@Zachariah *******

you can own a foreign business and use both elite and ltr visa. Every single elite member my age is a business owner including myself.

Ltr visa you can legally work for foreign company under certain categories, and elite will say you can as well.. Technically you can't, but even the government said they won't track you down unless they have specific reasons.

The only "missing category" is for people who do not meet Thailand requirements of "have money". I do agree some of the ltr requirements were unneedingly difficult that exclude people unnecessarly, but it's there and might get better.

This what the government wants. They don't believe it's a missing opportunity.

@Paul *******

if you have money...then use the elite or ltr visas... If you need to work, use the work visa. So yes, there are plenty of visa options for working age people or people with money (or obviously both).

What they don't have visa for is unskilled westerners without money.. And they don't want them.

@Paul *******

your statement is untrue. if you working, you need a work visa... If you "have money" then that the exact purpose of Thai elite.

It really depends on how you staying 3-6 months. Is that 6 months straight or 12 two weeks trips?

If you are one month here and two month somewhere else, then tourist visa or even visa exempt if you qualify would likely be fine.

If it's 6 months straight. Then you can check the multi entry tourist visa, that can give you 6 months with some bounces. You can also study Thai or Muay Thai and get an ED of you willing to go to class and learn.

If you doing this for more than a few years, then consider elite visa. That's going to be the best and easiest, but the most expensive option.

Scb going to be hard no on tourist visa. Bangkok Bank or krungsri are usually your best option for tourists visa... But check branches... The more you bring the better chances.

@Scot ******

notarized

I would not open a non resident account with krung Sri... I did that one before and it was completely worthless. Just try a different bank or branch. You can find someone to give you a full account even on tourist visa. It will be so much better for you.. Particularly with phone transfers and payments. Bangkok Bank is know to be the easiest, if you have a resident cert or motorized copy of passport from your embassy or immigration.

Assuming you are on tourist visa.

1. Technically no, but it's not something the government really cares about.

2. No.

@Chris ******

highly doubt that. It's just a notarized affidavit.. I am not even sure it would be legal for them deny notary service based on stating your address and notary service are still offered based the embassy website.

@Chris ******

no embassy? I can't say all but most do in various forms. In the case of US its a signed affidavit with your information.. It's been good for opening bank accounts, getting drivers license, and for buying a car... All I have used in the last year no problem.