1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

IMO, given building house in Thailand I would obtain a Non O with annual extensions.

With reentry permit you can travel as you wish.

Thanks, Been there done that! But l prefer to avoid the Neanderthal Gestapo at my local IO, who are on a power trip and take great pleasure in ••••••• you about and treating you like piece of dirt. But your suggestion might suit the OP better.

Don't put 800000 baht in the bank here with virtually no interest. Use the monthly transfer of 65K instead and put the money in a high earning scheme in your own country. You are losing out on potentially 500,000 baht over 10 years with the correct scheme..

3 minutes ago, Medicine Man said:

. Use the monthly transfer of 65K instead and put the money in a high earning scheme in your own country.

The OP currently has very limited income. (Below 65k per month)

Frankly find his options very limited.

The first extension (without embassy letter) would need to be using money in bank method.

On 5/11/2026 at 9:43 AM, giogio said:

And certainly the loss of interest on the 800k is another issue, for me.

Just to be sure....even at 4% (avg CD's now) a year that is only $1000 a year or $83.33 a month

I mean yes in the US I do get much more on the bulk money but never really blinked at the 800k here because I always thought in a real emergency I have this here (just in case) This is not like a home country where the ER has to treat you. They only stabilize you till you prove how you will pay. This 800k may come in handy one day (yes you may break your visa requirement but you will live) 😉

Of course if you have good health insurance here in Thailand then no worries but in my experience here those worried about the 800k have no health insurance instead saying ...I can fly home if I have a problem .... That in reality is not a option in a real emergency & in Thailand a "real" emergency is an option

Edited May 12May 12 by mania

7 minutes ago, mania said:

This 800k may come in handy one day (yes you may break your visa requirement but you will live)

You sorta skip over that point.

As soon as you use the money in bank as you suggested you would be non compliant with financial requirements.

Also don't agree with the 4% ...

My Oz super fund has averaged over 8% (long term)

The opportunity cost of 800k in Thai bank is significant and as stated not best option to use in emergency.

On 5/12/2026 at 6:28 PM, DrJack54 said:

As soon as you use the money in bank as you suggested you would be non compliant with financial requirements.

True that but in a real emergency like a friend of mine had (stroke) The hospital would not attempt to retrieve the clot till his wife showed them the money even as he was losing ability to speak or move right side of body

In that case financial requirements seem trivial...but yes I get your point too

Edited May 14May 14 by mania

3 minutes ago, mania said:

In that case financial requirements seem trivial...but yes I get your point too

My point is that expats need to be aware of need for back up funds.

I recently was facing 800k back surgery. Those funds cannot come from what you are using for immigration.

IMO the 800k in bank is a scam.

Regarding your friend... A year back I have Oz friend visiting and he had a mini stroke.

Had travel health insurance but even then the hospital wanted 100k up front.

I transferred the funds to the hospital.

13 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

My point is that expats need to be aware of need for back up funds.

Ah ! Agree 101%

Sorry to hear about your friend...It can be a really stressful time for all with that pay first rule when precious seconds are ticking by....It is one thing I wish was different but I am guessing a few spoiled it for all

Edited May 14May 14 by mania

21 hours ago, mania said:

True that but in a real emergency like a friend of mine had (stroke) The hospital would not attempt to retrieve the clot till his wife showed them the money even as he was losing ability to speak or move right side of body.

Was that a government or private hospital?

1 hour ago, SunsetT said:

Was that a government or private hospital?

Private but not one of the bigger more expensive ones. It ended up at 500k baht & his brother was able to send it over & the good news is they did retrieve the clot. So he is doing well now...mostly maybe a bit of stuttering but no paralysis

On 5/15/2026 at 11:11 AM, mania said:

Private but not one of the bigger more expensive ones. It ended up at 500k baht & his brother was able to send it over & the good news is they did retrieve the clot. So he is doing well now...mostly maybe a bit of stuttering but no paralysis

I'm not sure if the demand for prepayment or proof would be demanded from a government hospital in this situation.