@Michael *******

and this is why I chose the 800k option. Now I don't have to worry about it at all.

@Osian *******

wrong I keep two accounts. One only hold a little over 800k. Just in case I get hit by an unexpected tax, or similar.

@Philip ******

I got a residence certificate at my local immigration in about 15 minutes and 200 baht tea money.

@Vaughn *********

I believe I got an initial 3 months and then you start doing 12 month extensions. It was not hard, just ask your local immigration what is required. But I already had a bank account because I initially came in on an OA visa.

@Alastair *******************

I have a friend who went down this path, and the bank still would not open a bank account for him.

@George ******

I opened a separate account for my visa money. So there are only a couple of transactions each year.

@George ******

my Bangkok Bank has always done it while I wait.

Don't you need to get the re-entry permit from Thai immigration before you leave Thailand, or you will have to start your visa process all over again? Or am I missing something?

@Alex *********

I swapped from the OA to the O visa as a personal choice. I still kept up health insurance although it is no longer compulsory. I had been on the OA for about 16 months when I swapped. I considered swapping to the OX 5 year visa, but that only allows 2 x 5 years. I decided it was easier to just switch to the O Retirement Visa and be done with it. I opted for the 800k in my Thai bank account, rather than mucking around with the 65k every month. Sure you get very little interest on the money, but I don't have to worry with ensuring I transfer the 65k every calendar month. If you miss a month, you go back to square one in applying for the visa again. I just transfer when I need more spending money.

@Porky *****

when I applied for my O visa, to replace my OA visa, I had to provide a map showing my girlfriend's house location. We had to have photos taken of us at the house both outside and inside. She then sent the photos to him electronically. But there was no home visit. I did not have to do any of this for my first extension of stay.