Why not simply keep your account with the 800k in and open a new account elsewhere for daily use?

I have 2 accounts like this and it makes things simpler for the annual extensions.

You are given 60 days visa exempt when you arrive and can extend this by 30 days if required.

The day you arrive counts as day 1, so be careful about how many days you stay, as I see a lots of people posting that they calculated the stay incorrectly by 1 day.

You might have a problem opening a bank account without a visa.

This is one of the only things you might need an agent to overcome the problem. I have never used an agent, but it might be worth asking advice from others as I think the cost in Bkk is high compared to other cities, so you need to check their reputation and cost. Good luck.

@Brian ********

I have done every 90 day report online, it takes 2 minutes and you receive an electronic version of the same document you get at the IO, so you can print it. What's to lose trying online 12 or 13 days in advance of the due date?

Open a bank account first and transfer the 800,000 baht ensuring the transfer shows as coming from overseas. If you use Wise to transfer the money use the code, I think it's 'long term stay in Thailand' or similar.

Make a folder with copies of all your documents.

You might need a residence certificate from immigration to open your bank account and whilst there ask them for their list of requirements for a 12 month extension of stay based on retirement.

Then collect the information they require.

Good luck, it seems complicated, but it's very simple really.

@John *********

🤣 yes, that's why I decided to forget AIS and go a few metres down the mall to another provider. It seems very strange refusing business like that, but TiT.

Brandon made a good suggestion of offering 6 months payment in advance, but at the time I never thought of that idea.

@Brook *******

naturally I had that as well.

@Brook *******

I tried 2 at different shopping malls, they both said no and I had a driving licence. I gave up and went to the 3BB shop a few metres away and they set it up in a few minutes. It's very strange, I think it might depend if you live in an expat area, as they will deal with foreigners living here more often.

@J *****************

I tried 2 at different shopping malls, they both said no and I had a driving licence. I gave up and went to the 3BB shop a few metres away and they set it up in a few minutes. It's very strange, I think it might depend if you live in an expat area, as they will deal with foreigners living here more often.

@Eddie *****

or do it yourself easily and legally in a few minutes for a couple of hundred baht.