There's an easy way and a difficult way...

Easy - get a non-O retirement visa online from the Thai Embassy before coming to Thailand.

Difficult - Travel to Thailand without the non-O and hope a visa agent can sort it for you.

It used to be quite easy to come to Thailand without a visa and apply inside Thailand, but the banks will not open a bank account for you now, so it makes it very difficult.

@Ismael **************

retirement visa is much easier. Many people that are married to Thai women (like me) get the retirement visa to avoid the difficulties. Go to your local immigration office to get their list of requirements as every office has different requirements. If it's the 800,000 baht that's making you choose the spouse visa, you can switch to the monthly 65,000 baht method at the second extension and withdraw the 800,000.

I think I read that Bangkok insist on 90 day report first, but other immigration offices (like Hua Hin) don't require the 90 day report, so you might be better stating which office you use.

This situation seems to be happening a lot since the recent crackdown, it must be really annoying for them. Have they asked what they need to provide to open an account? They might need an agent to help or maybe travel Surat Thani to see if they are more accommodating there?

@Carlos ********

I love that movie. Do your carers let you watch TV?

Get the non O retirement or marriage visa from the Thai Embassy before coming back to Thailand. They last for 3 months but then can extend for 12 months and you will then need to extend annually, but extensions are relatively easy to do yourself. The retirement option is the easiest. They require funds in a Thai bank (k), but if you transfer a monthly sum to your account (k) you can use the monthly deposits instead of having money in the bank for the second extension and withdraw the lump sum. Good luck.

@Robert ********

never thought of that. I remember a Canadian friend told me his beautiful house in Vancouver was not really worth anything, it was the land that was valuable. Seems alien to people from the UK like me as the house itself has at least equal value.

@Robert ********

you can own a house, but not the land.

@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.