Definitely easier to apply online while you're stateside.

Apply for your visa using your SS income BEFORE you leave the US. Get the multi-entry option. Once here, extend your health insurance to cover your second year here. Re-enter before your first year stamp expires and when you re-enter, you will be stamped in for another 12 months or to the expiration date of your health insurance. (Whichever comes 1st.)

When you first arrive, open your bank account and start making monthly 65k baht deposits. By the time your visa renewal is due you'll have met the deposit requirements for the renewal.

Yes

@Brandon ***********

If everything is in order the turn around is very quick. No interview.

Applies to all customers, not just foreigners from what I was told at my branch. The teller even showed me on thier personal mobile app the very same limits applied to him.

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I'm in Ubonratchathani but Kaisikorn opened mine 4 months ago. I had to have my residence certificate, passport, visa, and Thai phone number.

@Stuart **********

Totally agree! 👍

I applied for my non-OA retirement visa in the US using my Social Security income to meet the 65k baht income minimum, background check ordered online, health insurance purchased through a Thai company and a simple health certificate. Done in less than ten days time. No agent required.

I leave it in my US bank account and transfer it every month using WISE. I can't imagine trying to change anything at SSA right now given the choas created by Musk and DOGE...