Part of the reason for the 800k is to ensure you have the ability to cover medical expenses, or evac. This is why retirees who use O-A non immig visa have to take out health insurance before coming to Thailand. Those who apply for O visa using funds already in Thailand do not require Health Insurance. At the moment this also includes those switching to 65k p.m method after first year in Thailand, could that change , who knows!

no doubt there are embassies out there with incompetent staff but wouldn’t bank on it

@Nigel *************

I checked with our local orb I tor last year through a Thai friend, and long term stays are not an issue, couldn’t get a commitment on the 30 days “rule”

You would need to use a proxy server, and ensure you have all ID and bank requirements in order

Check on line option, UK allows you to apply for IDP on line and mail to your address in UK and get sent express mail to TH - not sure what country you are from - other option of course is take test here if you are around long enough

Horses for courses, if you take the agent route, very hard to normalize your status. You will be beholden to agent system - there is risk if they screw up or lose your passport, my passport never leaves my sight feel more comfortable with that - earn 20k a year from the money I keep here for visa, might get more in UK but then at the mercy of exch rate when I bring to Thailand…….always the risk that govt cracks down on corruption in immig which the agents feed……

@Tim ********

yip hence the IDP requirement - I got my Thai license‘s at first opportunity saved a fortune 😊

@Tim ********

seems he hasn’t - hence the contribution to the police benevolent fund

65k a month through WISE to SCB has worked for us - over 15 months now selecting correct reason for transfer is important so it shows funds come from outside Thailand.

travel made easy - no standing around in arrival queues, makes it easy to collect tourist tax as well without impacting residents…..been in place in many countries for a while now takes the aggravation away….love flying to Malaysia, Singapore and Aussie these days.