@Mary *****

I did a 90 day non-o visa even though I was only staying 1 month for the express reason of opening a bank account. Got the bank account in November and now I'm back on the 90 day non-o that will take me into my first extension. Takes some of the pressure off on getting it right away and getting that money marinating in time for your extension.

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

I believe you're right. I was reading the email wrong. It says a Thai account with a "current" balance of 800k, which I was able to get to them about 1645 today. I believe they just wanted to make sure it was me who put it there. I submitted it and paid 2k baht about 1030 this morning and if I had done it right in the first place, I would probably have an approval already.

@Gerg *********

Navy Federal credit union is the same way as far as any transfer over $5000. Must show up in person. After I saw their exchange rate, Wise was cheaper even on larger transfers.

@Pete ******

I feel like in the process of his research he got his wires crossed. Easy to do when he doesn't want to make a mistake on his future. Bright side is he got it sorted, granted with some unnecessary costs, but still accomplished what he wanted too.

@Doug *******

same thing I went through in Nong Khai. Krungthai finally opened one for me after denials from all the others.

I did it in November 2024 and May 2025 for the sole reason of opening a bank account even though I wasn't staying 90 days. It takes the stress away from trying to accomplish it within the first 90 days of your "real" non-o as some places still aren't up to speed with the 90 day non-o evisa. US passport if that helps.

@Pete ******

I feel like if you don't have the 800k for a retirement visa maybe don't retire overseas. Granted, I know a lot of people have the money, they just don't like it being stagnant in Thailand.

@Martyn **********

I just did 2.5 million for a house and no matter how I mixed it up, I was pretty close to the same as 1.6 million and 900k in the second transfer. I thought about using Navy Federal from the US because they start out at $25 for an international transfer, but after the less than mid rate exchange rate and unknown Thai charges, I opted for the known cost that Wise gives you. I just factored it in to the overall cost of the house.

@John *********

went to Nong Khai immigration today and told me I can't change to a 90 day non-o in country. They said I have to go to Laos and get it there. I've seen other posts that mentioned Nong Khai immigration not doing what some of the other offices will do

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

yes, we all just jumped over the fact that he's talking about opening a new bank account. We were talking like he is trying to fund an existing account for a visa 😞