What are the important considerations for obtaining a visa to live in Thailand?

I totally agreed with but people need Dialogue among the humans

Communication and talking each other is important between people .

Just be help

Everyone is not high educated like you sir, I have low IQ myself so please forgive me

Good luck to you attempting to get any kind of communication with your Thai embassy/consulate

Exactly.

Thai embassies typically have completely wrong or out of date information.......

I hope you understand the if you are a person on a pension from NZ which is what I assume, you will lose your pension after 3 months

Best just come using Thai embassy website. I never sought fb until Covid because the rules were changing so much. Just ignore groups and just come. Pattaya is more for either a certain type of tourist or a weathered foreigner that wants beach relaxation, same with Phuket.

It seems bewildering when you are at the planning stage, but when you start the process you realise it is quite simple really.

Get a non O visa based on retirement before you come to Thailand online from the Thai Embassy.

Travel to Thailand, open a bank account and transfer 800,000 baht immediately.

Go to immigration and get a list of their requirements to extend your stay.

Wait until your money has been in your account for 2 months then go to the immigration office with everything on their list of requirements. You will need to complete one A4 form with simple questions like; name, passport number, date of arrival etc. Pay 1,900 Baht and that's it for a year.

You do the immigration office part each year to extendyour stay for another year. Good luck.

All areas and visa can be different with different levels of acceptance so those who have already experienced and have first hand knowledge can be very valuable for help.

Pattaya is a cesspit. go to Hua hin instead, less crowded and a more relaxed vibe.

What you have to understand is each immigration office has different policies and requirements based on numerous factors , the man in charge , if the individual officer got laid that morning and which way the wind is blowing. It sounds ridiculous but it’s actually true.

Always best to go to immigration than to ask on Facebook.

Many thai embassies are nearly impossible to contact.

Hi Jeffery don't get a visa at home when you're in Pattaya go to immigration and talk to them or look up visa agents and talk to some of them good luck and enjoy.

Honestly, the Thai consulates and embassies know very little about immigration. I was given misinformation that cost me greatly by talking to a consulate after my passport was stolen while out of the country.

Your best resources are actually groups like this, but you’ll need to learn who to trust or who not. Reading through the history here will give you your sea legs. You could also stop at immigration while you are here and ask your questions if you’re still nervous, although you may get different answers depending upon region or even officer.

You didn't say anything about what you plan to do in Thailand full time. Retirement? Work in Thailand? Remote work? Study?

That's sort of important as your "responsibilities" (read; requirements) are very different for the different kinds of visas available. So without knowing anything about what you might qualify for or what your aim is, nobody can give you any usable advice.

@Jeffery ******

The Thai Embassy in Wellington will direct you to their website and the e-visa process. From experience they do not do face to face meetings.

It's not really a minefield. There are rules and processes to follow. Can be a bit tedious, but very doable. All the minefield you hear are about people trying to circumvent the process, bribe officials through agents and not understanding what's required.

While your in pattaya, go to an immigration office and ask for handouts on requirements for visas and extensions of stay based on your age or martial status. There's a lot of noise in here and lots of repeat questions. If you read you will learn whose answers to rely on....

Be wary of "offers" that circumvent the rules. You're only exposing yourself to greater risk down the road.

Yes there are 'wrinkles' and Inconsistencies- in interpretation at different offices - and sometimes with different officers.

But maybe much of what you read is from people trying to game the system. Finding ways to stay beyond 'design' of their visa.

Most people just stay within the rules with no problems.

I'll agree with you that many questions can be answered with a little research, especially with the relevant embassy or just searching through past posts in the group.

But I can assure you, that you will not sitting down with your local Thai consulate. All visa matters are now handled through the online e-visa system, and foreigners are no longer allowed on the property of Thai embassies or consulates. Everything you need to do, you will be directed to the online system. You would never make it past the front gate.