I was asked by the SCB bank for the Yellow House book in order to open an account with them when I required a Thai bank account in order to deposit my 800k for the 12 months retirement extension. My wife and I approached our local Amphur in Far East Isaan and got a similar set of requests, including involving the local headman and his two underlings in the process and also neighbours and relatives of my wife from our village. My wife dealt with all this and I basically only had to turn up for photos and to sign things. The most inconvenience was with the passport verification, it being a second passport and not the one I was married under. (It also had 10 years validity and was the one my Non-O was registered with). It took me 16 days to get an appointment with the British Embassy in Bangkok. We made the most of it and booked a long weekend in Bangkok to accommodate the passport verification and translation. No big deal, just a hotel bill and two return flight costs for a pleasant time there. We got the translated verification certified by our local MFA office and reported back to the local Amphur office. Once that was presented there was a meeting arranged with the headman and villagers at the local Amphur office and all the signing off was done by everyone. One further visit to get my photographs and fingerprints taken and I got issued my Yellow House Book and also my Pink ID card. Sounds a lot more onerous than it actually was thanks to my wife’s input.

Stephane Handshin Like getting married. You need to make an appointment at your embassy to get your passport verified then the verification translated by an authorised translation company and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (MFA. There are local offices other than Bangkok).

@Melanie ***************

I used to come in visa exempt frequently, for short periods of time, staying at my wife’s home mainly. I never encountered any problems and was only ever asked how long I was staying this time on the rare occasions I was ever asked. Then stamped through no problem. This was into 2025 since when I entered Non-O retirement and have a 12 months extension and multi re-entry permit. I am aware things are tightening up but I see it mainly against people staying 60 days then extending or doing border bounces and basically taking the piss. There is a DTV available and METV as well as Non-O, Non-OA etc. so there’s no reason for Immigration to continue tolerating perceived abuse.

When using Wise lately there has always been the option to say whether it is an international transfer, if you want to record this. As people have already said, it is not a requirement for the initial 400k or 800k deposit.

Pat Trick Complete rubbish I’m afraid. Why would you reply to a genuine question with self manufactured rubbish like this?

Mark Bishop Don’t think Thailand have started executing tourists yet!

The banks don’t need to know your full story! If questioned about the lease you don’t need to tell them you intend to leave the country. You can say that your accommodation is a short term arrangement until you can find something more suitable. From what I gather you’ll be better to involve a Thai person acting on your behalf, so the suggestion to use an agent to assist you seems sensible, but use your own funds for the bank accounts. Also be aware that some bank managers don’t like dealing with people who are in their seventies and older!

Get a METV

Your 800k must remain untouched for the seasoning period and normally for 2 months after the extension has been granted.

CopperMouse547 You should be able to get 45 days visa free entry to Vietnam. If you qualify you could use that then modify your arrangements with more time for thought?