Richard is correct! See below. These days, you will have to arrive through the Thailand Pass (you will need to show insurance and the rest of the ridiculous crap they will require). It will be a Tourist Visa or Non-Immigrant Visa (The latter is the correct term). It is a pain in the backside even if the system is working properly. Then stay for the term of the Visa then within those after 60 days you can change to a No-O (based upon either retirement/marriage or whatever). You can go through an agent as it will make the entire process easier for you (yes at a cost... but far less than the Non- A/O) not to mention they will know exactly what needs to be done and how to do it all and you will not have to run around like a chicken with no head. Or ...in my opinion... if you enjoy banging your head against a wall... do the process yourself (I do it myself... but I have been here for 10 years). Richard is right about the other elements you will have to do. Suggest Bangkok Bank is easiest for most for opening a Thai bank account (as they have branch in NYC). And it is 2 months for either 800k or 400k (the latter is if you are married to a Thai) must be in a Thai bank (marinating as some call it) PRIOR to applying and then has to be in the account for 1 month after. Then you can pull only
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out. The 90-day report is still required no matter what visa you have (easy as breathing). Or you can use the monthly income method (pension, etc.). That amount must be at least 65,000 Baht per month.