@Johnny *********

no worries. It's an overnight ferry.

The one in Pattaya shut down quite a long time ago but they opened one that I believe runs from Si Racha (just south of Pattaya) to Yala in South Thailand. I may be mistaken on the exact arrival location in South Thailand but it will definitely get you across the Gulf of Thailand.

@Garrett **********

as long as he's ready for the possibility he may spend the day going from bank to bank, then I agree with you.

I tend to do things myself and not hire an agent (e.g. Thai drivers license, visa renewal, 90 day report, etc.) However, if I were trying to open a Thai bank account on a tourist visa, I would hire an agent. I think most agents charge about 3K THB but IMO it will be money well spent. I say this because I've read many posts in these groups of people going to bank after bank and being rejected. My 2¢ on the matter. Good luck!

You should check out the US state department site. I could have sword the testing requirements were changed about a month ago to 48 hours before your first flight.

@James **********

if I were you, I'd call the airline for verification. If you can get a straight flight through BKK, it'll undoubtedly save you a lot of money and stress.

Seems like there are several flights that do not require you to leave the international area of the airport in BKK.

I don't know what day you are traveling but I chose Feb 15th and searched on the Sky Scanner app. The first screen shot shows some flights where you must self transfer but there is also a flight where you do not have to self transfer (see the 2nd screen shot for flight details) and the 3rd screen shot shows several flights where you do not have to self transfer.