To open a bank account in Thailand, you generally need a Non-O visa. You will need this account later when applying for an extension of stay or for everyday living expenses. Getting the visa early allows you to fly over, open an account, and head back home without having to apply for an extension right away.

• You can just open the account and leave it there without depositing the full 800,000 baht yet.
• You don’t have to stay longer than 90 days.

You can apply for a 90-day Non-O retirement visa every time before coming to Thailand, without applying for an extension or keeping money deposited in Thailand.

• First trip: Apply for a Non-O retirement visa online from your home country.
  • You get a 90-day visa and can enter Thailand right away.
  • Then you leave and head back to your home country.
• Second trip: Just do the exact same thing as the first time.

How it works: Get a 90-day Non-O visa to enter Thailand, then apply for a 1-year extension at Thai Immigration and get a Re-entry Permit right away.

What you need to know about the Re-entry Permit:

• A standard Non-O visa is single-entry. If you leave Thailand without a Re-entry Permit, your visa will be cancelled immediately.
• Single Re-entry: Best if you plan to leave Thailand only once during the year.
• Multiple Re-entry: Best if you plan to travel in and out of Thailand multiple times.

Benefits: Even if you don’t stay in Thailand for the whole year, you can return to your home country and come back anytime using the remaining time on your permit. You won’t need to apply for a new visa at the embassy, just come back to renew your extension once a year.

Tip on money in the bank: It’s best to keep 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account all the time. That way, you won’t have to stress about keeping 800,000 baht in the account for 2 months before applying for the extension, and keeping at least 400,000 baht for 3 months after it’s approved.