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Can I maintain my "O" visa by keeping 800,000 THB in my Thai bank account without touching it?

Jun 28, 2025
10 months ago
Jim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello folks, useful answers here, thanks to all who answered, Mods, Admins, Experts and general members with experience. My question is rather simple:

If I get "O" visa based on 800,000 THB in my Thai Bank account, keep that money intact year after year whenever next visa renewal is due, is that OK?

I have other sources of funds to live on.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, you can maintain your "O" visa by keeping 800,000 THB intact in your Thai bank account year after year. Many expats do this by separating their funds into different accounts for better management, ensuring that immigration can easily verify the balance at renewal times. It's crucial to keep the required amount available and comply with immigration documentation, such as bank statements and proof of residency. Extensions of stay are applied for rather than re-issuing the visa.
Mike ******
I've been doing this for nearly 20 years. Despite few changes to my details, Immigration demands the death of a small forest in repeat bits of paper.
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Robert ********
Yes. That’s what most are doing.

You need to keep 400k all year and 800k for 5 months only. But I don’t risk to forget it and loose the extension!
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Donald ******
Can you meet the income requirements? I thought if qualified income no bank deposit, or lower amount ok. 400 000 baht.
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Mary ********
It's fairly straight forward if you have the funds deposited in the bank. We've been here three years - always keep our balance above 400K baht each (Joint account so 800,000 baht) making sure we have
*****
0 baht each (1,600,000 baht) 3 months prior to renewal and 2 months after. Supply bank book, bank statement, bank certification of account letter, lease / TM30 with the ID of the land owner, passport photos and passport and proof of 90 day check in being compliant (at least thats what Hua Hin immigration required 2 weeks ago) and pay 1900 baht. (2000 baht if it is first time I think? ) Took us about an hour from walking in to walking out with our stamp.
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Wannikea *********
@Mary *******
2 months prior and three months after. The initial visa is 2000 baht, extensions are 1900.
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Wannikea *********
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Keith *******
You don't actually renew the visa. Once the 12-months is up it's done. You simply apply for extensions of stay
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Pete *******
Immigration love applications like yours.
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Todd *********
@Pete ******
so do banks
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Todd *********
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Paul *******
I do that. I keep my 800,000 + thb in one bank account and use a second bank account for my day to day use. Works well but Thai bank interest is crap low.
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Jim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
Japan banks are almost 0 inteterest. A least, my bank, refunds 220 THB ATM transactions at Thai ATMs. Sumitomo Bank,
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Jim *******
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Chris *******
Yes that's the safest path.

Never an issue that way.
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Todd *********
I think most people do that. Just leave the 800k untouched. Very easy for immigration to see and understand
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Stuart *********
Many that can afford to do so indeed have separate accounts. One for immigration where they leave the amount untouched and use another account for spending. No issue with that other than the pretty much lack of interest on the 800k. Lucky if you get 1%
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Julian *******
@Stuart ********
I’m with gsb and get 1.9% plus monthly entry to their lottery. On average I win 800 baht per month so that’s decent interest in reality
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Bob **********
@Julian ******
as long as your money is accessible at all times that’ll work
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Julian *******
@Bob *********
it’s accessible and they write a letter for immigration for you
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Julian *******
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Jim *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
Many, like me, have no intention to see any interest accrual, that is a small money anyway.
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Todd *********
@Jim ******
yes. Very small money. But why throw it in the garbage? Not exactly how most people become successful.

Unless you love standing in line at the bank and immigration every year 🤷‍♂️
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Todd *********
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