Hi, Im new to the list. Tried to read through old posts to avoid being redundant but there seem to be some conflicting replies. My situation is this: I am USA citizen, just returned to USA from 42 days in Thailand. Visa was 60 day tourist, issued at Thai embassy in Wash. D.C. (free service until March 2011) I wish to return to Thailand. The purpose of my visit was to meet a lady, and we have agreed to marry, and stay in Thailand. She has a respectable job in Rayong. I have around $30,000 USD to bring, but I do not want to tie it up in a bank with a retirement visa. (I am 50 yrs old). My questions are: 1) will Thai embassy issue me another 60 day visa so soon after getting the first one? 2) I think can convert to "O" visa once we marry, yes? 3) "Visa runs" on the 60 day tourist visa (if i can get another) are limited to 15 days? (for extension) Are there better options? 4) I will still need to do "visa runs" every 3 months with "O" visa? Are there better options I'm not seeing? Thanks in advance.

It is possible to get another Tourist Visa.

This can be extended at Immigration for a further 30 days (1,900 Baht).

You could always apply for a 2 or 3 entry Tourist Visa.

When married you can apply for a Multi Entry Non Imm O Visa. This would give up to 15 months but would mean a border run every 90 days.

Also when Married you can apply for a 12 month extension from Immigration then you would not have to leave the country. Only report your address to Immigration every 90 days. (1,900 Baht)

(6) In case of marriage with a Thai lady, the husband who is an alien must have an average annual income of not less than 40,000 baht per month or a money deposit in a local Thai bank of not less than 400,000 baht for the past 2 months for expenses within a year.

You might want to consider starting with an O-A visa (retirement visa) obtained in D.C. With this you don't need to show any money in Thailand (you can show your US money) and it's good for a year, then exit and enter again before the end of the year, and you get another year (must be a MULTIPLE ENTRY O-A visa for that). After that, you could then convert to extensions based on marriage, assuming you are still married ...

Yep. The O-A Visa would be an option.

Details

You might want to consider starting with an O-A visa (retirement visa) obtained in D.C. With this you don't need to show any money in Thailand (you can show your US money) and it's good for a year, then exit and enter again before the end of the year, and you get another year (must be a MULTIPLE ENTRY O-A visa for that). After that, you could then convert to extensions based on marriage, assuming you are still married ...

Very informative, thank you and "Lite beer". Question about the "O-A" visa: From what you say, they will accept a USA bank statement equivalent to 800,000 THB. Will a one-time bank statement at the time of application suffice? Will they expect the funds to be transferred to a Thai bank within a certain period of time? If so, will they check to see if the funds are there, or just check at next application? Thank you in advance.

The visa is issued on basis of information at time of issue and there is no requirement to move funds. To obtain one year extension of stay inside would require funds be in Thailand.

The OA visa also requires a police report and medical form be provided. Check with Embassy or Embassy/MFA staffed Consulates.

The visa is issued on basis of information at time of issue and there is no requirement to move funds. To obtain one year extension of stay inside would require funds be in Thailand.

The OA visa also requires a police report and medical form be provided. Check with Embassy or Embassy/MFA staffed Consulates.

Very good. Thank you. I will check with embassy.

The visa is issued on basis of information at time of issue and there is no requirement to move funds. To obtain one year extension of stay inside would require funds be in Thailand.

The OA visa also requires a police report and medical form be provided. Check with Embassy or Embassy/MFA staffed Consulates.

Very good. Thank you. I will check with embassy.

With regard to the supporting documents, I read through some previous posts and got an answer to the "letter of guarantee" thing by the bank. With regard to the police report and the medical certificate,,,,,are these standard forms that are available thru Thai embassy? If not, do they just want some kind of statement from these places? I'm sure they want something specific. Forgive me if i'm being redundant, I've tried to read through previous posts. If it is available in a previous post, tell me where and I would be happy to look on my own without wasting anyones time. Thanks.

The visa is issued on basis of information at time of issue and there is no requirement to move funds. To obtain one year extension of stay inside would require funds be in Thailand.

The OA visa also requires a police report and medical form be provided. Check with Embassy or Embassy/MFA staffed Consulates.

Very good. Thank you. I will check with embassy.

With regard to the supporting documents, I read through some previous posts and got an answer to the "letter of guarantee" thing by the bank. With regard to the police report and the medical certificate,,,,,are these standard forms that are available thru Thai embassy? If not, do they just want some kind of statement from these places? I'm sure they want something specific. Forgive me if i'm being redundant, I've tried to read through previous posts. If it is available in a previous post, tell me where and I would be happy to look on my own without wasting anyones time. Thanks.

Did some poking around....the medical form is downloadable on US embassy website....still not sure about the criminal background check, if they want local police, or national (FBI)....??? I will contact embassy. Thanks.