@Allan *************

why make it more complicated and be forced to use an agent?

Much easier now to get the visa before coming to Thailand, since they made it virtually impossible to open a bank account without a long term visa.

@Tracy ****************

yes.

I don't know which country and organisation you work for, but are you sure you are allowed to work from abroad?

I used to work for the Government and it was forbidden in my area.

As others have stated it is not necessary, but if you want to change to the monthly income method in a year, you need to deposit 65,000 Baht per month for 12 months to qualify next year.

@Steve ***************

me too, sadly opening bank accounts in Thailand is much more difficult now.

@Jim ******

yes, the Non O visa is for 90 days and is not a tourist visa, that's the reason you can open a bank account with it.

@Steve ***************

me too. I did it before it became impossible to open a bank account in Thailand without paying an agent. Much easier now to get the non O before you come to Thailand.

@Steve ***************

there is a choice in your home country;

1. Non OA (requires insurance, criminal checks and medical)

2. Non O does not require any of the above, but you must deposit 800,000 in a Thai bank account to be able to extend your stay when you get here.

Seems like you probably chose the wrong visa, most people choose the Non O.

@Steve ***************

there is no insurance requirement with the non O visa, you are confusing it with the non OA (hardly anybody uses that anyway). The non O - 90 day is the retirement visa, once here he can extend his stay by 12 months, but this is an extension based on retirement and not a visa.

@Jim ******

definitely to be avoided, I agree.

It's a very simple process, if you arrive with your non O visa, you can then open a bank account, deposit 800k, wait 2 months then apply at immigration for the extension of stay based on retirement. I have extended mine 3 times now and it takes me less than an hour. It is 1 simple form to complete and lots of photocopies of your documents etc, no need for an agent. Good luck.