Conversely go to Lao, apply online thru the eVisa web-portal, once you've applied then you take that confirmation and go to the lao consulate to pay for the visa and then wait in Lao until it's approved, print it out and come back getting stamped in for 90 days when you do

The reason that most people get Non-O visas from the thai consulate in their country before they come here is because it's getting harder and harder to open a bank account on a free stamp entry.

You said you already have a thai bank account so that's not an issue for you

You also most likely aren't entering on a "tourist visa" either and are just showing up 'free stamp' (60 day visa exempt) entry.

So get here, get the 60 days, get the 800K in the bank account and then when you have 3 weeks or so left on your current entry stamp GO apply for the in country 90 day Non-O visa (which you can do without having the funds seasoned at every immigration office BUT Jomtien). Pay the 2000baht, wait the 2 weeks under review period, go back get the Non-O visa and new 90 day stamp inked in

THEN

You wait until the funds are seasoned the 2 months and you have 30 days or less left on your new 90 day stamp and apply for the year extension for 1900baht. They issue that on the spot, after that buy a re-entry permit (1000baht single/3800baht multiple)and you're done..

They did respond to someone else and say they were backlogged on applications

Keep in mind single entry tourist visa/Non-O, Non-ED, Non-B can all be applied for THREE MONTHS before you're winging your way here .

Once those visas are issued you have 3 months to ENTER thailand on them, and even if you entered the day the visa was expiring you'd still get stamped in for the amount of time that visa allows

@Sophie ************

there is no requirement that you enter from your home country, they are just mentioning it,

@Sophie ************

they WERE IN their home country applying for a Non-O visa to come back to thailand, they applied too close to the date they were flying and the visa wasn't approved in time, so they came in free stamp 60 day entry and once the visa is approved they will exit/re-enter to activate the Non-O 90 day visa

you would be hard pressed to find something more vague than that gobbledygook. Talk about not spelling things out clearly 🙁

Good to know that a valid reason to enter visa exempt will work

Thanx for the update.

@Ken *********

on visa exempt entry not in extensions with valid visas

@Earl *******

well in theory the 2 free visa exempt rule 'resets' Jan 1 so you could have 2 more free stamp 60 day entries for the year 2026

However this is a post about an METV and you're asking totally unrelated questions, please make your own post

There is NO OFFICE anymore that has the 'must file a 90 day report' before you get a certificate of residence

Bangkok USED to require it, they do not any more. All you need is a valid TM30 showing you're registerered as staying in Bangkok and you can apply for a certificate of residence at the main immigration office at Chaengwattana Government Complex