It's hillarious when you catch folk out with their previous posts where they have totally ignored the advice being offered and ask the same question again ... definitely a bit of a Sherlock Holmes in you Tod!. 🧐 😉😁😂
... you don't need a certified translator. My wife does any translating we need and simply goes with the document to the MoFA for checking and stamping.
Even for my first ever extension back in April, these was no home visit by Chiang Mai immigration but we went to their office with a neighbour for what really was a very informal chat. That said, I had previously been on non O ME visa for years so I had lots of history.
... but you either have the 40k/month or the 400k banked and which ever way, yes you need to show statements but the OP doesn't want 400k tied up all the time and is looking for any other options to meet the required funding.
... yes I considered that as they were very helpful when I originally enquired about the extension and when I went to apply. I'm not at all worried but if I'm up that way on Monday I'll pop in and ask.
... I got the handout for applying but when I applied they just told me to come back on the date stamped in my passport, they didn't mention any documents.