Bobby Howard posted in another thread

I'm wanting to apply for a so-called "retirement" visa but I'm confused with the bank requirements. Obviously I can't open a Thai bank account until I have the visa, and I can't get the visa without proof of funds.

From what I'm reading on this page is that if I apply from my country of residence Australia, I just have to show either equivalent of 800,000THB in Aus dollars in an Aus bank account or income of 65000THB also in AUD in an Aus bank account. Is this correct, or am I reading something wrong?

Sorry if this has been asked a lot before. I'm an Australian aged 57, in the last 12 months have been in Thailand for a total of about 3 months. Have rented a house in Phuket and about to start the process of applying for an "O" retirement visa. I have all of the necessary criteria already except medical certificate, but would prefer not to transfer the 800k to a Thai bank account if avoidable. My question is about whether to apply for the visa in Australia or Thailand. I've been told that if I apply in Australia, I can provide a statutory declaration that I intend to transfer the 800k and provide evidence of the funds in an Australian bank account. Firstly, is this the case, and secondly, is it possible to do this in Thailand also? Does anyone have recent experience about this? I'd like to avoid using lawyers in Thailand and do this myself. Thanks in advance.

I am reposting this... initially posted on wrong FB page.

Hi, My wife and I have just returned from 3 weeks in Chiang Mai and are in the process of selling our house and then obtaining Long Stay O-A [retirement] visas.

My questions :

If we apply for this visa in Australia and we do not have a Thai bank account... will the provision of an Australian bank account with the required amount be acceptable.

This money will not be in the bank for the required 60 days.

Also do we have to apply separately or can I claim my wife [age 58] as a dependant and thus avoid double financials.

Some of these questions have been answered but I was also told this is the correct forum and answers will be better informed