Now all Thai embassies/consulates are on eVisa system. No appointment any more. You must apply for a new visa on eVisa system by choosing the embassy/consulate you want to apply to.

You will go to the embassy/consulate in Laos to pay the fee without an appointment, once you complete your application (except for the fee payment) online.

You can start uploading documents in advance to prepare. But you cannot complete your application until you upload the entry stamp to Laos.

As a general rule (as in the Police Order), the seasoning period for your funds for an extension application based on being married to a Thai is two months as of the application date.

But some offices may ask you to have three months. Better to check with your local immigration office for their latest and detailed requirements.

If you apply for an extension based on being married to a Thai, there is no requirement that funds have to be internationally transferred. You just need to have maintained 400K baht for 2 months as of the extension application day.

@Andrew ********

, if OP can get an affidavit from his embassy in Thailand, he doesn't have to have a bank account in Thailand.

Q. can I come with Visa exemtion and confert it to extension of stay based on retired?

-> No. You cannot apply for an extension based on retirement directly to your visa-exempt entry.

First, you need to apply for an initial in-country Non-O visa based on retirement for 90 days. Then apply for a 1-year extension based on the same reason when your Non-O stamp is remaining for 30 days or less. This initial visa and the first extension have to be applied to the same immigration office.

As you said, if you can get an affidavit from your embassy in Thailand, it's possible to apply for an in-country initial Non-O based on retirement. Check with your local immigration office for detailed requirements with timeline once you arrive there.

office

The steps seem to be legit. You need to keep both balances more than 400K baht during switching.

You need a transaction report from your old bank from the application date until the transfers are completed. That shows you meet the requirements: keep 800K baht for three months after a new extension is approved, and keep 400K baht for the rest of the year.

Q. 1. Do i need to keep the old bank open until the extension renewal, or showing the overlap of transactions between old and new bank is good enough? (Will not keep old bank)

-> You don't need to keep both accounts; logically, you need the new one. BUT, I'd keep both account until the new extension is approved with using a new account. I don't know what'd happen if the immigration office asks for more documents or information, but the account has already been closed.

Q. 2

That is totally up to you, and sadly, this group doesn't advise about "which bank should I get an account?" type questions. Sorry..

@Dave *********

, isn't it proof of international transfer anyway?

Yes, if you want to apply for an initial in-country Non-O visa based on retirement, you have to prove your funds are internationally transferred. That is in the requirements (police order).

You can also apply for a Non-O single-entry for 90 days in a neighbouring country or before you fly to Thailand, to enter Thailand on it.

Not anytime. Depending on your local office, you have to wait until you have days or less remaining at the earliest.

Most offices accept 1-year extension applications within the last 30 days. There are some offices, such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and a few more, that allow you to apply for it when you have 45 days or less with your stamp.

Check with your local office for their policy.

You can apply for a 30-day tourism extension first, then apply for an initial in-country Non-O visa.

Be careful to count remaining days if you want to get a 30-day extension. Chiang Mai has a policy of remaining days of stamp that is actually 15 WORKING days, and there are several holidays in December - January.