Hi. I'm currently in the UK but I have a Thai bank account which I opened on a previous trip. Hopefully within the next 6 months I'm looking to return to Thailand on visa exempt basis, do all the necessary paperwork to get married and then apply for a marriage visa in Thailand. What I'm trying to figure out is a back up plan if I run into any difficulties with the bank account. Mainly because I'm conscious that this time I would only have the visa exempt stamp in my passport. If the account is open and active (which I believe it is) then there shouldn't be a problem, I guess. But if there was, what are my options as I would not have an address to return to the UK at that point. Is it possible to travel to say Laos or Vietnam and obtain a non O visa to re-enter Thailand from there, and then use that non O to open a new bank account in Thailand? If this is an option, then what bank evidence could I use in Laos/Vietnam - as I guess I would only have my UK bank account. Would this work? Probably overthinking all of this but I have learnt in Thailand to always look at the 'what ifs'. Many thanks
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is planning to return to Thailand on a visa-exempt basis to get married and apply for a marriage visa. They are concerned about potential issues with their existing Thai bank account, as they will only have a visa-exempt stamp in their passport. They seek advice on alternative plans, such as traveling to Laos or Vietnam to obtain a Non-O visa for re-entry into Thailand and subsequent bank account opening. Several community members suggest various approaches: applying for a Non-O visa in advance, considering a 60-day multi-entry tourist visa, and ensuring necessary documentation and funds are prepared for the marriage and visa application. Additionally, concerns about the validity of the bank account and potential closures due to long absence are discussed.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.