No one has reached five years yet. They may look at all the first 5 years to check that you met the requirements.

@Peter *******

It is a Bangkok Bank policy. Not immigration policy.

@Francois *******

The OA is a 1 year visa. The LTR IS A 10 year visa. Two different visas.

@Michelle ********

The current consensus is to get an O visa that doesn't require health insurance. Keep your health insurance needs separate from your visa.

I am currently on a 10 year LTR visa (which does have an insurance requirement). If you

You should come on a long stay visa such as an O, OA, OX, LTR, or Elite. If you enter on a tourist visa or DTV you will probably not be able to open an account.

@Eric ******

It’s meant for whoever can meet the financial requirements.

@Eric ******

$80,000/yr is hardly wealthy in the US. You can live well in Thailand on that though.

@Darren ******

My girlfriend has a restaurant. She hasn’t asked me for anything. We share eating and travel expenses. It works out to about

I also have an LTR and am living in Bangkok, Phra Khanong. Congratulations on your LTR.

I budgeted 150,000฿/mo and I really can’t spend that much but I am living well . . . and I have a girlfriend but she isn’t much of an expense. I agree with a previous comment, $3,000/ mo would provide a nice lifestyle.

There really is no answer to the cost of living question but Bangkok can be pricier.

I am tracking every baht this year. I recommend the extra effort to do this

There is a French croissant bakery about to open just outside my condo building. I have no idea how they do it.

There is a pastry cooking school nearby as well.

Croissants are huge in Bangkok. Pastries may not be a normal part of Thai cuisine but plenty of Thais seek out international cooking.

I found a few places in Ubon Ratchathani as well.