@John *********

Not misleading at all. Perhaps you didn't understand it. It's not rocket science

@John *********

Which is why I suggest getting the OA,

@Jack ********

You could come over on tourist visa and open a bank account, but keep in mind you will not be able to get the visa or extension until you have the 12 monthly transfers

@Jack ********

The best approach is to apply for OA visa from your own country. You use home country funds for this. When you get to Thailand start the monthly transfers. You cannot get a visa unless you already have 12 x monthly transfers

@Russell ******

No. You still have to satisfy the full conditions for each separate extension. I did it differently by initially getting an OA visa, which effectively gives you two years and requires zero money in Thai bank account. I started the 65k transfers midway through the first year, so by the time I applied for my first in-country extension I already had 18 months of transfers

@Jack ********

You don't apply for anything. You just transfer the money each month. Once you have 12 months worth you can apply for the extension

@Russell ******

Yes I use Wise. Good exchange rate, low transfer fee and transaction shows as a foreign transfer

@Russell ******

You transfer baht from overseas into your Thai bank account at monthly intervals. When you apply for extension you just have to show these foreign transfers in your bank book or on bank statements to immigration and this is accepted in lieu of the 800k lump sum

Get onto the monthly baht process which you can access and spend as you like. No need to tie up any money

You can, but it would entail leaving the country and re-entering to activate the TR, even if only border bouncing for a few minutes