I'm due out to Thailand (from home in the UK) 20th Jan, and my return is 18th March, so within 60 days.

I've done similar length trips in recent years, gaining entry by using tourist visas, and more recently VE while the 60 day entry has been allowed. 

 

This next trip I am wondering to apply for a non o, so I can open a bank account, just to set myself up for longer trips, or even retirement, in the future.

I would qualify for both retirement and spouse, but to gather the proof of funds (£18k?) statements for the retirement is proving a faff. I have money spread over several accounts and all of them are "paperless" accounts. I'm not sure I would have enough time to gather these statements for an application. 

 

So, to apply for the spouse visa would mean proving less (£10k?), which I could do as I have one statement that covers that amount already. 

The only issue would be is that my spouse will be here in the UK, and I wouldn't be "visiting her" in Thailand. 

 

I'm guessing it wouldn't be unheard of for the IO at Suvarnabhumi to ask where my spouse is when I enter, and maybe even try to call her? 

 

Previous Tourist visa applications have come back quite quick, but would applying for any non o be cutting it fine, especially at this time of year? 

 

If the timing is too fine I'll just abandon the idea of having a bank account for another year. 

 

 

 

 

9 minutes ago, Johnlkuk said:

I'm due out to Thailand (from home in the UK) 20th Jan, and my return is 18th March, so within 60 days.

Don't follow the idea, of obtaining the Non O to open bank account. 

You can do that down the track when you actually move to Non O + 12 month extension. 

Entry with a, Non O provides 90 day stamp and plenty of time to open bank account transfer the 400/800k and obtain extension. 

Especially given upcoming trip is under 60 days. 

Just enter visa exempt. 

Do the Non O in the future. IMO

26 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Don't follow the idea, of obtaining the Non O to open bank account......

..... Do the Non O in the future. IMO

 

Thanks, and yes it does make sense to wait. 

 

I did have other ideas to one day buy a motorcycle, apply for a driving license etc, and generally start setting myself up little by little every trip. 

The other reasoning is due to what appear to be tighter rules around opening and operating accounts. I figure do it early before it gets even harder. 

1 minute ago, Johnlkuk said:

The other reasoning is due to what appear to be tighter rules around opening and operating accounts. I figure do it early before it gets even harder. 

The get the idea of chipping away at the list of things you will want for moving to Thailand. 

Even if that's only for part of the year. 

Ignore scaremongering gossip about things becoming more difficult. 

There is currently a rogue bank BBL insisting on unrelated item. 

Avoid that bank. 

Kasikorn is a good option. 

 

Your first TDL will be a 2 year license regardless of tourist or Non O class. 

 

28 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I get the idea of chipping away at the list of things you will want for moving to Thailand. 

Even if that's only for part of the year. 

Ignore scaremongering gossip about things becoming more difficult. 

There is currently a rogue bank BBL insisting on unrelated item. 

Avoid that bank. 

Kasikorn is a good option. 

 

Your first TDL will be a 2 year license regardless of tourist or Non O class. 

 

 

Thanks again Dr Jack, your input is appreciated. 

 

I'll leave it for this trip then, and maybe look into the TDL as something to do while I'm there. 

 

I'm not one for sitting by the pool and will need more to do than just condo renovations. 

 

8 minutes ago, Johnlkuk said:

I'll leave it for this trip then, and maybe look into the TDL as something to do while I'm there. 

That would be possible time wise. 

As I stated you can do both liciences at same time and just photocopy the COR. 

At CW they have a form that has tick box for car 🔲 bike 🔲 . Tick car. 

You receive 2 separate liciences. 

In Oz we have one licience and on back are enforcements motorcycle etc

 

You also need a medical. Often have clinic near transport office. 

Note it's not a clinic more a shop. 200b 

15 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That would be possible time wise. 

As I stated you can do both liciences at same time and just photocopy the COR. 

At CW they have a form that has tick box for car 🔲 bike 🔲 . Tick car. 

You receive 2 separate liciences. 

In Oz we have one licience and on back are enforcements motorcycle etc

 

You also need a medical. Often have clinic near transport office. 

Note it's not a clinic more a shop. 200b 

 

Thanks again. I should probably look into that separately as I feel I shouldn't stray too much from my original post, and I have just realised another reason for wanting a bank account sooner rather than later. 

 

I purchased a condo (Pattaya) a little over 2 years ago. 

Condo fees/water bills wait until I'm there to be paid, no problem, electric I can pay online through Lazada with my UK card, but city taxes (not sure the exact term) seem to be only payable at Pattaya City Hall, unless holding a TH bank account. 

 

As I was unaware I needed to even pay them, my taxes went unpaid until I was there this past Oct, when I then had to pay 2 x years, plus late fees, which IIRC were 40% on top. I did this at City Hall. 

 

If I could do this as soon as I get the bill, from outside of Thailand, it would make my life easier. 

 

Again, maybe I should start another thread in case there's other ways. 

 

 

 

I too did, probably unnecesary, Non-O marriage visa's.

