Getting tiresome. USA citizen in bkk on a 90

Day non-O visa. Arrived Dec 4, still haven’t been able to open a bank account. Been to immigration twice, about 10 different banks, some of them multiple times. The rules change in the same bank from one day to the next. Bangkok bank told me today I have to file for retirement in my country lol. Another said I must marry a Thai citizen. Another wanted that elusive retirement visa stamp in my passport. K Bank now wants a signed copy of the condo owners ID on top of the lease agreement. Didn’t want that yesterday. Another bank wanted me to pay insurance at 30k baht per year, every year 😂 another wanted proof of residency supplied by my embassy 😏

I’ve supplied passport, non-o visa stamp in passport and paper non-o visa, my Thai phone number tied to my passport, certificate of residency and signed lease agreement. So far no luck anywhere. Any suggestions for a sure fire bank in Bangkok that will accept just these documents? Because so far no bank wants my money.

I will not use an agent, please don’t suggest it. Thanks!

Hello,

I have a bit of a niche situation to ask about, but I'm hoping its relevant to at least some people.

I'm an American living in Korea with more than 500K Baht in a Korean bank account for several years.

My Korean visa will expire next month and, while my bank account won't close, I won't have access to it internationally, therefore I'm planning to move most/all of my funds to a global account like Wise.

I'm planning to go to Thailand on a Tourist visa next month, and then at some point take a trip to Vietnam to apply for the soft power DTV (or Workation, depending on how my freelancing goes) at the embassy there.

My question boils down to, at the point that I apply to the embassy in Vietnam, I would need to show 500K baht in my current (i.e. Wise) account for 3+ months, right? Therefore I should move those funds from my Korean account to that account as soon as possible, and/or expect to do a single visa run to renew my tourist visa to a total of 4 months, right?

Additionally, what kind of proof of income do embassies in Vietnam usually ask for?

Thank you in advance!

I’m old and usually confused! 😁 Is there any Thai government office in Chiang Mai where I can go in and actually talk to someone? I am clueless and am visiting Chiang Mai on a tourist visa next month. I really want to sit down and talk to an official about what my retiree visa options are, what steps I need to take and when I should initiate. I‘ve read so much conflicting information online and I’m not smart enough to weed through the misinformation on my own. I know where the eVisa website and have used it but can’t figure out some “chicken or the egg” questions that I have.

My wife is going to purchase a house shortly in Phrae province.

As we have to return to UK in 6 weeks time (whilst I am here on a 90 day visa so won’t be extending it this trip) how long does it take to get a blue book which I guess would only be in my wifes name?

Would this entitle me as married to a thai, the yellow book which, when I return to Thailand Oct ‘26, makes things a bit easier for opening a bank account in place of a certificate of residence?

I understand you need to maintain about 800,000 baht in an account to renew/keep the retirement Non O visa (or at least have it in there for 6 months before renewal) but I’ve heard you can withdraw funds momentarily and go below the 800,000 is this true? And I send money into my account regularly from Canada but is it possible to send it the other way? I mean back to Canada, with a banking app

Question regarding the 500,000 THB. I have it but on my broker/investments account (so technically it’s not a bank account). It is not invested so it was liquid at all times. Would that work?

UPD: the answer is no, so I just transferred it to my bank account, would that be enough if im applying in 2 weeks or it has to be there for 3 month?

USA arrived Bangkok on 90 day non-imm O visa December 4. Over 50 and intend to retire here. Decided to go to open bank account today. Went to Bang kaput mall, 3 different banks. Kbank, krungsri and Bangkok bank. All 3 had different rules and requirements. None allowed me to open account. I supplied passport, 90 day Non-O visa hard , copy, invoice of Condo I’m renting, TM30 and prepared to transfer 800,000 baht. No good. Lease contract needed. Bangkok bank wanted a lease contract of at least 6 months. Ongoing theme was they wanted the visa in the passport stamped as retirement visa. My visa was stamped and in writing on the visa stamp was “Evisa” and “non-O” with the date set for March 3, 2026.

Any suggestions on where or what else I need to do to open an account? I will not be using an illegal agency.

Thanks!

I have been on a Remote Worker DTV for 5 months.

Immigration didn’t give me the 180-day extension because half of my money is in the U.S. stock market and the other half was not in my Thai bank account for 30 days. All my other documents were fine. I still work for the same company.

I will make a visa run and enter through Bangkok airport.

Is there a high chance they will refuse my entry?

Do they want to see 500,000 THB in my bank account and check that it has been there for 30 days?

Hi I'm just seeking advice so I get things in the right order. I arrived on a Non-Immigrant O Visa for 90days. I entered on 8th December and have accommodation for a month.

I have a TM30 but I understand I need a Residency certificate to open a bank account.

Will I be able to get a Residency Certificate with 30 days accommodation booked? If not, what is the criteria?

My intention is to apply for a further 90 day visa then the year extension.

Is this the right way of doing things?

I'm from the U.S. and received an non-o visa from the Royal Thai Embasy in L.A. last October. MY flight was delayed and it expired before I arrived in Thailand. Can I re apply for it here in Thailand. I've been married to a Thai national for 5 years and we have all the documents with us. Someone said I have to leave to re apply??? Why?