How can I convert a tourist visa to a non-O retirement visa in Thailand?

Yes they do it not n one application, however it is actually 2 visa's that they do, look in your passport you will see the 90 day visa followed by the 12 month visa

@Garrett **********

That is not strictly true, I applied via an agent, and my first visa was for 15 months. A non-O visa obtained overseas is only 90days, which has to be converted to a 12 month visa in Thailand

@Garrett **********

ok thanks ... and do you just have to maintain that same bank balance of 800,000 baht every time you renew?

@Max ************

there is no rule of thumb in Thailand and everything is open to interpretation and regional, I use Buriram immigration and Jomtien immigration and found Buriram extremely helpful and very flexible compared to Jomtien manly due to the work load and stupid people not playing by the rules

@Max ************

yes he can and should start at the 50 day mark to allow for visa approval which takes around 3 weeks depending on the immigration office

@Max ************

true and to get a bank account you generally need 30 days plus on your visa for bank of Bangkok to issue a bank account and statement for your 12 month extension

@Chris ******

Thanks, I'm currently on Non - O dependant one year multiple entry. I applied for this at Suvannakhet about 10 months ago. I will make one more border run to get a new 90 day stamp in a few weeks time. I am hopeful to do the one year extension during this new 90 day period. I want to go with the retirement visa if I can. My wife is currently being treated for cancer so she is in no condition to help me with the spouse requirements. Never a dull moment.

Prior to using Wise, I simply would draw money with debit card at a Kasikorn ATM from my bank in American. Not very economical but it was the only option I had. In these instances, my Kasikorn statement showed cash deposit only. Immigration did not question this. I did this for about 4 years. In the early days the US Embassy would issue guarantees for Immigration, much easier .

Once an account is opened, regardless of your visa status, it will be kept open or is there a standard policy to freeze the account if you don't provide update to date visas for the bank.

@Philip ******

That’s a huge advantage over others that do not . Almost impossible to open bank account on tourist visa these days .

@Matteo **********

you can open the original .pdf for yourself when you click onto number 9 on this Immigration website

@Stephan **********

Thanks for that. As you mentioned, each IO is different. One important aspect regarding the Jomtien IO is those birds require the 800K to be seasoned for the 60 days when you make the initial application for a change to a Non-O.....,...not when you apply for the one- year extension. You would not believe the physical & financial grief that particular point has cost me. I would had simply moved to Phuket to circumvent their cock-eyed rule, but I had just had double total knee replacement and was/am having a troubled extended recovery and serious immobility.

Out of that my doctor requested a total of 180 days medical extension (2 X 90). All Jomtien gave me out of those 2 request was 30 days. Take my lesson to heart and do not dare to get medical work done within their district that would require a medical extension and involve immobility. Rant over.

@Todd ********

Good one... 😁

@Nongnuch *******

Excellent 😀