@Bill ********

for GoGo’s and bars absolutely. For night clubs maybe close to Soi 11 or Ekkamai

Ibis styles Phra Khanong, 5 minute walk to BTS couple of stops from the big shopping malls along Sukhumvit

@John *********

arrived as tourist and converted to non-o the 1st year. Now going into the third year so all sorted. Next renewal in a month.

I really wanted to go non-o for the added flexibility in selecting medical insurance outside of the Thai approved list. Applying from within the US it seemed difficult as the closest Thai embassy was in Los Angeles. Plus required police reports, medical reports, etc. etc.

@John *********

good point. I didn’t think about acquiring and non-o before coming based on funds in a originating country account.

I not sure how renewing the extension the following year would be handled regarding the bank account funding though.

If you already arrive with the non-o visa in theory you should be able to open a bank account and deposit the required funds and then submit the application for extension.

I was not able to get a bank account opened when I first arrived so I did hire an agent to get that handled.

Using an agent to get the bank account opened and process the immigration documentation correctly can be helpful first time around.

Beware! It is best to have your own funds ad required for the visa you are requesting. If the agent funds the account it is not legal and you will not meet the qualifications for renewal next year.

@เดแคลน **********

this statement is absolutely WRONG.

Walk across the border into Mexico they don’t even say Hola.

@Paul ******

same here! Even though I had the money the agent still deposited the funds and immediately withdrew later the same day. I then deposited my funds into the account. But next years renewal the bank would not certify the funds stayed in the account for the post extension 3 month period.

@กะลาสี ****

but you are purposely leaving out the illegal 800k bank account funding by the agent that so often is part of the 28k baht fee.

And then the money is withdrawn immediately so the required balance of 800k for 3 months after the extension is granted is not there. Likely invalidating the extension and absolutely requiring one uses a agent again next year. Continuing the illegal practice.

@Carsten ***********

i will test again but at my last visit to immigration they told me if the address has not changed and I did the TM30 after arrival it should work online