I just did the license, it took 1 week to get certificate of residency and 205 baht to get license in Nong Khai. I already had the 90 day non-o visa. Even after that a bank account was a huge problem .
The thing I like most about these Issan immigration offices are the times to completion. Nong Khai's are about the same and they are true to their word. TM30 took all of 7 minutes.
I got the e-visa for my limited trip in hopes it helps me open a bank account. Whole bunch of no's on the visa exempt trips in the past. It would be nice to have a bank account ahead of time so I could transfer money when the rates are more favorable.
but if you save $1500 by flying a month earlier, you just gained $1500 for on the ground expenses. Those monies are what make a trip memorable, not your flight.
If you did something like this to start out your stay in Thailand, even though you are over 50, would it have an effect on moving to a non-o visa later?