@Matthew ********

I scan when needed. You never answered «what is a true expat» Someone like you? Dementia has not kicked in yet, but of course I worry, 72 by the way. What makes you so uptight? Cheers anyway, delighted to be acquainted, and none of us really knowing if we are «true» or not seems like a good ending?

@Matthew ********

You obviously know a lot more than I can fathom. But I take ofens to your comment about me not being a true expat. Does 47 years in the Kingdom count? With accounts both on- and off-shore. Get a life, cash still rules, all you need is a pocket full of change. And by the way: what is a «true expat»? You?

@Matthew ********

BS! Cash is still king here.

@Tim *******

I know my non imm O visa saved me a trip to imm: I arrived Aug 24 and got stamped in for 90 days. First trip to Imm was when applying for the yearly extension.

@Kevin *********

The rules have changed, but only meant to make it more difficult for people on visa-excempt or tourist-visas. If you arrive on a non O visa, if the bank still says no, contact Immigration. I had to and they gave me a letter to bring to the bank and voila! Seeing all the applicants in flip-flops, shorts and singlets in a government office not understanding why they are not getting the help they feel entitled to: They are actually helping the Thai government in the work sorting out the desirable visitors from the not so desirable. They should (and often do) get an extra week extension to pack and leave. Show respect, act like a human and all will be sorted out at the price of Baht 1.900,- + the about Baht 700, ? You pay for your ATM card and phone app. Good luck.

You`re getting a lot of «alternative facts» here, as always a lot of folks here more than willing to share what they think in lieu of actually knowing the facts. I have no idea why you were «stamped in» on Nov. 25th. - you might want to check that again with IO. What is factual: Your last visa (if you have had several or even visa-excempt) is the only valid stamp. Non O lasts 90 days and therefore no 90-day reporting. This reporting starts 90 days after you have received your one-year extension. Our western logic does not always follow Thai logic, but on this they are comparable. Good luck!

Get a non-imm 0 visa and you can apply for an extension while you are here and get the bank a/c while you are here. No need for an agent to do that: when applying for the extension just ask immigration to give you a letter to the bank which they will because needed for your application. Agents are for people without visa and no legal reason for a longer stay. I did the whole procedure (one false start -hadn’t done my homework properly) but now have the extension/permit to stay at the cost of Baht 1.900,- Plus the added cost of going back to Europe to restart the process. Chon Buri, might very well differ from other locations. Chock dee!

Do it the easy way: 1. Get your 30 day extension (Baht 1.900,-) Then with the money saved from NOT using an agent, spend them on a small holiday for the two of you, like on Penangs beaches, experiencing Angkor Wat or whatever. Go back to Thailand, 60 days visa excempt and a new 30 day extension. Alltogether well within the 25.000,- incl. a great holiday! Did this first part of this year, returned to Norway to get up-to-date papers and the ones I had been missing, back again now, first on a non-O and now on the one-year extension. Lykke til!

Ryan Ho why do you bother? You obviously do not know the rules while still (and happily i would think) spreading fake and wrong info. Where’s the sense in that?

@Darren *********

All depends on if you´re on the Governmental grid (PEA, MEA) or not. If not you are out of luck. On the «grid»: 30+sqm, 2 A/c´s, 2 adults, some minor cooking, hot water and all that, max. B1.500,-. Water between B 200-360.