@Stuart **********

No it's not. I'm letting them know to apply for the non OA instead of the non O so they do not need to season 800k each in a Thai bank that makes 0 interest. It's an alternative that no one has mentioned here. Also the insurance to apply is only about 25k baht or less for a year.

I'm sure they can check with the embassy and decide the best route. It's an alternative not a confusion.

You can apply for the Non OA (not Non O) retirement visa in your home country and that allows you to use the balance in your country's bank as proof of funds (not Thai bank). Once you have that visa, come to Thailand and then open the bank account with the long term visa and no worries of time frame. Check with the Thai Embassy in the US for the requirements. It will give you 1+1 year stay. You have plenty of time to get yourself sorted on this Visa route.

@Willem ***

Pay someone who has a bank account to pay for you then

Is the water bill from Juristic Office? You can just go to the office to pay cash. For MEA bill go to 7-11.

Large quantities of counterfeit notes are usually the reason why they won't accept certain note types.

Just use TagThai app to pay. No need bank account. Register at Kbank currency exchange booths..

@Graham ****

are you on tourist visa?

@Yasmin **********

if you're on a tourist visa, you will most likely be asked to close the account and take all the money out and will not be allowed to open an account anymore until you get a long term visa. If you own a property here, bring the title deed with you and you should also be able to keep the account.

Banks won't steal your money unless they think it's a mule account. If you come back and you can verify you are the owner with your passport etc then you'll get your money back. They just want to verify and also scan facial recognition.

You are applying for a non OA in your home country. You just need to show the amount in your home country bank, not a Thai bank account.