My wife and I are planning our second retirement in Pattaya early next year. We are planning on entering on a 60 day tourist visa. We are planning on applying for a wealth visa after arrival. We will have a 30 lease agreement from our son and daughter in law which is Thai. My son is on the lease but will not live with us. We are 80 and 78 years old and have $100,000 set aside in a US bank account for the past year. This is a requirement if you plan to being self-insured.  We can meet the requirements as for as income. We don’t plan on returning to the US anytime that year but staying in Thailand. Is this possibly or should will apply for a 5 year elite visa and after 5 years get a wealth visa.
We need to open a Thai bank account but plan on having enough US funds to live comfortably for the rest of the year if need be. We have a small Yorkie dog that will be with us upon arrival. My son which has now three condos, says we should be able to do this with a good agent. We were in Thailand last year for 7 weeks.
Thank you.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquires about their plans to retire in Pattaya, Thailand, entering on a 60-day tourist visa and seeking to apply for a wealth visa afterwards, given they meet financial requirements. They discuss needing a Thai bank account and potential visa options, including the Thai Elite Visa and LTR wealthy pensioner visa. Comments provide insights on the inability to open a bank account on a tourist visa, recommend the LTR visa as a better option for long-term residency, and express concerns about navigating the visa application process.
LONG TERM RESIDENT (LTR) VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES