Can anyone transfer 800,000 THB from abroad for a Thai retirement visa, or does it have to come from my own bank account?

@Miri *********

get non-O or OA back at home, open account within the first month.

@Miri *********

For a start you have to be over fifty years old. If you are, then if you can provide a bank statement showing at least 200,000 THB, equivalent in your own country bank account, then apply for a 3 month non-immigrant 'O' visa in your own country, then when in Thailand you can apply for a bank account & then do a transfer from your own countries bank account of the equivalent of ,800,000 THB to your new Thai account then you can apply for the visa retirement extension. When your in Thailand, go into an immigration office and ask for the requirement process you need to go through to get this extension.

@Miri *********

Contact by email they will answer your questions free of charge

@Miri *********

you need a long-term visa to get a bank account. You need a bank account to get a long term visa. Welcome to Thailand 🙂

Personally I visited about 3 or 4 branches of bkk bank to get my first bank account. They required a notarized copy of my passport from the US embassy as well as other documentation. So that took weeks to sort out.

Bringing a native Thai with you can help as well.

And then there are agents who can get this done for you, for a fee.

@Miri *********

Miri, yes this is a real problem for most people. Easiest way is to find a visa agent and ask them to assist. I think the going rate is 5000 bht, which if it saves you days / weeks of going from branch to branch, queing at each one for up to an hour, and then dealing with another rejection..... a good deal for lots of folks 😂

@Brian **********

You brought 800k TBH worth of cash in another currency into Thailand? Did you declare it? Did they hassle you at the airport?

Technically this is not allowed since the 800k is required to come from overseas which is not true for a cash deposit. But like always, it's up to the office and officer exactly what rules are required.

@Brian **********

And you got issued a Non-O Visa?

@Chris ********************

Not for the initial Non-O Visa in country (unless it's Jomtien), only seasoned for the Extension (usually 2 months)