Do I need to open a Thai bank account for my Non-O retirement visa instead of using my US Embassy letter?

The rule to meet the financial requirements for a yearly extension based on being over 50 are;

Bank 800K baht in a thai bank account in your name only for 60 days prior to your first application for a yearly extension of stay and for 3 months prior to every subsequent application for a yearly extension of stay,

Use a notarized affidavit of income from abroad letter from your consulate stating you get at least 65K baht a month (or the equivalent) in income from abroad.

OR

Use a combination of banked money (seasoned the requisite amount of time) and the income affidavit from your consulate which totals 800K baht for the year.

OKay, section L does NOT issue visas so we can glean from that fact you got a yearly extension of stay based on being over 50 (retirement).

Also you're good for a year now so I'd say whether you can or can't use the notary of income from abroad letter next year is pretty far down the list of immediate concerns.

I was out at Chaengwattana with two friends who BOTH used the income notary letters from their consulates (one Brit and one American) and neither were questioned about the veracity of the amounts listed on the letters OR asked for proof.

AFAIK; only the Chiang Mai immigration office is sporadically asking people (from the US only) using the income affidavit notary for proof.

Does anyone know if bank statements from the US suffice....This would be showing the deposits itemized as well as the entities they are received from...i.e. Social Security, Private Pension, & other income sources...

Could be rate of exchange problem on income and now need to find balance.

If that would become really so, wow, then many Farangs would face problems!

Anyone have to show any bank statements when go apply for a Non O based on marriage in Savannkhet? I’m looking to get my visa this time off.

Im surprised you were told that After you received your retirement visa.

I guess they use this requirement: (5) Must have an annual earning and funds deposited with a bank totaling no less than Baht

800,000 as of the filing date.

I used the same method, affidavit from the US embassy, last year at the BKK Office - no problem. In December I have to renew. I would also like a bottom line definitive answer if possible. Thanks.

it's 800,000 not 80,000

I hope that is not true for me . that is all i have and i go next week

It’s 800,000฿ for retirement or 400,000฿ for married in a Thai bank.

it would be 800.000 thb ... not 80k - for the bank account -

Which immigration office did you go to?

Not true...but you should have financial proof with you to support your Embassy statement of income, such as bank statements showing monthly income

You should give more details as to where this happened etc...