tl;dr: For a Non-O Immigrant (Retirement) visa, do I have to enter Thailand from the country listed on the visa or from any country?

Details: I've applied for a Non-O visa on the Thai eVisa website ([members only]/). The process was straightforward once I knew how to do it and as far as I know the documents I submitted were good.

The Australian Thai consulate says the eVisa should take 10 business days except in high season (whatever that is) ([members only], scroll down to "Attention"). Since the visa application required an arrival date and flight number I booked a flight. My departure date is fast approaching and I'm worried I won't get the visa issued in time. I acknowledge this situation is "all on me" - for brevity I'm leaving out why I chose the date and flight that I did.

Possible options:

1) Cancel the current flight, wait for the visa to be issued, rebook the flight, travel to Thailand. Question: Does it matter if the arrival date and flight number is different from that on the visa application?

2) Book a second flight out of Thailand, say to Malaysia. I think (?) this will allow me to get on the flight using a tourist visa (visa on arrival), although 1) it's not a return flight to Australia - don't know if that's a problem, and 2) it's possible Malaysia would not let me enter without an outbound ticket. Enter Thailand, wait for the visa, fly to Malaysia, re-enter Thailand on my Non-O visa, minimal stay in Malaysia. Question(s): Same question as above. Also, for the Non-O visa do I have to enter Thailand from the country listed on the visa or can I enter from any overseas country i.e. Malaysia? Lastly, Thailand would know I was in Thailand when the visa was *issued*, although not when it was *used*. Is that a problem?

3) Same as #2 but have a return flight already booked out of Malaysia. This issue is when to book that flight - I don't know how long the Thai visa would take to get issued, regardless of what the Thai Consulate says.

I prefer option #2 but definitely want to stay on the right side of Thai immigration. In typing out these options #2 and #3 seem to be risky. Option #1 and eating the rebooking cost for the flight might be the safest approach. Your thoughts?

The eVisa website does list a number at the bottom of the home page: (+66) 2203-5000. I will call them Monday. This post is just to cover all bases in case calling that number goes nowhere.

Thanks...

I applied thai E-VISA with a one way ticket and the return from another country is this ok??12 days still processing!

When you have your DTV can you wait 5 months before making your first entry?

Can you fly in whenever, or do you need to be in Thailand soon after recieving visa?

Hello, can you confirm one thing for me. With a DTV visa, there is no need to have a return ticket to enter Thailand? Thank you

My DTV visa is approved from Jakarta and I received this via email.

Do I have to go to Jakarta embassy to get the visa stamp on my passport or nothing to do ? anything to do when I arrive to Thailand ?

Thank you in advance.

What is the longest lag time allowed between being granted a 90 Day Non O Visa in your home country, and actually arriving in Thailand, receiving your non-o passport stamp, and beginning your 90 Days of paradise? I was told u actually also have 90 days from day of visa approval to arrive and still be valid for 90 days in Thailand.

Hello, will having my Thailand round trip air fare 70 days cause any issues?planning on visiting Vietnam maybe Cambodia a few weeks..thanks

Hello,

I heard that if you're unlucky, the authorities in Bangkok can check your DTV visa in detail on arrival. Did it happen to anyone?

My friend told me it can be a problem, for example if you did it in Cambodia with the 500k freshly put on your bank account because in Thailand they want you to have the 500k for 6 months. Then they can deny your entry.

It might be a small % chance but according to my friend it can happen.

Does anyone have any info on that?

How far in advance can I apply for a DTV? If I plan on leaving at the end of November can I apply 3 months prior? Is there a point of expiration if I don't enter the country in a certain time length?

Thank you!