What are the best visa options for a UK citizen over 50 planning to retire in Pattaya, Thailand?

@Paul ***********

Am not a visa expert, but O doesn't require insur, whereas OA does.

I don't have insurance nor want. Med costs here are so little. I got to know a Dr when 1st arr. Don't have any issues, get yearly ekg and blood work 1200 baht. Take a b-12 and testosterone shot once a month..500 baht.

Insur costs here are a scam, get to know a clinic or hosp, you'll get Thai rates.

Good diet, excercize, Thailand, so no stress.

Income method is 65,000 baht per month from outside of Thailand ( shows FTT in bankbook ).put a bit more to cover exchange rate, but baht is weakening so exch rate is fav. Now US 36.60 / $1US will ho to 38 soon

Don't know you Paul but Pattaya and GF aren't always what you think.

Cost me a house and a lot of $ years ago...be very, very careful

Two books:

* Thai Fever

* Private Dancer

Mandatory reading for even seasoned farang.

It's Songkran ..New Year here.

@Paul ***********

you are posting misinformation. There has never been a one-year Non-O visa issued by Thai Immigration. However there has been a one-year "extended stay permit" issued by Immigration, This is the one where you need 800,000.- THB deposit in your Thai bank account. Only once you have collected 12 months consecutive transfers of minimum of 65,000 THB from abroad into your Thai account, you will be able to use a one-year bank statement for the application to the next one-year "extended stay permit" (which is NOT a visa, that 's the misinformation you posted!)

@Andreas ********

It could be some wires crossed her. Actually there is a 90 days Non O visa valid for a year. But it’s only multiple entries within a year, which gives you 90 days upon arrivals in a year. (It could possibly give you 15 months, but you’ll need to re-enter every 90 days.) The only one year visa is Non O-A, and extensions of stay in TH as you state.

the only visa that allows one to keep money in the home bank, is the 365-days multi entry Non-Imm-O/A visa, as Brandon Thurkettle has already correctly posted.

@Jan *****************

This is quite another topic, you are talking about the "visa validity". This is only valid for multi-entry visa. The right to enter remains valid for a certain period, but you still receive a "stay permit" upon EACH entry. And please note, most Thai embassies do not issue 365-days multi entry Non-Imm-O retirement visa any more. They only issue the 90-days single entry category

@Andreas ********

Yes as I said in my previous post, but this might be the reason why wires probably are a bit crossed here. Regular Non O gives you always 90 days upon entry. But the visa its self is valid for three months with single entry and one year with multiple entries. (And I know the multiple option recently is removed in the E-visa system, but it’s still people in Thailand on a one year 90 days Non O visa.)

@Jan *****************

correct. The multi entry Non-o was available in most country's E-visa system until the end of September 2023

@Andreas ********

Yes, sad because it was a good option for some people.

@Paul ***********

Yes, there’s a regular 90 days Non O visa with multiple entries also valid for a year. Each time you get stamped in within this year you’ll get another 90 days. And this really could be an option if you’re willing to do border runs every 90 days and renewals every year at home. However now with the new E-visa system you don’t get an option to apply for multiple entries on your regular 90 days Non O visa. I don’t say it’s not possible, we could do it also in Norway until recently, but now this option is removed and as I’ve understand this is the same for other embassies with the e-visa system.

@Paul ***********

No, you can try if it’s possible. I tried myself, but only got a single entry option. And the only thing you risk is getting a regular 90 days Non O visa. And you can do border and visa runs in Thailand after the initial 90 days, but if you want to stay more permanent there’s no legal way around the 800K for your first year extension of stay.

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

It could also be a regular 90 days Non O with multiple entries. This visa is also valid for a year with 90 days on the entries. But we know the multiple option now is removed in the E-visa system. There’s still people in TH on Non O multiple, we could apply for this in Norway until recently, but now the option is removed and as I’ve understand this is more general with this new e-system.

This article or whatever it is , is incorrect.

The info provided by

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

is absolutely correct.

He has outlined your options.

@Paul ***********

there are NO Thai Embassies in Thailand.

@Paul ***********

there is no embassy in Bangkok. There's only an immigration office. And you'll need to show 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account to apply there.

@Paul ***********

Are you in Bangkok now? The only visa you can apply for in country Thailand is a regular 90 days Non O visa and it’s normally not requirements regarding health insurance, health statements and flights. You’ll need to provide more information for your request.

@Paul ***********

in order to use the bt income you would need to deposit each month this amount for 12 mths in addition to the 800,000 bts. That way when you came to renew your visa you will have the proof you need.

However once it shows in your account you can use it as immigration are only interested in the deposits not what you spend it on

@Paul ***********

YOU CANNOT PROVIDE PROOF OF PENSION. They will ONLY accept embassy certified proof of pension. The UK embassy in Thailand DOES NOT PROVIDE THIS. Therefore you CANNOT use your pension for this visa. I've given you your options.

@Paul ***********

you don't understand how evisa works. You apply on the website and it goes to the Thai embassy in London because you tell it you're in the UK. It's still processed by Thai embassy staff in your country. It's not sent to Bangkok

@Shai *******

you would need to purchase a re-entry permit to do so the second year.

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

Thanks for the fast reply. Can I purchase this at the airport, upon returning to Thailand, or does this need to be done at the local immigration?

@Shai *******

you purchase it before you leave. Either at immigration or at the airport. If you wait until you return you've already lost your stamp.

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

So just to make sure I understand the whole process:

First, I apply for the Non OA, at the local Thai embassy in my country, including multiple entry. Before that 1 year visa expires, I have to purchase another multi-entry, go out of Thailand, and return before it expires and then get my '2nd year'?

@Shai *******

close. You get the visa and travel to Thailand. Before the end date on the visa (not the stamp in your passport) you would buy another year of the required insurance and then leave and return to Thailand. Then you'll get stamped in for another year from the day you enter. After your visa expires you'll need a re-entry permit if you leave in order to keep your stamp alive.

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

I got it. Thanks a lot for this information!

@Paul ***********

As I said, you can do it for 2 years, then you have to go back to the UK to request a new one.