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Is my plan for traveling to Malaysia and applying for an O visa in Thailand feasible?

Thailand Travel O Visa Malaysia Travel Retirement Planning Tourist Visa Bank Account Opening Issues Visa Application Process Expat Life in Thailand Penang Travel Hat Yai Flights

Jul 26, 2023

3 years ago

Mike *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Do you think my plan is ok for travel to Malaysia and then O visa in Thailand?

Retire in April 2024, two pension begin. Finish up in the UK

September 3rd 2024 one way flight to Penang, with pre booked onward flight to Hat Yai

90 day stay Penang.

84 days later (25/6 nov) Fly to Hat Yai (Thailand) on a 60 day tourist visa, applied for in Penang.

Begin process for O visa in Thailand, find somewhere to rent, deposit 800,000 in a bank

Return to Penang (59 days later) Jan 23rd 2025, chinese new year, by air from Hat Yai. 

Get another 90 days in Penang

Return to Thailand 89 days later (april 21/22 2025) to complete O visa and retire

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user's detailed retirement plan involves traveling from the UK to Penang, Malaysia, for 90 days, then flying to Hat Yai, Thailand, to begin the process of applying for an O visa. Comments suggest that the plan is generally sound, although some challenge the feasibility of opening a bank account on a tourist visa and note potential complications with travel schedules between Penang and Hat Yai.

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Paul *******

There are no flights between Penang and Hat Yai. It's simply too close.

3 years ago

Todd *********

This will all work just fine Mike. I don’t think you will encounter any issues and nice areas to explore. Have fun. Happy retirement. Nowhere better to retire than Thailand. You may want to consider where in thailand you wish to retire to make the visa process easier

3 years ago

Paul *********

Wow that's some very specific planning. Have you ever visited Thailand? Do you know what town you want to live in?

3 years ago

Mike *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Paul ********

never been there but I am not staying in the uk a minute longer than I have to. If could afford the MM2H I would stay in penang. Probably Songkhla so I can get back to Penang easily with a muliple entry for Thailand.. I have 'family' in Penang but the MM2H is a bit out of my budget.

3 years ago

Paul *********

@Mike ******

I don't know what mm2h is but I agree that it's sad our beloved country has changed so much that we no longer want to be there. I don't know what your budget is but I would recommend £2000 a month for Thailand otherwise you will be living a very lonely and boring life trying to live on a small budget

3 years ago

Mike *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Paul ********

mm2h is the retirement visa for malaysia.

They only want very very very rich retirees....

Malaysia My 2nd Home.

I won't be lonely, large family in Penang to keep an eye on me. Thailand/Songkhla option is the next best thing.

I have a decent pension coming plus full state pension.

Cold damp uk to retire...and 'deal or no deal' on telly every day, or the warmth and culture of asia... let me think about that.....

3 years ago

Reply to

Mike *******

Steve *******

Just get the Non Imm O visa in the UK, much easier.

3 years ago

Brown ********

That's some heavy planning into the future man. My only plan that far a head is a dive trip to the Maldives in March 2025

3 years ago

Mike *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brown *******

I'm leaving the uk for good, i need to plan, meticulously....no room for mistakes

3 years ago

Reply to

Mike *******

Brandon ************

Your plan will work fine. You don't even need to spend all that time in Penang unless you want to, but it seems like you do so that's fine.

The only thing you might have difficulty with is opening a bank account with a tourist visa.

3 years ago

Mike *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

I will be staying with 'family' in Penang so as many days as possible is good for me.

I take your point about the bank account, I might try an agent but use my own money....

Just trying to sketch out a plan at this stage, so thanks for your advice.

I want to leave the UK in sept 24 but be in penang for CNY in '25

3 years ago

Brandon ************

@Mike ******

many people are using an agent to open a bank account nowadays so it might be easier to just find an agent to open your bank account when you make your first trip then do everything else yourself when you return.

3 years ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

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What are the best visa options for retiring in Thailand full-time while maintaining ties to the UK?

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