How far in advance do I need to extend my retirement visa? The deadline is November 2nd

Hi Guys, opened my two bank accounts yesterday with KASIKORNBANK in Hua Hin and now want to fund them. First to transfer money to a savings account..and a mimimum of 800k bht then transferring from there to a Fixed Deposit Account which pays some low interest, about 1%, but better than nothing. The minimum 800k bht to stay in that account to satisfy Non O immigrant requirement.

I have been having a nightmare trying to transfer money from my UK Lloyds account..with also exorbitant transfer costs. So transferred some money from my Wise account just to see the difference. The Wise transaction was done in seconds and at a good rate of 43.5bht / £.

I am now thinking of doing the balance with Wise but understand there may be issues in the future.(?). So would appreciate any advice?

And btw: didn’t need to go to immigration at all. Just took my owner documents, blue book etc., together with my passport and that was enough evidence for them to open my accounts. Thank you.

Seasoning money question: If I transferred 800,000 thb into my Thai bank account on 18th July 2025, when is the earliest date that I can go to immigration for my retirement extension? I assume 18th September but want to be sure. Thanks!

When calculating the time that your 800k needs to be in your account before and after a retirement extension renewal - is it calculated in full calendar months or from the date of your extension? I understand it cannot go below 400k at any stage .

Thank you .

Praise report!

Yesterday I went to immigration at Chiang Rai Central Plaza to get my yearly Non-O retirement extension.

I had all the correct paperwork, took a number, waited about 10 minutes, submitted my paperwork to the very pleasant IO, paid my 1,900 baht and received my new stamp.

All up around 40 minutes!

Very pleasant and efficient service!

Well done Chiang Rai Immigration Office.👏👏👏

Recent change in Wise to Bangkok Bank ‘International Funds Transfer’ tagging.

Prior to this month transfers Wise to Bangkok Bank took 3-5 days but where tagged correctly as ‘International Funds Transfer’. However this month the same transfer occured in seconds and appears to have been routed through Kbank and then received at Bangkok Bank as a local bank to bank transfer.

Note: the Wise process did not stop to ask the reason for transfer which I previously tagged as ‘funds for long term stay in Thailand’

I am on the NON-O retirement extension based on 65,000 thb monthly. I am concerned that Bangkok bank will not be able to provide a document for the next extension identifying 12 monthly international funds transfers.

Note: I will print a receipt from Wise each month and save. Remains to be seen how this new change will play out.

I have decided that for my 2nd retirement extension next year that I will use the 65,000 baht monthly deposit method. What I would like to know is what do you use for your reference number when you are using Wise for your monthly transfers? (the transfers are marked as international funds transfer already).

My second question is has anyone had any problems in the last month getting a full year print out and yearly bank letter from Bangkok Bank lately? Thank you.

Ok so need a bit of advice from those in the know. I arrived in Thailand on a Non O visa on the 18/06 went to the local immigration office yesterday to get proof of where I am living ( to open bank account ) To get all things sorted for retirement extension. Hit a bit of a wall when the immigration officer said you can not ask for the retirement extension because in thai in the remarks line they had written business. The application was submitted via the London Embassy. Has anyone a) been in this situation, and what solutions did you find. The Officer said you need new Non O go to Laos and apply there.

My possible solution and happy to be shot down if this is a stupid thought is go to Laos return on a visa exempt stamp and convert that in country to a Non O and then take the retirement extension.

In a perfect world trying to get the authorities to reissue a copy of the original visa with that word removed.

Question regarding the required documents for a non-O retirement extension: I've read in some comments that a one-year detailed statement printed from your bank is required. Is this only for the 65k monthly income method, or also needed for the 800k proof of funds?

Last year I provided the original and a copy of all passbook pages, and it was accepted. (800k method, CW office)

I signed up for True money. Working well for 7-11 and grab payments. Trying to unlock the advanced features such as scan to pay . When I uploaded my non O visa they said it was expired. I am on a retirement extension. Has anyone else experienced this?