What is the best visa option for staying in Thailand for 6 months each year without exceeding tax implications?

@Daniel ********

yes. There is a strange policy glitch when going from visa exempt or tourist visa to an initial Non O where they will not accept the 12 month THB 65,000 transfer and only axxep THB 800,000. However, once you have the Non O you can extend every year with the monthly transfer of THB 65,000 and not need the THB 800,000. I got caught up in that a few years back. Thailand at its finest.

@Ken ******

Ken have you tried recently? We tried on our own and we were basically given the runaround. Hint we got is to hire an agent(VISWICS) as I got tired of bouncing. Now I am not sure why I was chosen to be given a difficult time as I’m sure this is not the every case but I could not do it on our own. It got done with an agent immediately but they were telling us this and that each time, I got tired of the hassle. Just my own recent case. It seems they’re out for money right now as I witnessed exchanging of money right in front of me but what do I care it got done finally

@David *****

yes. Sadly corruption is strong. I coverted from a visa exempt to a 3 month Non O when I returned after COVID around 2021.

One I arrived visa exempt, I went to Chaeng Wattana with all documentation including 12 months of international transfers of THB 65,000. To my surprise, Chaeng Wattana would not accept the monthly transfers; they would only accept THB 800,000 in a Thai bank or a letter from my embassy if they still issued (U.S. does not.).

I had to scramble and sell stocks and transfer the money to THB 800,000. On all my yearly extensions since then, I use the THB 65,000 and have not had a problem and I have not needed an agent. But I can certainly understand why people use agents.

@Ken ******

very strong I saw with my own 2 eyes. I had to deal with embassy, CW and agency. It’s like I was being played by all 3 as at the end of the day, it benefits all of them. Had I known what I know now, I may not have sold all my belongings.

@Ken ******

that's not new. It's always been that way. You cannot convert to non-O visa or get the first annual extension using monthly transfers. Has nothing to do with corruption.

@Brandon ***********

but if a yearly Non O is given based on either 12 monthly transfers of THB 65,000 or THB 800,000 then why aren't either accepted for the initial Non O. To me, that doesn't make sense. I complied but I still think not logical.

@Ken ******

I don't know why. But the monthly transfer thing is something they did to help people after embassies stopped giving income verification. They could have just not even offered that but decided to be nice and make it an option.

@Brandon ***********

an interesting point.

@Ken ******

I see. Thank you.