What are the best options for sending money for a NON-O retirement visa and getting a Thai phone number for banking apps?

Use Whatsapp registered on a UK number using thai data will allow you UK number to ring if people call you using whats app in UK also messages it works great ,no need to mess about with other apps also if in Thailand and you need to ring any number not on WhatsApp simply register in Thailand with Mytello app you can ring any number world wide for peonies.

I'm using Expatfone myself.. ported my UK number into it before i left the country.. gives me free calls to mobiles and landlines in Uk.. and masks my location since no international dial tones or country pre-fixes needed.. so it's just like you are making or receiving a call in the Uk.. free voicemail and ability to collect OTP's from your Uk bank.. perfect for maintaining a Uk 'residence' and eliminates potential difficulties with your home banking.. since some banks are forcing account closure if you admit to living overseas and are no longer tax resident in Uk!

Thai data SIMs come with a local phone number, even if they can't make calls. Most of them can make calls too if you add money to them- they really are just normal SIMs with a data plan. I don't think there would be a problem using your bank app on that as long as it is registered to you. My understanding, you would still be getting a Thai data SIM for the internet connection and Xpatphone is a way to VOIP your UK number. I think that would be OK.

Better rates from Wise but u still can do direct Swift transfers....u need a thai sim registered under your name with your passport.......I'm using a dual sim phone / so I have a thai sim and home sim working simultaneously....hope this helps

I send money via wise direct to Thai bank. So get the visa before you arrive. Enter Thailand. Open bank account. Transfer money direct to account. Apply for 12 months extension of stay.

The Bank has a system to cross check the name on bank account if you use an app and name on your phone service provider, they will be looking for a Thai contract and number.

If you were talking about transferring your money to Wise, before you get the non o visa from outside the country, do not do that. It does not count as a bank and will not be accepted. Get the visa with money evidence from your foreign account. Then enter Thailand with the visa. Get a phone number most modern phones will take more than one eSIM at a time and plans with the phone number are pretty cheap and you definitely need a number, immigration has asked for it as well. Once once you have the phone number, long-term visa, and rental paperwork you can go get a bank account, which you need to do right away because you need two months of money in it. You can use whatever you want to transfer the money, though as said above, Wise has the best rates. Once that’s done, and your money has sat for two months, and you have 30 days or fewer left on your initial 90 day visa, you can go get a one year extension

You definitely need a Thai phone number to be able to access you Thai bank app on your phone. You must have proof that the number is registered to you and confirmed with your passport details stored by the mobile service operator. No way round that.

What is your doubt about using Wise to transfer money? Their rates and fees are much better than banks and their security and privacy arrangements are just as strong as the banks'. And one more thing, Wise transfers are quicker.

Im not absolutely sure, but I would expect it has to be a Thai number ?

You will likely get a better exchange rate with Wise. You need a Thai phone number with a SIM registered against your passport to use the Thai banking apps