go online and get the Thai visitor visa. If you decide to retire in Thailand then get the appropriate visa.

@John *********

Correct

We were told in July that the banks are cracking down (govt) only the O/ OA can now open bank accounts. Agents found doing otherwise will be finding themselves in trouble. They want expats to have insurance of 3,000,000 Baht. People are leaving medical bills unpaid becoming a drain. They also said to us visas will be checked more as illegal immigration is rising. Also mentioned was International drivers license and proof of where you will be staying. This was according to a lawyer doing our house purchase.

@Vicki ******

Also they were no longer doing in person at the embassy. This is for Vancouver Canada.

The embassy would not do it over the phone. Only online. They did help with questions.

if he doesn’t have a bank account already his only choice is to show 3 mths income . The visas can now be done online. We are going for the O-A retirement. Includes criminal check, insurance, proof of residence in home country. All sent online to Thai embassy in your country.

Being done around the world. Laundering of illegal activists done through banks, casinos. Quite often used for terrorist groups.

We too will be coming to Thailand end of Oct for 6 mths. We purchased a home and need to open a bank account. We are in the process of getting retirement O-A to achieve this. We are only going this route soon as possible as to get the acct. Last year we just left the country and returned. It worked well.