What is the best visa for permanently moving back to Thailand, and how do I open a bank account and get a yellow book?

Grant Richardson You’ve got a few things mixed together, but it’s all fixable.

1. Best visa (given your situation):

If you’re married to a Thai national → Non-Immigrant O (Marriage Visa) → then extend yearly. That’s the standard path.

2. Financial requirement (important):

You have two options — you don’t need both:

• 400,000 THB in a Thai bank (seasoned 2–3 months), OR

• 40,000 THB/month income proven via embassy affidavit or documented transfers

Yes — your company paying you monthly into a Thai bank can work, but:

• It must look consistent and legitimate (not random transfers)

• Immigration may ask for proof of source (company docs, invoices, etc.)

3. Yellow book (ทะเบียนบ้านเล่มเหลือง):

This is NOT required for the visa. It’s just a foreigner house registration.

You can apply at your local district office (amphur) with:

• Passport

• Marriage cert

• Wife’s house book

• Witnesses sometimes required

It’s useful for convenience, not mandatory.

4. Bank account:

You can open one with:

• Passport

• Visa (Non-O preferred)

• Proof of address (your wife’s house usually fine)

Some banks are easier than others — Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn are the least headache.

5. Proof of residence:

Your wife’s house is fine. You’ll just need:

• TM30 registered

• Possibly a simple residence letter from immigration

Bottom line:

• Yes, your income route is valid if structured properly

• No, you don’t need the 400k if you meet monthly income

• Focus on getting your Non-O + clean financial paper trail

Takes a month to get the Yellow Book (Bangkok, Samut Prakan).

Then, with thai Pink ID, everything becomes easier.

Rudi Vermeulen Me too.

Since 2015

@Brad *******

same goes with me, malaysia embassy no longer issue the letter hence 400k deposit will be the 1 and only way 😢