Have expats on a retirement visa faced difficulties at Thai immigration?

Question

With all the Visa issues people have been having, I decided it was probably best to get the retirement Visa, since I waited 6 years to be old enough to qualify.  I have the 800k and saved hard enough in the last 6 years to not have to worry about not having the "800k" for maybe 15 more years.  My first application will be from my own country using funds from bank accounts there.   Apparently I can get close to 2 years leaving before the date (if that is still allowed) and returning. Future extension done from Thailand with funds in a Thai account.

So my question is, given all the crap people are going through, has anyone on a retirement Visa been given a hard time at immigration?  I am hoping when everything is done correctly there are no problems.  I am a little concerned that even when you do everything they ask for, someone probably got put through the ringer just for immigration staff trying to 'do their job'.  Should I have 20k on me? Details of my property here? Or is just having a retirement (non O) sufficient for a non hassle return to Thailand?

Edit note:. I have for the last two years used an APEC entry (90 days Visa waiver, allowed 1-2 days to work without permit). So I have around 12 entries into Thailand in the passport (3 month stint with an Ed Visa in the middle of APEC enties) The APEC is a golden ticket, but does not allow my name on my property (needs a Non O). So I am getting a Non O

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user is concerned about potential complications upon returning to Thailand on a retirement visa (non-O) after having experienced visa issues previously. They have saved enough money to meet the requirements for the visa and want to confirm whether having the correct documentation and funds will ensure a hassle-free experience at immigration. Commenters shared their experiences, noting that many have had smooth entries with no significant issues related to their retirement or OA visas, though there were mentions of occasional scrutiny for frequent travelers.

Tod ********* · Answer

and as this has turned from a thread about an O-A visa to one about how to get your name on a chanote

We are done.

Stuart ********* · Answer

To answer your question.  I’ve so far made 5 entries (4 exits) into Thailand (2 via BKK and 3 via Phuket) on 2 separate OA visas.  Never been greeted with anything less than a friendly smile, no questions and a stamp in for 12 months.   Can’t recommend this visa highly enough.

Steve ********** · Answer

Hi, I came in through BKK on August 16,2019, with OA Visa issued from Thai Embassy in Washington D.C.

The BKK Immigration official stamped me in very quickly for the initial 1 year.

No questions about money etc. were asked.

The only question that came up was that the immigration stamp applied to the visa from the embassy was covering the A, so it was difficult to see the OA at a distance. But everything went smoothly.

Tod ********* · Answer

There is NO, (as in not a bit) of verifiable information out there that anyone on an O-A visa has ever had trouble when applying for a yearly extension after they managed to wring two years of stay out of their O-A.

I know someone who had 4 O-A visas in his passport (meaning he had been here 8 years on them) who went right to a yearly extension of stay without issue at the immigration office.

FWIW: This was up in Chiang Mai AND he didn't have any issues from them

Duncan ******* · Answer

[mention redacted] in theory you should be fine as you're getting the right visa, that said, there was this story on Thaivisa the other day, guy got hassled even though he did have a Non-Imm O but in context he'd had a lot of recent entries.

[url redacted]

Have expats on a retirement visa faced difficulties at Thai immigration?

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