@Carla ******

I thought you were from the USA and if so, that Embassy will not provide the affidavit required to negate the requirement to have 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account. If you are from another country, double check the Embassy definitely provides the affidavit.

The non O is the retirement visa (if you choose that option).

Get it online from the Thai Embassy before you come to Thailand. When you get to Thailand, open a bank account immediately and deposit 800,000 baht each in your accounts. Go to immigration and get their list of requirements to extend your stay for 12 months and start collecting the necessary documents. Once your money has been in your Thai account for 2 months apply for the extension.

It used to be possible to enter Thailand on a tourist visa, but the banks have stopped opening bank accounts unless you already have a long term visa.

It's virtually impossible to open a bank account in Thailand without a long term visa, so it's a much better idea to get the non O visa before coming to Thailand. It also means you don't need an onward flight and you need one visit less to the immigration office.

@Ant **********

seems more like a classic sales technique...here's something I am going to tell you that you need and if you don't buy it now, it will be gone!

@Daniel ***********

you need the 800,000 for the first extension and for the second extension you need proof of 12 monthly deposits of at least 65,000 baht.

@Mary *****

not possible, it must be in a Thai bank. It's even getting difficult to open an account inside Thailand with a long term visa.

@Mark ***

that's what I did too. Opening a bank account seems to be very difficult currently, so good luck with that, but you seem very organised and intelligent, so I am sure you will manage it.

Difficult one to answer this Mark, you seem to know what you are doing already. I would get a short term rental for a month to start, then when you have opened your bank account look at getting a 1 year lease, ready for your 12 month extension application. If you already have a non O and bank account with the funds, there should be no reason for your application to be rejected.

If you can do the 90 day report online before the move to Hua Hin I would. Getting the yellow book took ages for me personally and caused me some stress. Before anyone says it, I know lots of people seem to get the yellow book with one visit to the Amphur and very little documentation, but for me it involved; the UK Embassy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and translations as well as 3 or 4 trips to the Amphur. I have possibly upset someone at the Amphur by dressing smart and being polite🤷

You must have got a non O visa originally, so you don't need health insurance.