It's a residence certificate. You will need these for things like getting a driving licence and opening a bank account.

Is it from the Thai Embassy in the Philippines?

@James ********

that's very strange. It suggests everyone must apply from the USA! Also that you need a return flight, when you are retiring to Thailand. The wording on some of these sites is terrible. Post another question asking the question and hopefully one of the moderators will confirm. I've never done this, but I have read that many others have.

@James ********

you can apply from the Philippines James.

@Steve ******

I already liked Marianne 's original suggestion of getting the non-O first, i was giving him an option in case his timescales slip. If he sticks to this timescale then yes it would work, if not he would be starting again. He probably doesn't need a tourist visa at all (I was just being cautious because of his history).

@Steve ******

he's going to Vietnam before he can get the extension.

If you think there's a risk because of your previous visits without a visa, why not apply for a tourist visa first. Then when you go to Vietnam apply online for the non-O. You can then activate the non-O when you return to Thailand, open a bank account, put the required 800k baht in the account and then extend your stay once your funds have seasoned for 2 months. As Marianne said, it's not difficult if you do it this way and no need for an agent.

Not true. The non-O and non O-A are available outside Thailand.

You can use any account, so definitely Canada. You don't need a Thai account to apply outside Thailand. I have not personally done it, but it's something that people do on a very regular basis.

As Tod said, if you already have a Thai bank account you should be okay. It's probably a bit easier to get the non-O before coming, but you can still apply for the non-O in Thailand if you have a bank account already. Go to immigration when you get here and ask for their list of requirements for the non-O and deposit 800k into your account. Good luck.