@Paul *******

see that was what I was thinking. Most probably, I will get the NON O-A a month or 2 before I arrive and must include a copy of it with my shipment to be eligible for the ‘duty-free’ status. That means I may not even enter the Kingdom until maybe 3 months after my VISA is issued but guarantee that I will have that 6 month window in my ‘favor’.

Even though my comments mention ‘shipping’, it is the VISA information that will determine my application date for the NON O-A and how that will affect the logistics of shipping date, my arrival in the Kingdom, and how much of my first year will be lost.

This group has answered all the questions and ‘cleared the fog’ for this ‘1st time VISA’ 71 year old, future Thailand retiree. Thank you.

@Tod ********

yes, I knew that. The shipping was contingent on the ‘effective start date’ of a NON O-A visa. I wasn’t asking for any shipping information. Thanks though.

@Tod ********

thanks Todd.

@Mark ******

thanks Mark. I actually don’t arrive in BKK until March 30 and jump back on the return plane until April 29.

@Tod ********

perfect. As I said I will already have the thai bank account and will use that bank to pay local bills.

Thank you. You have left ‘no stone unturned’. I was in CM last August for 30 days. Lived in UDORN in ‘69-70 when active duty.

Obviously, those of us that do not have any history with VISAs anywhere, appreciate what information this group provides. Yes, it is sometimes as ‘clear as mud’ but reading all the comments helps a lot.

@Tod ********

actually this last explanation made perfect sense to me. Yes, I understand the 90 day reporting. My plan it to get a bank account with the BKK bank in New York, then confirm its validity in BKK when I arrive on March 30. My question is do I have to start my 65K ‘proof of income’ deposit to my Thai bank account immediately to be ready for the future VISA 1 year extensions.