Can a Non Immigrant OA visa holder convert to a Non Immigrant O visa in Thailand without insurance?

Question

I have been requested by a non member friend to seek the group's guidance on an issue concerning the conversion of their existing 12 month approval of extension to stay in Thailand. The original visa granted to the holder was Non Immigrant OA on the basis of retirement.
The holder of this E o.S would now like to convert the category of his visa to that of Non Immigrant "O", thereby removing the requirement for the pre requisite Insurance.
Can any members enlighten us as to the feasibility of this change, preferably a member who has had direct experience of this type of conversion.
The IO that this request would be made through would be the Surin, Isaan office.
The holder of this extension of stay has been renewed several times without any issue.
The person would now like to not need to carry the burden of the required insurance coupled with the O A category

Ask Thailand · Answer

A holder of a Non Immigrant OA visa in Thailand cannot convert their existing extension to a Non Immigrant O visa directly. Instead, they need to obtain a Non Immigrant O visa based on retirement from scratch. This involves leaving Thailand and applying for the Non O visa at a Thai embassy or consulate outside of Thailand, or entering on a tourist visa and then applying for the Non O visa inside Thailand. It is also noted that staying long-term without insurance is considered negligent.

Galen ******* · Answer

As far as the procedure is concerned, you have received very good information.  However, I would like to emphasize that long-term stay without insurance is very negligent.

James ******** · Answer

Thanks Ellie 👍I appreciate your reading the OP post correctly. My error 😞.

Ellie ******* · Answer

He cannot "convert" an extension based on retirement from Non-OA entry to an extension from Non-O retirement inside Thailand.

He needs to get Non-O based on retirement from scratch so that he doesn't have to be required to have specific insurance.

He needs to leave Thailand without a re-entry permit and needs to enter Thailand on a visa-exempt or tourist visa so that he can apply for an in-country Non-O visa based on retirement.

OR, he leaves Thailand, apply for and get Non-O based on retirement at the Thai embassy/consulate outside Thailand, enter Thailand on that Non-O, and then apply for a 1-year extension based on retirement.

Can a Non Immigrant OA visa holder convert to a Non Immigrant O visa in Thailand without insurance?

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