always best to check with the local immigration office. However, in Jomtien they gave me the form listing requirements as the same to convert to Non-O either from a tourist visa or visa exempt entry. The difference was which form to use TM86 (w/visa) or TM87 (w/visa exempt stamp)
I opened my Bangkok Bank account at one branch, then I later updated my bank book (which shows the 800k as FTT or FFT or whatever the code for foreign transfer is) and I got the letter from the bank verifying the account and balance at another branch. No problem. The bank does charge a fee (200 or 300thb?) for the service though.
another thing to be mindful of is the exchange rate.
If you go with the monthly income route, you want to keep an eye on the exchange rate, and make sure your arranged transfer will cover the 65k monthly transfer. If the exchange rate dips, and your AUD comes up short of 65k THB, it could/will screw up your eligibility on your next extension (I think).
For example, the USD:THB rate is near a 10yr high. 65k THB would cost about $1,765 USD today. But if the baht were to drop toward the 10yr low, that $1,765 would only get you about 50k THB. The AUD:THB rate is near the 10yr midpoint currently.
If you leave the 800k in there, rather than go the monthly income route, you don't need to worry about fluctuations in the monthly exchange rate messing you up.
you can't work on a retirement visa. I believe the 65k monthly transfer has to come from your home bank account. I'm not 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure. When it goes into your Thai bank account, the deposit gets earmarked as a Foreign Funds Transfer (FFT) which is what they want to see (I believe)
Hey Tod, follow up question for you... If I'm going to be in Vietnam, can I still apply for an Evisa as a US citizen even though I'd be coming back in from Vietnam, and NOT from the US?
