Can I enter Thailand visa exempt and later obtain a Non-O visa in Pattaya?

And on that note we are done..

I was hoping against hope this thread wouldn't devolve into a "how can I open a bank account" or a "this happened to me" train wreck

One last and final time, the rules which allow foreigners to open a bank account at a particular branch are set by that branch's manager, NOT a bank company wide policy.

There is NOTHING in the official rules that states a foreigner can't open an account on a free entry stamp OR a 60 day tourist visa stamp.

You suck it up, get over yourself, and pound the pavement, bank after bank until you find one that will let you do it with documentation you can get a hold of.

Even here in Bangkok it can take almost a doze tries to find one.

You wanna open an account post on a f/b group related to where you live, believe me you're NOT the first foreigner in that city to wanna open a bank account, you'll get recommendations

Thanx one and all for the comments (y)

What these Great People aren't telling you is getting a bank account is a pain in .......

Day 1, as Tod told me, put your big boy pants on and hit the bricks.

Can you get a Tourist Visa to give you 60 (+30) days before you travel?

You certainly could enter on a 30 day visa exempt entry, open a bank account, get the 800K baht transferred in and get a Non-O visa issued in the country.

The problem with your plan is Jomtien (Pattaya) immigrations requires the 800K baht in a thai bank account in your name only be "seasoned" (in the account) for 2 months before you can apply for the 90 day Non-O visa..

Most other offices don't do that, and you can apply for the in country Non-O visa once you get the 800K baht transferred into a thai bank account in your name only