What are the key differences between the Non Immigrant O-A visa and the Extension of Stay for retirees in Thailand?

There is some misunderstanding with the Non Immigrant O-A visa and Extension of Stay based on being over 50 years of age.

Both are called Retirement Visa, but there are BIG differences.

Picture 1 is the Non Immigrant O-A visa, this visa you get in your country of residence, is valid for 1 year and on each entry you can get 1 year of stay, even if your enter on the last day mentioned on this visa under Enter Before or Valid Until.

On each entry you get the square stamps (example picture 2) visa class Non O-A , day of entry and Admitted until ../../.. which should be 1 year later.

Picture nr 3 is the Extension of Stay, which you buy at the Immigration Office inside Thailand. This is NOT a visa. The first line is the Immigration Bureau where you got this stamp and the second line Extension of Stay is permitted up to ../../.. Next to this stamp Immigration will stamp the reason like "Retirement".

If you want to travel in and out Thailand, AFTER your enter before or Valid Until date mentioned on the VISA (picture 1) OR during your Extension of Stay (picture 3) you need a Re-Entry Permit to keep your current stay alive.

See example picture 4.

This re-entry permit is Single or Multiple but ONLY valid till the last day of your Admitted or Permitted to Stay date and on return you will get the SAME Admitted or Permitted to Stay date stamped in your passport.