@Darren ******

yes, definitely. The LTR application doesn't care where you are since the BOI does the processing. And if you're already in Thailand you can pay the exact 50,000 baht to immigration rather than the inflated embassy price. And even better, you'll get a big stamp in your passport rather than having to carry around a printed visa for 10 years.

Get the visa from your embassy before going to Thailand. That will save you 2 trips to immigration and you'll be able to apply directly for the 1-year extension from that.

You're doing it completely wrong. Applying from the embassy is the absolute LAST step.

The LTR visa is completely run by the BOI. You must apply to the BOI and finish their entire process and get the approval letter from them. It takes 2-3 months normally.

Once that's done they give you an approval letter, and that's what you use to apply from the embassy.

Cash to open the account

@Marianne *******

Kasikorn minimum was 50,000 but that's the only one I checked since they are the bank I use. I found references to similar cards with other banks though

Do you have a visa or not? With a visa, no time at all. If you don't have a visa then you'll need to stay 1 or 2 nights at most borders.

@Ian *******

you'll have zero problems getting a bank account if you have a non-OA as well. And that gives you options of transitioning off the OA at some point in the future by leaving and resetting your status then converting to non-O with funds in your Thai bank account you got on the OA.

@Abey ********

too broad to just say they. It also has many factors based on your embassy etc

If you already entered using that visa, it's no longer valid. If you purchased a re-entry permit before you left then your stamp in your passport is still alive, otherwise that was also made invalid when you left.

If you already have a Thai bank account you can convert from tourist to non-O inside Thailand. But if you don't already have a Thai bank account you need to get another non-O visa.

If you don't have a Thai job with a work permit no bank will give you a credit card. Some banks might offer you a secured credit card (you make a deposit that is locked in a bank account to secure the credit card and then that is your credit limit and you can never touch that money until you close your card account)