I had O-A from London. On arrival in Thailand, I went to local Thai bank and showed them my 12 month visa and they gave me bank account.
Later towards the end of the visa, I got extension of stay (retirement) from Immigration. In subsequent years, when the rules were changed, I got medical insurance.
So for me, O-A with subsequent extension of stay applications, works smoothly with Immigration. I keep 800,000 in the bank untouched.
However the reason for this post is a Thai lady is asking for advice on behalf of a farang friend, who may later become her boyfriend. He is over 50 and is retired. At present, he is resident in US. He wants to apply for a visa and then get extension of stay (retirement)
I have told her about O-A but people are always saying type O is better because you don’t need to show medical insurance to immigration when you apply for the extension of stay.
However I thought type O was valid for 3 months only so when he arrives in Thailand he won’t be able to open a Thai bank account. As I understand it, you have show that you have 12 month visa. Yes, I know people can spend 2-3 days walking around town visiting all the different banks until they find a bank who give an account.
If he doesn’t have a Thai bank account he can’t show Immigration he has had 800,000 in Thailand for at least two months.
The alternative is of course to turn up on a tourist visa and then pay a visa company to sort it out with Immigration with a brown envelope but I would rather give him advice on the proper way to do things.
Because I have not had problems with my O-A and subsequent applications I can lead a quiet life and I have lost touch, and have not read any posts, with this forum in a long long time. It used to be called ThaiVisa when I used to read it.
i don’t know this man, but I would like to give proper advice to him. At present, I can’t see that the type O is the best option. Maybe you don’t need to show health insurance, but you won’t be able to open a bank account.
Thank you for any helpful suggestions you can give me to pass on to him.
