Why was I told I can't apply for a Non-O visa as a visa-exempt applicant?

I am talking about Visa on Arrival - the one that millions of tourists want. Compare this, 'As of June 2025, Thailand's Visa on Arrival (VoA) policy allows eligible travelers to stay for 15 days. This duration remains unchanged despite recent adjustments to visa exemption rules for certain nationalities.

Can the Visa on Arrival Be Extended?

Yes, a VoA can be extended once for an additional 7 days by applying at a Thai Immigration Office. The extension fee is 1,900 Thai Baht, and approval is at the discretion of the immigration officer.' Compare the Thai rigmarole to your 90 above in Vietnam. I was trying to explain why tourist numbers in one country are increasing, whilst Thailand's are going down the plughole.

@John *******

Yes, it's almost impossible to open a bank account now on a tourist entry stamp but Immigration rules remain the same

So if you don't have a Thai bank account one way to get your Non-O is to get it from a neighbouring country then re-enter, open a bank account, transfer 800k then apply for the 12 month extension. That is probably what you were being told, no bank account on a Visa Exempt entry stamp.