Can I convert a visa exemption stamp to a retirement visa in Chiang Mai and use the financial combination method?

Don't you already need to get an apartment rental contract set up pretty soon? I'm up for renewal again in a month. Need to look at the list.

It seems to say 2 photos but I'm not sure they ever asked for them? Bkk

For the 90d you need to have at least 15 days left of your stay (I read it as opposite as many senators have bad language, so I first had to extend my visa waiver).

You can indeed enter on a 45 day visa exempt (and/or a 60 day tourist visa) entry and then apply for an in country 90 day Non-O visa based on being over 50.

In Chiang Mai they require you to have a minimum of 21 days left on your current stamp to apply (because the application goes under consideration for 20 days before you go back and get the Non-O visa and a new 90 day stamp inked in.

UNFORTUNATELY you will NOT be able to use "combination method" (part banked money and part incoming monthly transfers to get either the initial 90 day Non-O visa or the year extension.

That's because since the US consulate stopped issuing affidavit of income notary letters back in Dec 2018 to show monthly income you need to transfer in xxx baht each month every month into a thai bank account in your name only for the previous 12 months.

IF you're just comin' in obviously you won't have met that requirement SO your only option is banked money method.

As people correctly pointed out there is no requirement that the 800K baht be "seasoned" any length of time to apply for the initial 90 day Non-O visa (just show it was transferred in from abroad and in your account on the date you apply).

It's the year extension that requires the 800k be in the account for 2 months before you apply, it has to stay in the account for 3 months after you apply and then the balance can't go below 400K baht the rest of the year

You can go that route but it's much easier to get the Non Imm O visa before you enter Thailand.

Do you already have a Thai bank account? You need to have 800,000 baht in the account for two months before you apply. With a visa exempt entry, you're cutting it fine and might not get in within the time period, even with the 30 day extension. If you've already got an account it's no problem, otherwise look at a TR visa which will give you a buffer of 15 days

Yes you can convert a Thailand 30 day visa exemption stamp to a retirement visa in-county but your visa must stay valid at least 15 days before converting. Once once the process is done, you will obtain an initial Non-Immigrant O Visa is valid for 3 months then you can proceed to apply for long-term Non-Immigrant (Retirement) O Visa as well :)