What is the difference between a Non-O visa and a Non-OA visa for expats in Thailand?

Most people seem to choose the non O visa.

The downside of the non O is that you need to deposit 800,000 baht into a Thai bank account when you get here.

The sequence is:

Apply for the non O in your country before coming to Thailand.

Enter Thailand using the non o.

Open a bank account immediately (this should be possible with the non o visa).

Deposit 800,000 baht into your account in the first week or two.

Go to immigration and get a list of their requirements for a 12 month extension of stay based on retirement (every office is slightly different).

Wait until your money has been in your account for two months and then go to your immigration office with everything they ask for on their list, to enable you to get the extension and pay 1,900 baht.

You can repeat the final part every year. Good luck.

and wisely means don’t use the Non O-A if you plan to stay for more than two years in Thailand ore else you’re stuck with the mandatory health insurance approved by the Thai immigration for all you’re future yearly extension of stays.

The Non-O only gives you a 90 day entry so just a few weeks to open a bank account and transfer the funds to allow them to season for 2 months for your first 12 month extension (unless your Embassy still does the income affidavit)

Very basically you can only get Non OA in your home country. You don’t need funds in Thailand but you need insurance and health and police checks. Good for 2 years if used wisely.

Non O initial visa bought outside can use funds outside Thailand. Don’t need insurance or checks. To extend or get in country you need funds in Thailand.