@Paul ********

you need the bank account first. The 800k in a thai bank account in you're name only is one of the requirements for the initial 90 day non-o based on retirement when applying in Thailand. Banks used to let people on a tourist visa open one up until recently. Even agents may not be able to help with that anymore. Unfortunately it's become a bit of a catch 22 situation.

@Tony *********

fair enough. I do think it's important to clarify though and not make a blanket statement that working is not permitted. Although the retirement is likely the most common by a fair margin, being married to a Thai is also quite common.

@Tony *********

a non-o is just a generic term and does not specify the reason. There are well over a dozen different categories of the non-o visa. The op does not specify which non-o they are getting. Non-o based on marriage, as well as others, do allow the holder to get a valid work permit and work. Others like the non-o based on retirement do not.

@Ursula ********

the easiest way is to apply for the non-o, not to be confused with the non-oa, before entering Thailand. When applying outside of Thailand the account can be from your home country. Then when you enter you should have no problem opening an account on that visa. Do this and get the money for the 1 year extension transferred right away so it is fully seasoned for the required 2 months before application. The extension does require it to be in a thai account in your name only.

As others have said you can 100% apply for this inside of Thailand. The issue that makes it difficult now is if you don't already have a thai bank account to meet the financial requirement for application inside of Thailand. Banks used to give them to people that only had a tourist visa or visa exempt but have all but stopped that recently. Even agents can likely no longer help you open a bank account. Not sure if they can still help you "bypass" having an account altogether though.

@Django *********

perhaps I misunderstood the "coming back" part. If you mean returning to the US I believe you can pause your cellphone plan so you don't lose the number. Just get a Google voice number tied to it before you do, it should still work. That'll save you $90 a month alone.

@Django *********

don't shoot the messenger. You asked for input. I've lived here for 5 years in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui and have never paid more than $350-400 a month for rent (sometimes less than $250) and average $7 or less per meal for two people as well (I actually track every dollar I spend so this is not a guess). And yes, that does include eating out at least one meal a day, with western restaurants mixed in.

@Sean *********

yeah, I pay about $8 a month for 30 gb of data. I have a Google voice number and it works for all my two step verifications. Although I do know it won't work for some.

Rent is way too high and stop eating at western restaurants. You should easily be able to cut those two items in half. Phone and wifi should cost you $20 a month tops here. Just pause your US plan and get a plan here.

@Tod ********

just curious. Is it possible for him to enter visa exempt and not use the visa? Or since it's already approved and in the system they'll know and make him use it?