You want the account to be in the city you will be living in. You'll likely have to try 10-20 banks / branches as each are different. Even individuals within a branch can be different...

Or pay a couple thousand baht to an agent and have it done within a couple hours.

Anonymous participant yes. Did you read my comment. I literally explained that you can do this

@Angelo **********

i agree but look up the official Thai version of the visa description. This is where the 10,000 baht opinion comes from.

You can enter Thailand as many times as you want and stay for up to 180 days each time without any additional fees during the duration of the visa. There is not a rule saying only 180 days per year. Go in and out as many times as you want with 180 day stamp each time.

If you wish to stay in the country and not leave within the 180 days then you can apply for an extension of an additional 180 days. No one has done this yet because 180 days hasn't passed since the inception of this visa. There is some debate on what this extension will cost due to some wording in the English and Thai language descriptions of the visa from the MFA. Many assume it will be the same 1900 baht fee while others suggest that it might be 10,000 baht. I personally believe it will be 1900 baht but no one is 100% sure at this time. The only reason the extension fee will matter is if you don't plan to leave the country within 180 days.

For me, the extensions are a bit irrelevant because I will travel out of the country occasionally and reset the 180 day count for free each time.

You can stay up to 6 months, leave for a day or however long you wish and return and allowed to stay up to 6 months again.

Can enter as many times as you wish and get a 6 month stamp each time you enter.

After my first entry (stayed only 40 days) I flew out for a short trip and came back a week later and received a new 180 day stamp.

@Indira *********

yes, it is required.

Within 5 years... before the visa expires

The ETA program was proposed but not formally activated. Your travelers do not need to worry about it at this time.

@Princess *******************

not sure if I understand the question...

The visa lasts for 5 years from the date it was issued. No renewals. But can enter as many times as you want for up to 180 days each time for five years. So if you plan it well, you can stay in Thailand for over 5 years, possibly close to 6 years. (with quick trips out of the country along the way).

The trips out of the country don't have a predetermined length of time that you need to be out of the country. Although I have heard that there are certain land border immigration offices that require folks to stay out for a couple of days but I don't really know anything about that and it isn't related to this specific visa.

@Princess *******************

yes, you get a 180 day entry stamp each time you enter.