this is a good point. Once he has the Non Immigrant visa he can open a second account in Kanchanaburi for day to day spending leaving the first account solely for his visa. It makes the paperwork at the yearly extension so much easier.
because Thailand is a wonderful country and the USA isn't. Look at the best two candidates the USA have come up with to be president. Bear in mind this is the best line up in the last 3 elections. 😂
It is now a lot harder to get a bank account in Thailand with a tourist visa or visa exempt. As a result I would advise your friend to get a non immigrant O based on being over 50 in his home country before he comes to Thailand. With a non Immigrant O he will find it much easier to open a bank account.
I did a border bounce, came back on a 30 day visa exempt (1st July). Then I applied for the Non O based on marriage. I needed to show the 400k came from outside of Thailand.