Yes you can. I got myself a Non O a couple of years before I made the permanent move here. I got a Non O from the UK before arriving then sorted the extension when I got here. You need to make sure you are in Thailand each year when your Extension is due and, obviously, to get a re-entry permit each time. Agents in Pattaya can get your extension up to 3 months before it’s due which gives you more flexibility over your visits. The main issue at the moment is getting a bank account and even with a Non O from Australia they are likely to want other things like a Thai mobile phone account in your name, rental agreement or property details (if you have a Thai wife it might be easier). Agents can still get you a bank account with certain banks but at a higher fee than previously. I still think it would be better if you got a Non O before arriving.

Yes, an agent can do it. In Pattaya they can get the extension up to 3 months before it’s due, which gives you flexibility. You’ll have to check with agents elsewhere if it’s the same. Go to your bank to ask for the ‘letter for immigration’ and bank statements. Again in Pattaya, agents only require 3 months statements not 12. Also need your most recent TM30 and photos. Some may require rental contract. Cost is a 8000 baht and you usually get your passport back in 2 days.

All this assumes you meet the financial requirements for your extension.

YES

This isn’t about a strict 50k a day limit but rather to encourage banks to profile customers on their past history to help prevent fraud. So customers with a history of larger transfers can still have a higher limit.

Bangkok Bank allow me to set my own limits within the App up to 1 million baht. I recently changed my limit to the max for a very large purchase. No poblem whatsoever.

Unless you’ve left the country or moved address you don’t need a new TM30. I’m still using the one I was given last November.

this notice is from Chiang Mai. The Pattaya Beach Rd branch told a customer the same thing this week.

You will need to have 800k baht in a Thai bank account for your first extension but can use the income for subsequent ones as long as you transfer at least 65k baht to a Thai account every single month without fail and it shows as an international transfer. The address shouldn’t be a problem.

If you are applying for the ‘Retirement’ option then you need 800k. You can send as much as you like by bank transfer but your Australian bank might ask for reasons and flag for confirmation.

You need to give more information. If you don’t already have a Non O visa, if you don’t already have a bank account, if you don’t have 800k to put in a bank account then 55k isn’t unheard of now due to the crackdown on bank accounts. Otherwise, it’s far too much.

@Lawrie ******

Have you always been a twat?