 on SETV, left country after a few weeks for neighboring countries, then returned Visa exempt and extension Sept. to October 2018).

 

Currently in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Planned to return to Chiang Mai in June 2020.

 

I just moved 800k THB equivalent from 1 bank to the bank I intend to use for wiring it to my Bangkok Bank account, and was planning to wire it to Thailand in about a week so it would be in there for over 2 months when I re-enter in June.

 

However, tooth pain began tonight and it's likely I'm going to fly back into CM way ahead of schedule to see a dentist there.

Like perhaps fly back in 2 days to CM.

 

What would you advise?

Visa exempt and an extension of that? 

 

The problem is of course that the 60 days would be ending for the Visa Exempt and its Extension about a week or 2 before my wired funds have seasoned for 2 months.

 

And if I exit Thailand after 60 days there on the Visa Exempt and Extension, that would mean I've spent 5 months  in Thailand since November 2019, making it difficult (?) to re-enter a third time since November 2019.

 

I believe the normal route for the Retirement Extension is once inside Thailand transition to an O Visa and then get the Retirement Extension.

But do my funds have to have already seasoned for 2 months before I can switch from Visa Exempt to the O Visa?

 

Thank you for your input.

[jacko45k]

6 hours ago, JimmyJ said:

But do my funds have to have already seasoned for 2 months before I can switch from Visa Exempt to the O Visa?

No, the seasoning is only required when you apply to extend the O Visa permit.. ie get the 12 month extension. 

[ubonjoe]

There is no requirement for the 800k baht to be in the bank for 2 months before you apply for a 90 day non immigrant visa (category O) entry at immigration. You do need to show proof the funds were transferred from abroad.

Requirements are here for the visa application. https://division1.immigration.go.th/download/1551323081128.pdf

[JimmyJ]

It turned out that I remain in Da Nang.

 

I would like to make sure I have this correct -

 

Putting aside the current Covid crisis (a lot to put aside I realize) and returning to my original plan -

 

I would like to return to Thailand (Chiang Mai) from Vietnam on June 1st as Visa Exempt (good for 30 days).

 

I can if I wish extend the Visa exempt for an additional 30 days.

 

At some point during my return I can deposit 800k THB into my Thai bank account, then go to the IO with proof of the deposit and that it was xferred from the US, and obtain a 90 day non-immigrant O Visa.

 

Is this correct?

 

If it is correct, I will return the USD  800k THB equivalent I was going to wire to Thailand back to the interest bearing account it was in.

 

I'd rather put off wiring it to Thailand until I return there, given how unpredictable everything is currently in Thailand (and the entire world).

 

 

 

[DrJack54]

Jimmy you have it covered. 

Welcome to Thailand.