Chiang Mai/ soon ExPat USA

Hello to all,
I am new to the sight, Hope all are well. Have a question in regards to travel to Thailand. I soon will be retiring after almost 30 years with the D.oD. I have done extensive research on my local for finally residing in Chiang Mai, and have been to Thailand and the culture, locals, ect, ect. My main question is the most painless way to obtain Visa. I understand the process could be a pain in the neck to obtain prior to travel, but am I correct when staying that I can obtain my Visa stamp on my passport upon arrival at Chiang Mai international, to carry me up to 90 days. Exchange money to THB and then proceed to my Condo, and deal with embassy, or consulate later. is this a relatively easy concept? Thanks
T.
-@tonythrom7

You have 3 options: Arrive on a 45 days visa exempt,arrive on a 60 days tourist visa or arrive on a 90 days Non-immigrant O visa. The only stamp you'll get at the airport is 45 days from the visa exempt. The other two options are (normally) obtained back home and the procedure isn't very hard. "Deal with the embassy or consulate later"? It's Thai immigration you're dealing with in Thailand. You haven't done your homework very well.

The 'best' way to get a Visa to retire in Thailand, is to do exactly that - get a retirement Visa for Thailand from your home country. If you think arriving without a Visa and going through the processes locally to get a long term 'Retirement Visa', and without a Thai partner to help with all the 'lost in translation' problems, is easy - then you are very wrong.

Go see/talk to your home country Thailand Embassy - that is one of the many things that they do - help people get Visas to visit/retire in Thailand.  Tell them what you want to do - they will help you.  A non-immigrant O-A Visa gets you 12 months after arrival - that is easy - and it gives you a lot of security and allows you to plan long term.

IMO you should arrive with a hotel booking for 1 month. If it is Chiang Mai then I recommend you join the Chiang Mai Expats Club - and go and talk with someone there about what to do. Talk to lots of people but avoid the troubled ones - there are lots of them. Check out Expat forums - not just this one.

Get a local bank account (2) is important.  During that first month in hotel find a house/condo to rent - get a car/bike (get local licence too). Take your time and be very careful - newbies are the favourite 'target' for scammers - both Thai and Expat scammers.  It will take a while to find out what you need to know about what to do and what not to do. Visiting somewhere is one thing, but living there is totally different.

@tonythrom7 Change money at the bank.

The closer you get to the gate at the airport (and I mean physically closer), the rate is worse.

Don't change big Money at the airport, and it's actually a better rate at the front of the airport than in the interior, even with the same bank!

Change at the banks, and I HIGHLY recommend Kasikorn for service, but it is possible to open up a bank account on a tourist visa with only Bangkok Bank.

***

To open up a bank account with Bangkok Bank on a tourist visa you need two things: (1) a certified copy of your passport from the embassy or the consulate in Chiang Mai and (2) an address to connect the bank account to. Also, it is at the discretion of the bank.

Best of luck. You will enjoy your retirement in the Chang Mai area.

Dave,

Thanks for the response. Much appreciated. I have associates that are currently living in Thailand, and everyone has different experiences, so it’s good to get different views.

T.

@tonythrom7 Change money at the bank.
The closer you get to the gate at the airport (and I mean physically closer), the rate is worse.
Don't change big Money at the airport, and it's actually a better rate at the front of the airport than in the interior, even with the same bank!

Change at the banks, and I HIGHLY recommend Kasikorn for service, but it is possible to open up a bank account on a tourist visa with only Bangkok Bank.

***

To open up a bank account with Bangkok Bank on a tourist visa you need two things: (1) a certified copy of your passport from the embassy or the consulate in Chiang Mai and (2) an address to connect the bank account to. Also, it is at the discretion of the bank.

Best of luck. You will enjoy your retirement in the Chang Mai area.
-@JacktheLawyer

"an address to connect the bank account to."

Any address is not accepted. Since early 2022 Bangkok Bank doesn't "officially" accept a hotel as a permanent address. They also "officially" (thats the keyword) don't accept an applicant on a tourist visa. But several branches still do.

Dave,
Thanks for the response. Much appreciated. I have associates that are currently living in Thailand, and everyone has different experiences, so it’s good to get different views.

T.
-@tonythrom7

Official requirements regarding immigration issues in Thailand have nothing to do with "different experiences and views." They are written in stone. You shouldn't listen to your so called "associates".

Dave,
Thanks for the response. Much appreciated. I have associates that are currently living in Thailand, and everyone has different experiences, so it’s good to get different views.

T.
-@tonythrom7
Official requirements regarding immigration issues in Thailand have nothing to do with "different experiences and views." They are written in stone. You shouldn't listen to your so called "associates".
-@Leeds forever!

So you learn nothing in you time in Thailand ?

Nothing it set in stone here.

The police order (Immigration law) is guide line to help Immigration office to say yes or no.

It is not a law where if you A-B-C That you 100% you going to get what you want.

And the end of the day it is up to the person you run into on the day at Immigration, What that person want or need.

The same person can even change requirements from person to person for the same thing .

People for sure need to stop listen you.

I starting to doubt you every being to Thailand, When you write Bull like this, " They are written in stone"

Or like someone other write about you, You a Troll !!!!

@Guest9721 Hello,

first you will come to try and stay in Thailand as short term as you want.  And if you need a long-term stay Retirement I am a nurse and can recommend long-stay accommodation for you.  and help with visas for the way you want to stay in Thailand  If you want help in any area or want to ask more questions, I'm happy to help.

Hello Jintana yeethong,

Welcome to Expat.com

Thank you for taking the time to reply but Guest9721 isn ot longer a member of the forum.

This account has been deleted.

I suggest you browse the Chiang Mai forum to see if you can help other members.

Cheers,

Cheryl

Expat.com team