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How can I stay in Thailand for a year to experience all seasons before applying for a retirement visa?
Mar 27, 2026
a month ago
Jason ********
ORIGINAL POSTERIs there a way to stay in Thailand for 1yr to experience all seasons before I do retirement visa.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around methods for staying in Thailand for a year prior to applying for a retirement visa. Various visa options are suggested, including the NON-OA (Retirement Visa), which provides a long-term stay without immediate monetary requirements in Thailand, contingent on having health insurance and meeting specific income or savings standards. Other alternatives discussed include obtaining a multiple-entry tourist visa or an education visa for a year-long stay. Comments emphasize the difference in Thai seasons and jokingly critique the perception of weather.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Maria *************
If you are +50, get the NON-OA visa, read the requirements for that visa on you local e-visa page.
Hugh **********
That’s the one I’m going for.
Jim *******
What a rubbish post by the OP it is.
John **********
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Aniket **********
March to June end, you are going to be roasted and dried..
Simon ********
Just head to Pattaya for two weeks initially, you'll meet lots of female lawyers in the bars and clubs who can advise on visas, property purchases, and banking etc.
Capable********
South east Asia, never been? More to experience then just the weather
Kevin ****************
Listen to the expat bar owners and their vlogger mates and those trying to sell units in complexes and there is only one season. "High season. " which is now two weeks mid Dec to very early January in Pattaya. Songkran lasts longer hahahaha.
For a "real" answer go to Thai Embassy site to check options available to "you."
For a "real" answer go to Thai Embassy site to check options available to "you."
Jared ********
Take 4 holidays
Jason ********
ORIGINAL POSTERDidn’t realise how dumb people really are. Or they just can’t read
Wayne *******
Jason Tormay Hardly anyone ever answers the question asked!!! I think most of society is basically retarded if we go by FB alone!
Its like going to a crazy bar, sitting in the corner and watching everything unfold 😄
Its like going to a crazy bar, sitting in the corner and watching everything unfold 😄
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Wayne *******
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Bob **********
No
Jord ******
Education visa may be a good option? Gets you 1 year plus it’s handy to get an understanding of the language if you’re planning to retire here 👍
Sean ********
This winter was pretty cold, a few nights even had the fire going outside the bar..
John **********
Just do a retirement visa. A Non-OA visa is good for a year, you apply in your home country using funds in your home bank. Don't need to deal with Thai authorities and can come and go as you please
Elías ********
With DTV you could
Bazaar******
Get a 6 month multiple entry tourist visa and if you time it right with extension you can stretch that out to 8+ months
Kevin **********
Don't listen to these ladyboy whinners. Last year it was only unbearably hot twice. Once for 7 months and once for 5 months.
Peter **********
I have stayed in Bangkok, Petchaburi, Nakhon Si Thammarat and have in law family in Nakhon Sawan and I find it very relevant to see the location a full year before settling permanently. I like to go out in nature and some areas are bone dry and in fire risk for many months, waterfalls dry and so on. Other places have areas with flash flooding risk at mointains or general flood risk others have Sugar cane protection with burnings no matter laws.
PurpleO********
Its not hot
Unless you go north
Or in bkk
Otherwise its just nice
Its nice
Its then nice with occasional cooling and cleaning rain
Then its nice with an occasional beautiful tropical storm
Then its nice again.
Best way is to do non O visa, what ever you do.
Or non OA
Its the right way to do it.
Unless you go north
Or in bkk
Otherwise its just nice
Its nice
Its then nice with occasional cooling and cleaning rain
Then its nice with an occasional beautiful tropical storm
Then its nice again.
Best way is to do non O visa, what ever you do.
Or non OA
Its the right way to do it.
Jared ********
PurpleOtter5805 North? Hot? Chaing rai gets cold....
PurpleO********
Jared Yindee yes it gets hot up north
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PurpleO********
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PeacefulTa***********
Retirement visa is only good for one year anyway. Just don't renew after your year.
Marty *********
You don't need a year to experience the seasons. You should experience the hot season which we are in right now. Mid-March to June. This is what generates the most complaints. After that Thailand has a tropical climate, wet or dry season, it's all manageable.
Wannikea *********
OA would be a good choice for a year, there are a few conditions but you won't have to move your money over to Thailand right away and you'll need mandatory insurance. After the year you could let it expire and get a non-O
Jon ********
Hot, hotter and hot and rainy
Michael ********
Get OA retirement visa no need to have money in Thailand. You will need to buy insurance though and depending on countries requirements there are different rules for applying. That will give you 12 months and could be up to two years plenty of time to see if Thailands for you
Peter *********
Michael Dawson if oa retirement visa you will need 800,000 thai baht (aprprox. 25,000 US) in Thai bank. Continuous or prove monthly income of at
****
th of that every month to sustain visa after 1 year. Friend had no payment one month but two on the first of the next month. A few hoops were jumped through before he got visa renewed. These kind of issues can depend on the individual immigration you get or you location, don't depend on it though.Michael ********
Peter Goundry no you dont that O visa not OA which i suggested
Peter *********
Michael Dawson read your own bleeding comment "get OA retirement visa".
Reply to
Peter *********
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John **********
@Peter ********
you're confusing a Non-O based on retirement with a Non-OA. The latter doesn't require any money in a Thai bankPeter *********
@John *********
check again, needs to be in Thai bank.The Thai Non-Immigrant O-A (Long Stay) visa is a one-year visa for retirees aged 50+ applied for outside Thailand, requiring 800,000 THB in a bank or 65,000 THB monthly income, mandatory health insurance ($100,000 USD coverage), a criminal record check, and a medical certificate. It allows multiple entries and a one-year stay.
Key Requirements for Non-O-A (Retirement)
Age: 50 years or older.
Health Insurance: Must have insurance covering COVID-19 and other illnesses, with at least 3,000,000 THB ($100,000 USD) coverage per policy year.
Financial Capability:
Bank Deposit: 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account, OR
Income: A monthly income of no less than 65,000 THB.
Documents:
Passport with at least 18 months validity (12 months for visa + 6 months for travel).
Criminal record check from the country of nationality/residence.
Medical certificate (valid within 3 months) showing no prohibited diseases (Leprosy, TB, Drug Addiction, Elephantiasis, Third-stage Syphilis).
Reply to
Peter *********
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Wannikea *********
There are only three seasons in Thailand.
Hot
Rainy and hot
Really fucking hot.
Hot
Rainy and hot
Really fucking hot.
Lisa *********
Wannikea Wanblee nowhere near as hot as Perth, Western Australia this summer
Peter *********
Wannikea Wanblee not in Chiang Mai province. Can be quite chilly in the first few months of the year. Cold for Thais and bracing for farang :)
Wannikea *********
Peter Goundry I live in Chiang Rai and yes it was a bit of a shock during the winter months. Never in my life would I have ever thought I needed a winter coat in Thailand.
Regardless, my reply was meant as more humorous than anything.
Regardless, my reply was meant as more humorous than anything.
Glen ********
Wannikea Wanblee yeah it's strange most people don't realize when you have lived here many years or you grew up here, you get cold on the days it's 20 degrees or less. They all think 20 degrees is still t-shirt weather riding their bikes because some come from countries it gets well below minus degrees but you live here long enough you feel it when you wouldn't in your home countries.
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Glen ********
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FarangJ********
Peter Goundry Yes. Bad air pollution, some air pollution and nid noi air pollution.
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FarangJ********
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Ron ******
Hot, very hot, hot and wet. Saved you a year.
Petr *********************
What seasons?
Reply to
Petr *********************
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