@Mike *****

as far as the letter is concerned I don't need to read Thai because it's a standardized letter in the bank's computer system of which an English translation exists. I have always submitted the letter in English before but yesterday I submitted it in Thai. And I have now completed my one year extension for the 20th year running. So I'm not a newbie at this. I think I just noticed that with the English version the IO would take the letter into the supervisor to make sure she understood it whereas yesterday the whole process was done by what looked like a junior clerk and maybe it sped up the process a bit.

@Ray *******

you can apply for a non O within Thailand even if you enter on a 30 day visa exemption. That's how I got my retirement visa.

@Jesper ******

yeah that makes sense.

@Ciarán ******

if you use an agent.

@Jesper ******

I asked the question because although my letter has always been in English, I was just wondering what immigration prefers. Anything to make life easier for all parties concerned in getting the damned thing done.

@Anna ********

if the banks accept a Non O visa to open an account then that shouldn't be a problem. You can get a 3 month non O in Thailand and then open a bank account and deposit 800k and seed it for 2 months and then extend for one year if it's an extension based on retirement.

If it's a non-OA that would be obtained in the home country.

@Anna ********

I got my long-term non O visa in Thailand which is the preferred way for many people.

@Robert ********

It's crazy. Things have really changed. I opened my Thai bank accounts more than 20 years ago when any foreigner could walk into a bank and immediately open an account with just their passport.

@Anna ********

but you have to open the bank account before you get the visa. Immigration will tell you that you need a bank account to get a long-term visa and when you go to the bank they will say you can only have a bank account if you have a long-term visa. Lol!

@Stephen *******

three chickens?