@Mike ******

if this is your second, or longer, year extending your extension of stay, you must have at least bt65,000 deposited from an overseas source every month with no exceptions. You can not be short one month, and be over the next month to make up for it. It is not a cumulative total over the whole 12 months. It is at least bt65,000 every month. If one month is short then the 12 month count restarts the following month. If that happens then the bt800,000 sum in the account for at least two months is again required, as the US embassy does not issue notarized wage statements that is the only other thing immigration accepts.

It is the easiest visa, and extension, to get yourself. Get a letter from your bank showing your current balance, over bt800,000, and a letter stating the account is yours, in your name only. These can be no more than seven days old. Make copies of your passport, and take all this to immigration and for bt2000 you'll get your type O retirement 90 day visa, and the list of what you need for your one year extension, which isn't much more. It is very easy to do yourself

From all the reports I've seen, the Thai embassy in the Philippines is the fastest, and easiest. Those applying in Vietnam have the longest wait now, up to two+ weeks.

@John ********

after you get to Bangkok on the type O 90 day visa immediately open a Thai bank account in your name only, then go to immigration at Chaing Wattana, with your wife, and get the list of required documents, and pictures needed for your one year extension after the bt400,000+ has been in that bank account for at least two months, giving you time to get the rest of the documents required. Every time you go to immigration concerning your marriage visa extension always take your wife with you, or they won't talk to you, as they will tell her things in Thai that are not on the list, but required. That is how you do it. Don't try to overthink it. I'm still not sure you understand about the housebook she is listed in as a Thai citizen.

@John ********

a totally different document. It has absolutely nothing to do with where you live, or are going to live. As a Thai citizen your wife was listed in a house book. A copy of that listing is required for the original 90 day visa, AND required for the one year extension. The lease of where you live, and pictures, have absolutely nothing to do with the house book she is listed in. She should know all about it, or her relatives do.

@John ********

your wife is listed in a house book. It is not meant to show where she lives. It is further proof she is a Thai citizen. It is required.

@John ********

you need copies of the marriage certificate, and registration document, copies of the wife's ID card front and back, and copies of the Thai house book she is listed in, then copies of your passport, and personal bank statement showing a bt400,000 equivalent balance, to apply for the type O 90 day visa from the Thai embassy before you come to Thailand.

@Felicia *****

you do a SWIFT transfer from your bank, not through Western Union, or any other service like Wise.

@Alan ****

you simply come in on a visa exempt entry that is for 60 days. During your time here you want to base out of Bangkok to visit other countries, and that is no problem. You are being an actual tourist. Lots of people do this as you can go anywhere in South East Asia from Bangkok in just a few hours. There is no limit on how many times you can do this. I personally know two people that have been doing exactly what you want to do for over two years now, with no problem at all leaving, and coming back to Bangkok. You are not trying to live in Thailand long term as a tourist, and are actually being a tourist visiting other countries. All you need is your passport, and your money, and suitcase. Immigration will be no problem at all for the plan you have.

@Michael *******

only when you apply for the initial 90 day visa outside of Thailand. Inside Thailand when applying for the first one year extension immigration only accepts notarized wage statements from your embassy.