Can you switch from a visa-exempt entry to a retirement visa while in Thailand?

For an in-country "change of visa type" from the tourist visa or visa-exempt entry to the initial 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa, you need an already existing Thai bank account with 800,000 THB minimum already sitting in it on the day you apply on Immigration for the "change". Unless your embassy in Bangkok still issues an income affidavit over a minimum of monthly 65,000 THB – then you won’t need the bank account to apply for the “change”.

The problem is: on touristic entries, you cannot get a Thai bank account opened any more (unless you are willing to fork out a large sum of money (up from 60,000 THB!) to agents who are willing and able to get around the law)

That’s why it is recommended to arrive on a 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement Visa you acquired outside of Thailand, as on this visa you can easily get a bank account opened, and will be able to apply for the “Retirement Extension of the Stay Permit” as soon as the deposit has seasoned in your account for 2 months

I got non-o retirement via TR visa 90 days from visa exemption 90 days without leaving Thailand. (THIS CASE OF Korean national)

I arrive march 2nd.Agency getting non o visa then retirement set up with bank account and driving licence.

You can use an agent to convert exemption to O visa but they strongly recommend get the O visa outside Thailand. It's possible but not easy.

Yes, it’s possible and easier than doing it abroad.

Can you get a non O visa from your home country Or is it a non OA visa. It the insurance thing I’m concerned about

Definitely get the 90 day Non-O before coming to Thailand, unless you already have a Thai bank account.

You will get people that reply and tell you it's possible by coming here visa exempt, but you will regret that decision.

It used to be possible to enter without a visa, but that changed over a year ago, when the Thai authorities clamped down on opening bank accounts without long term visas.

People that say you can do it are either out of date, or don't understand as they used an agent. Good luck.

This was how I did it 10 years ago when it was much easier to open a bank account. Now, next to impossible unless you want the horrific charges of an agent!

It is much better to do it from outside then when you go to open a bank account, you are then showing a long term visa.

It certainly is an option you go from visa exempt or tourist visa to a in country Non O based on being over 50.

Except these days it’s almost impossible to open a bank account with no visa or a tourist visa. It can be done with the help of an agent perhaps but rare.

Getting the non O from outside the country and entering with that makes the bank account opening way easier.

If you are from a country that still issues income affidavits then that may not be an issue.