I have been doing my Marriage visa in CM for nearly 5 years now following all the rules etc, with 400k in the bank. 

Was just informed it was declined as we took the money out too early. Basically had already been in the bank and statement was done. Already had the appointment at immigration and they accepted statement with all other paperwork. That was two weeks ago and got a late night call from agent saying it was declined and we needed to start again as we had taken the money out, and immigration updated the bank book ( which i have?) and saw we had already taken funds out. I was quick to do it after the interview as i didn't want to lose funds or have it frozen as what is happening with banks here now.

Anyway, agent said i now need to go to Laos to get a Non Imm O visa and return to Thailand asap so as to start the process all over again.

 

Before covid i was going to Savannakhet and getting a one year marriage visa without the 400k in bank.  Do they still do this?

I would prefer to go to Vientiane but not sure if they ever did it there.

 

Any update info on this process would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance

All Visa applications for every Thai consulate in the world is now through the online e Visa web portal. 
You can apply through the thai consulate in Ventianne online. 

 

Sadly for you no Consulate in the world will sell 90 day Non-O visa without proof of funds. That ship sailed when all the consulates went online with the eVisa system 

You need to show proof of funds 400k in a Thai bank account in your name only or the equivalent in your foreign account in your country. they require you upload 3 months worth of bank records but the 400k only needs to be in the account the day you apply.
It works like this. 
You go to Lao, you log into the evisa online web portal, 
you fill out your information, upload proof that you're in the country (visa/entry stamp), 
for your current address you use the hotel you're staying at, for your permanent address you use your address in Thailand, 

 

once you have uploaded all the documents and entered all the data you submit the application, 

 

you'll get a confirmation emailed to you would you take to the thai consulate, during business hours Monday through Friday 9:00 to 11:00 and pay in cash for the Visa. 

 

Then you wait until it's either approved or rejected, if it's approved they will email you a PDF file which you print out because that is your visa.

 

You present that with your passport when you come back into the country. 

That's how it works. 

 

Edited: 

I see you mentioned Chiang Mai. 

 

Just so you're clear there is no actual requirement that you keep the funds in even one day after you have applied for the year extension, an office can request you do that but they cannot make you do that.

OP, check with agent or CM immigration as you may be able to bounce to a border (with border run agent) and obtain a Non O at CM immigration from visa exempt entry

You would need 400k in your Thai bank on day of obtaining the Non O and that would provide a 90 day stamp. 

After the funds seasoned for 2 months obtain your 12 month extension. 

How much does agent charge for hand holding exercise. 

57 minutes ago, Tod Daniels said:

All Visa applications for every Thai consulate in the world is now through the online e Visa web portal. 
You can apply through the thai consulate in Ventianne online. 
You need to show proof of funds 400k in a Thai bank account in your name only or the equivalent in your foreign account in your country. they require you upload 3 months worth of bank records but the 400k only needs to be in the account the day you apply.
It works like this. 
You go to Lao, you log into the evisa online web portal, 
you fill out your information, upload proof that you're in the country (visa/entry stamp), 
for your current address you use the hotel you're staying at, for your permanent address you use your address in Thailand, 

 

once you have uploaded all the documents and entered all the data you submit the application, 

 

you'll get a confirmation emailed to you would you take to the thai consulate, during business hours Monday through Friday 9:00 to 11:00 and pay in cash for the Visa. 

 

Then you wait until it's either approved or rejected, if it's approved they will email you a PDF file which you print out because that is your visa.

 

You present that with your passport when you come back into the country. 

That's how it works. 

 

Edited: 

I see you mentioned Chiang Mai. 

 

Just so you're clear there is no actual requirement that you keep the funds in even one day after you have applied for the year extension, an office can request you do that but they cannot make you do that.

Thanks so much for your reply and the info

As has been pointed out by @DrJack54, another thing you could do would be to just bounce out and back in to get off the current extension and in to a freestamp 60 day visa exempt entry, 
then 
get the 400k in your account, apply at the CM immigration office first for the 90 day Non-O visa for 2000 baht (no seasoning of funds required) 
wait the 15 business days it goes under review there, go back get the Non-O visa and new 90 day stamp inked in, 
then 
wait until your funds are seasoned the 2 months required and apply for the year extension sore for 1900 baht, get the under consideration stamp, 
wait until that date, go back and get the extension inked in, 
then

pull your funds out of you wanted to 

That is totally doable, you could use a border bounce company to get you out and back in the same day at the Chiang Khong border with Lao in Chiang Rai. 

 

Contact Chiang Mai Visa Run, they bounce people at the border almost every day

I'm still having troubles understanding how you managed to run yourself off the rails by pulling the funds out earlier than you should have  😕    

and

why you were paranoid the bank was going to freeze the account < - if they were gonna do that they're have told you when you got the bank letter, 3 month statement and updated your bank book.. 

 

Never the less, best of luck with it..

4 hours ago, JT65 said:

Was just informed it was declined as we took the money out too early. Basically had already been in the bank and statement was done. Already had the appointment at immigration and they accepted statement with all other paperwork. That was two weeks ago and got a late night call from agent saying it was declined and we needed to start again as we had taken the money out, and immigration updated the bank book ( which i have?) and saw we had already taken funds out. I was quick to do it after the interview as i didn't want to lose funds or have it frozen as what is happening with banks here now.

Always recommended leaving the 400K funds in place until the extension is approved.

 

Despite the above advice, I certainly wouldn't do a border bounce to enter VE as a tourist.
I'd apply for and obtain the Non Imm O visa from Vientiane to re-enter as a Non Immigrant.

 

With the current bank shenanigans and updating personal ID you don't want them closing your account because you're classed as a 'tourist'.

OP here is short (recent thread) outlining visa exempt to Non O

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1359876-exempt-to-non-o/

 

Check directly with Immigration. The agent sounds a bit dodgy. He may be trying for an enhanced fee.

Follow what Tod Daniels has told you to do.

On 9/27/2025 at 2:21 PM, Liquorice said:

With the current bank shenanigans and updating personal ID you don't want them closing your account because you're classed as a 'tourist'.

I see "laugh" emojis on this post - but this is happening to people.  Keep in mind, one would need to interact with the bank while on that Tourist-entry to get paperwork for the Non-O Visa stamp.  They will be checking your current permitted-stay stamp.  Why take a chance on things going sideways?  A few days in Laos isn't that bad.

 

As well, I understand the OP's concern, given all the "frozen account" stories happening.  It is not only BKB's "4 months freeze, if you want the immigration letter" scam.  I've put chunks of money in multiple Thai banks, and keep more than usual in cash at home, now.  I remember what happened in Cyprus, and suspect "mule accounts" is just the cover-story.

9 minutes ago, Rob Browder said:

I see "laugh" emojis on this post - but this is happening to people. 

Agreed, but some live the life of a hermit and no idea in reality what's actually happening.