@Tod ********

would the income affidavit I just got in Bangkok be sufficient to meet the financial requirement if applying for the Non O at a consulate outside of Thailand somewhere in this region? What other purposes, other than applying for the retirement extension, does the Non O have?

Well crap. I don't think either of those is going to work. I'm planning on heading back to the states mid May. So with either case you mentioned, I still have to wait at least 60 days from getting the non O, is that correct? I don't have that much time. Is there no other way?

So when I do the border bounce, should I apply for another tourist visa, or should I apply for the non O to start with? Does it take 14-21 days to get the non O outside of Thailand as well?

No

@Beat ******

What is considered an investment?

In other words, hire a lawyer.

Thank you all for clarifying that. So what kind of yearly extension allows you to work in Thailand? I thought the only yearly extensions were for education or retirement. So let's say as an artist I want to do my art legally here in Thailand (jewelry), get paid at least 80,000 baht/month for it, pay taxes and then apply after three years. What kind of visa/extension do I need? Can I be living and making my work here, but have part of the monthly sales be overseas as long I declare them and pay taxes on them here?

@Beat ******

it looks like retirement visa is not enough.

Thank you everybody who made helpful suggestions. I'll check some of those out. And, for everybody else, interesting to see how many trolls there are in this group too. Seems to be the way with fb groups these days.

I didn't bring any proof. It's an affidavit. The embassy is just saying you told them something and they believe it.