@Ronald ******

You can’t use it for the first year only subsequent years. You’ll need to be able to transfer 800k into your Thai bank account immediately when you open it for the first year, or pay extra to the agent if you use one - but that ‘might’ complicate it for the second year.

@Ronald ******

it needs to be transferred from overseas each month (and clearly identifiable as from overseas) and it must be at least 65k every single month without fail.

I’ve heard of some offices also insisting on proof it’s from a pension, but I think it’s a minority.

In Pattaya probably 30-35k for bank account, visa and first extension (so 15 months in total).

Subsequent years depends on if you’ll have 800k in bank and if you want Reentry permits so 8000- baht each year approximately.

For the initial visa in your home country then, yes, an international plan is fine - I used one.

For extension of stay for the Non O-A visa in Thailand the policy must be from one of the approved Thai companies only.

@Andy *******

All of them have the requirement, as it’s the actual rule from Thai Immigration , but it’s a matter of how the check in staff decide to deal with it. I’m on a Thailand forum and many members have been asked at check in. Some have had to buy an onward ticket on their phones at the airport to be allowed to fly. Other check in staff don’t bother so it’s inconsistent.

@Michael **********

Just be aware that at check in the airline ‘might’ ask to see a ticket out of Thailand within 60 days.

There is no 90 day Tourist Visa. The visa is 60 days, but can be extended for another 30 in Thailand. However, as they’ve just increased the Visa Exempt entry to 60 days, which can also be extended, there’s really no point getting a Tourist Visa.

You can get one at the airport. Just make sure you don’t go through immigration first. Also any office you are close to should be fine - but you never know in Thailand!

To apply for a Non O visa in the USA you do not need a Thai bank account and you do not need health insurance. You just need to show a minimum balance of $ in your US bank account.

When you get to Thailand you can open a Thai bank account and transfer the 0 baht into it ready to get your first annual Extension towards the end of your 90 day initial stay.

You do not require Health insurance for the extension on this visa.

Try Fulfil Pharma in Pattaya or Medisafe Pharmacy in Bangkok. They deliver and can be much cheaper. A friend had been paying 4400 baht a month for one of his meds, now he’s paying less than half that.