I booked a flight with Lufthansa from Toronto to Bangkok with layover in Zurich where they switched me to Swiss Air. I was allowed on the plane in Toronto no questions asked. Before Swiss Air would allow anyone to Board you had to show your onward flight or in my case, my Non O Visa and re entry permit. At first they told me that wasn’t good enough, I had to have onward ticket. Then another Agent spoke up and said that it was OK.
If you’d really like to get to Asia go to Cambodia and hang out for awhile . Siem Reap is a nice place. You can get a one year Visa there for 300. USD, no other financial requirements. Gives you time to build up your U.S. Bank Account. Once you get enough money in your U.S. account if you still want to live in Thailand you can then come here on Visa Exempt and start the Non O Retirement Visa process.
If you have a Resident Certificate from Immigration it helps. People say you can open an account with out one which is true. But if you have one it does make it easier especially if you are still on a short term Visa.
You can get one 180 extension one time during the 5 year period giving you a full year. You are only allowed to do that once. For the remainder of the Visa it is 180 days total time in Country every year.
Seeing how your 49 you could first come on a 30 Visa exempt and extend that for another 30. You could then check out some Thai Language Schools and apply for a one year Education Visa to study Thai. If you plan on staying long term it’s nice to know some Thai. Once you turn 50 you could then apply for Retirement Visa.
Tod that’s why most people appreciate this site is that you don’t let the question get off topic. Just accurate and to the point information. Sometimes I think you know more about the ins and outs of the Thai Immigration System than Thai Immigration .
All the Thai Embassy websites say to drive in Thailand an IDP is required. It’s hit and miss if you don’t have one and you get stopped. Sometimes not a problem and sometimes it is. If you get in an accident and you don’t have one it may cost you.
Many Thais who aren't fluent in English speak the same way they would speak Thai. To foreigners it sounds rude. That's why they use ka and krap in their own language to show they are being polite. When they speak English that doesn't transfer over especially if their English is very limited.
