@Graham *****

I got that and I agree. I misinterpreted what you wrote above. 😉

@Graham *****

well, it has been possible - earlier you could "shop around" different banks and branches and find some that opened accounts even to those who didn't have a longterm visa... That door is now closed.

@Mick ********

it hasn't changed. Converting a tourist entry to a Non-O inside Thailand has always required money on a Thai Bank account. Your friends had probably opened bank accounts on previous visas or even as tourists when that was still possible. It is the banks that has changed (not the requirements or process to convert to a Non-O visa).

@Andreas ********

Pattaya News is NOT a source I would trust to be exactly right about everything... (hence I will not even bother to check the link - already read several other news about it, giving various information).

@Phyf ***

well announced might have been the wrong word. Different information (AND misinformation) have been spread lately. It seems that the planned changes will take effect from tomorrow.

@Andreas ********

let's see on Monday. I'm not sure that you are right about that.

@Phyf ***

the new rules will be announced on Monday. Having no issues before that is kind of irrelevant...

@Andreas ********

well, there are new rules to be announced on Monday.

@Shannon *****

The Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates are technically under MFA = Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Immigration Bureau (which incl. Immigration Offices), is a part of the Royal Thai Police and falls under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior.

Hej Arve!

No, you can not "just go to Immigration" to get a visa...

A visa is used to ENTER a country. Once you enter, you get a permit to stay for the specific time that your visa type allows (this is stamped in your passport).

It means, you need to apply for your visa outside of Thailand, through a Thai Embassy/consulate and stay in that embassy's jurisdiction throughout the entire visa process (from when you apply until the visa is approved/issued). The application is done online, but it is processed by the embassy/consulate where you are when you apply (you may be asked to prove this and/or they can ask you to come for an interview although that's not common).

Based on the information you provided - as several suggested already - your best option is likely to apply for DTV - Destination Thailand Visa ("not Digital" as stated in a previous comment).

The DTV is valid for 5 years, giving you a permit to stay for up to 180 days at a time. It should be possible to extend it for another 180 days at any local Immigration Office... In reality though, they've made the extension process so difficult, that almost everyone choose to exit Thailand and enter again to get another 180 days (visiting a neighboring country or travel back home for a few weeks/a period of time).

DTV is a multientry visa that can be used to enter Thailand as many times as you'd like during the 5 years it is valid. The cost to apply for DTV is 10.000 thb and you're also required to add bank statements to your application, showing that you have 500.000 thb (or equivalent in another currency).

Among the replies you've had so far, the DTV was described as "popular for digital nomads" and "if you find an activity you would like to do for at least 6 month"...

This is not wrong, but there are more options to apply for DTV so theres a lack of information that could be of interest to you.

I have no idea what kind of disability you have, but my immediate thought was that applying for DTV to get medical treatment could be something for you to consider... In case you're in need of regular checkups, physical therapy or some other treatment (even unrelated to your disability) this might be the most natural reason for you to apply for the DTV.

The DTV-categories are often referred to as "workcation" or "soft power".

Workcation is for applicants such as remote workers, digital nomads, freelancers and others that have an income from outside Thailand (i.e.can work for foreign companies and/or for foreign clients) - basically people that can work from anywhere with companies, customers and businesses that aren't in Thailand. Since you don't need to work, the workcation category is probably not interesting to you.

The so called "soft power" is for those that will participate in activities such as:

- Courses/classes/seminars in for instance Muay Thai, Thai Cooking or learning something else that's typical to Thai culture (applicants have been issued DTV to participate in seminars and learn about Thai herbs for example). This need proof that you have applied and paid for whatever course/classes you choose and a lot of documentation from the school/provider of courses (for instance muay thai gyms that are approved by the proper authorities). Many embassies require that the duration of such courses are longer than 6 month (otherwise they might issue another type of tourist visa)

- Medical treatment in Thailand (a variety of treatments, also including dental works that takes long time to complete). Applying based on medical reasons, requires a letter from a hospital/clinic in Thailand and also a treatment plan (possibly with some scheduled appointments)

- Sports Training

- Music festivals (although I haven't seen/heard of anyone applying based on this!)

I wrote some more about DTV based on "Soft Power" and to apply from your home country or somewhere else (outside of Thailand). I decided to sent the rest in a PM to you though (otherwise this comment would become the longest in the history of facebook!)

Last, but not least...

No matter if you decide to apply for DTV or some other visa, you should ALWAYS read the information on the website of the Thai Embassy/Consulate in the area where you will apply, since the requirements varies a lot!

Lycka till från grannlandet/nabolandet!