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

So you think the official handout from immigration is wrong too? Hmmmm. When my buddy first found the "hack" in the system of getting onto 65k transfers without the 800k lump sum, he described his strategy on the "other" group and one of the mods there booted him for "spreading misleading information". But funnily enough, Tod Daniels actually went to CW to enquire if this actually happened and they confirmed it could be done. However the "other group" (also owned by an Agent) didn't like my friend possibly cutting into their business. I know now of two others plus myself who have carried out this process, it has nothing to do with "the officer you talk to" or "the day of the week". What is clear however, is the mods in this group don't like being wrong 👍✅

@Jan *****************

So because you haven't seen something, you're happy telling people it doesn't exist? There are other immigration offices other than Chiang Mai. If people want to avoid the 800k trap, perhaps they should just stay in Bangkok for a few days whilst they carry out the transaction? Or perhaps as this group is owned by an agent, it suits you to push people down the agent path?

@Jan *****************

So this published immigration handout is wrong, but you're right? 😂

@Jan *****************

Actually you're wrong. It's in the requirements for obtaining the non-O visa in-country, although the stipulation is a total of 800k, whereas 12x65k adds up to 780k, but it appears they overlook this when issuing the visa

Parliament votes on it in January. Will probably include the 300 baht tourist tax, so expect introduction in February

Still must do TM47 form and TM30 form

@Jan *****************

You leave at the end of the second "free" year of the OA without getting a re-entry permit. You don't need to cancel anything

@Ken ******

If you come in on an OA visa you'll be able to open a bank account

@Ken ******

No worries. It sure beats paying an agent 20,000 baht each year for the rest of your life. I pay 1900 baht every year for extension. The only thing is you must keep up those 65k international transfers every single month, even when you're out of the country

@Jan *****************

Unless you come in on OA and start the 65k transfers in your two-year "tenure", then switch to non-O via an out/in process