Same reason, opened a bank account, and additionally with all the current scrutiny on frequent VE travel I felt my stays were a bit more legitimate.

This year alone 7 trips, albeit always between home country and Thailand, and always several weeks at home country before coming back, and less then 150 days total in-country, so VE should not have given issues.

 

Now applied for the 1 year extension, followed by multiple re-entry, gives me more peace of mind and no more e-visa's needed.

 

With the current E-visa system, the application is not mucht hassle anyway, just always need to show equivalent of 400K Baht or 40K Baht/month, which I both have.

The 80€ application fee didn't bother me that much!
The old way of having to go to embassy/consular office would probably have made me think twice!

 

And as a little bonus, to me at least, it seems the immigration officers at Suvanabhumi seemed more "courteous", to even more "friendly", when coming in on the visa, as opposed to when I entered on Visa Exempt.
Might also have been lucky with the officers on duty, or my unresistable charm has improved recently😁😁

 

And yes, although not strictly needed until you apply for your extension, having a local bank does come in handy, able to do al sorts of payments (unfortunately including tax), top up pre-paid simcards, paying with QR codes in many places, getting a bit more out of your foreign money as avoiding 250 Baht ATM usages.

 

Just makes life that little bit easier.

 

So, needed, nope, but if it makes you feel more comforteable and you don't mind the extra 80€ (or equivalent in your currency), I'd say go for it!

 

24 minutes ago, pdebuck456 said:

.... the immigration officers at Suvanabhumi seemed more "courteous", to even more "friendly", when coming in on the visa

 

Can I ask if you travelled alone, or with your spouse? 

 

59 minutes ago, Johnlkuk said:

 

Can I ask if you travelled alone, or with your spouse? 

 

If you have a Non O it makes zero difference travelling with wife. 

 

Note: for anyone with Non O (marriage) planning on obtaining 60 day extension to visit wife. 

Wife needs to attend immigration with you. 

20 hours ago, Johnlkuk said:

 

Can I ask if you travelled alone, or with your spouse? 

 

With my wife, but she uses the automatic gates for Thai people, so the officer stamping me in wouldn't know!

Just a quick update as last night I ended up applying for an evisa. 

 

The application process was actually quite awful, the website was so glitchy, freezing and logging me out at every opportunity.

It didn't like a couple of my uploads too, particularly PDF files, so I had to open them on my phone, then screenshot turning them into jpeg, then re-uploading.

I can see hiccups ahead due to this. 

It is one month exactly before my flight, so hopefully enough time, otherwise £60 down the swanny.

 

Anyway, I'll update the thread in case anyone's interested.

The main question it will answer is to see if I can "visit spouse" even though she'll be home in the UK. 

1 hour ago, Johnlkuk said:

Just a quick update as last night I ended up applying for an evisa. 

 

The application process was actually quite awful, the website was so glitchy, freezing and logging me out at every opportunity.

It didn't like a couple of my uploads too, particularly PDF files, so I had to open them on my phone, then screenshot turning them into jpeg, then re-uploading.

I can see hiccups ahead due to this. 

It is one month exactly before my flight, so hopefully enough time, otherwise £60 down the swanny.

 

Anyway, I'll update the thread in case anyone's interested.

The main question it will answer is to see if I can "visit spouse" even though she'll be home in the UK. 

 

They don't care (nor wouldn't know I think) where your spouse is!

I have entered Thailand on a fresh non-O spouse visa while she remained at home in Europe, no issues whatsoever!

Was pretty recently as in a few months ago.

 

30 days before departure schould be OK I guess,  most of my E-visa's were issued within a week or 2, one time it took 3 weeks.

Can't ever recall having glitches with the submitting the application, apart from one time when de website was totally non-responsive, tried the day after and all went smooth.

On 12/21/2025 at 2:09 PM, Johnlkuk said:

Just a quick update as last night I ended up applying for an evisa. 

 

The application process was actually quite awful, the website was so glitchy, freezing and logging me out at every opportunity.

It didn't like a couple of my uploads too, particularly PDF files, so I had to open them on my phone, then screenshot turning them into jpeg, then re-uploading.

I can see hiccups ahead due to this. 

It is one month exactly before my flight, so hopefully enough time, otherwise £60 down the swanny.

 

Anyway, I'll update the thread in case anyone's interested.

The main question it will answer is to see if I can "visit spouse" even though she'll be home in the UK. 

I am a bit surprised, i have done the non O a few times and never had any problem,  maybe a high traffic level at the time. Did you check the PDF's against the file size limit? Often a bit bulky but they can be reduced in size. Rather than messing with your phone, another option is to use PDF editor to save as jpeg. If there is anything unclear about the uploads the UK embassy will email you to clarify, rather than the MFA. I would keep an eye on your junk folder for the time being.

I found the service to be quite quick, my last visa came within 48 hours, but considering the time of year about 10 days may be more realistic. 

If you have provided a family home address in Thailand and the letter from your wife regarding the visit, I  don't see there should be much of a problem. Good luck.