@Brandon ***********

not a question for you, but at least 2 people reacted with 'wow' and I was surprised. I was wondering what those who react that way would expect to happen or think should happen.

If you have a visa or extension based on marriage can you convert to a permanent resident easily to remove the death or divorce triggering the inability to get an extension based on marriage?

As Brandon says, your exempt entry ends when you go to Vietnam and if you return from Vietnam to Thailand you will be asking for a new exempt entry.

@Khun *****

how do you open a Thai bank account without first having the long term visa?

Most likely the reason why Stuart asked about the office and your nationality is that the Non-O should not have these as requirements, but they are requirements for Non-OA Visa

It can be any transfer, but ensure that the Thai bank shows it as an international transfer

@Stan *****

yes, just apply for that visa, based on retirement, in the US

@Greg ********

no you still seem confused. The initial visa, you apply for in your home country normally, is 3 months and you show your local bank information. You them apply for the 12 month extension when you are in Thailand. When you arrive in Thailand on the Visa you should open the Thai bank account and transfer the 400,000 Bhat into it. I believe it needs to be there 2 months prior to the application for extension

@Greg ********

as Brandon said you need to show the funds in the Thai bank when applying for the extension. I recall that it is 400,000 Bhat for 2 months as opposed to the extension of stay for retirement which is 800,000 Bhat for 2 months.

@Eric *******

this is incorrect, if you have a visa then you would open the bank account in the first 30 days and put in the money. Then you apply for an extension of your visa, not for a new visa. You have to have the money in the bank account for 60 days.....your visa would be for 90 days so that is why you have to open the bank account within 30 days.

Are you on Thailand now and, if so, when did you enter?