@Kool ******

like Graham mentions it has different financial requirements. I currently have a 1 year extension but don't really feel like pulling 400k out of my brokerage account and lose money transferring it to Thailand just to sit in an account that earns nothing. I'm going to actually switch to the 1 year visa from Savannakhet for that reason. I plan on traveling anyways so I don't think the 90 day bounce will be an issue. We'll see, worth giving it a go for me.

@Brandon ***********

is the reason you say an American can't use the monthly income method to apply for the non-o because the embassy will not provide the letter and you assume the op cannot provide the 12 months of bank statements? Or is it possible if they have the proof of transfer for 12 months and are perhaps just switching the type of visa? Asking for future reference.

@Will ***********

you're talking about getting the non-o in country. He is referring to going to Savannakhet, Laos which has different requirements and rules. It does not have the 400k financial requirement. You also do not need to leave the country to get the in country non-o.

@Shea ******

that makes sense. I suspected it was it was one of the visas that had higher requirements and expectations.

@Gray *****

the top says "tourism" because all the other details are tourist extension specific. The other graphics I've seen all have the same tips on how to dress and act at the bottom. As far as I know these graphics were not created by immigration.

@Shea ******

I realize every office is different, but from my experience so far I've yet to go to one that cared one bit. I'm curious what office and what kind of visa you're on that a suit is required. I've never seen a single person get that dressed up. The graphic being shared also says the applicant should do all the talking, yet I let my wife do 99% of it. As far as long term connections there's so many people there I don't think I've ever dealt with the same person twice.

I've worn shorts and sandels for every single interaction with immigration for 3 plus years in various cities. 90% plus of everyone else dressed the same. Never understood when people would comment that you needed to dress up for it.

@Mark ********

yeah, we know of people that have been married that long and have lived in Thailand for well over a decade and the wife was still denied. I know it's extremely difficult. My wife was denied the first time, before we were married and I still lived in the US. The second time around she also applied in Chiang Mai, which I've heard isn't quite as bad as Bangkok.

@Av *********

my thai wife got one a couple years ago and didn't need 3 years of taxes, proof of where the little money she had in her bank came from, or a bunch of visits to other countries stamped in her passport. Neither one of us is famous or rich.

I'm not saying it's easy or the things you list don't help, but it is possible without all that. Like another comment says she was able to show that I live here and have no intention of moving back to the states anytime soon. I think that can negate the need for all the other stuff.

@Mike *****

chaing Mai can definitely get cold enough in the morning and late evenings to make a hot tub nice. Hell, I just got back from looper which is always busy with people in the hot water, with no jets. I've actually searched for places that had one but like you said they are not popular here. Hot water with no jets is, with jets not so much for some reason.