What are the requirements and process for obtaining a Non-O visa based on retirement and the implications of leaving Thailand during the visa process?

If you don’t already have bank accounts in Thailand you need to also start doing your homework on that subject and search this group and other to understand the difficulties

I did the same and my funds were in my account for 1 day when I applied

Okay if you're applying for 90 day Non-O visa from the Thai Embassy in London, you can show proof of funds in another country bank account (if that's where it is) you just have to show the equivalent of the required funds

You're not switching to any "one year visa based on retirement", when you got the Non-O visa from the London consulate you HAVE the visa, you'll be applying for a yearly "extension of stay" at the immigration office where you live/stay.

Now once you get the initial 90 day Non-O visas, when you come in you'll get stamped in for 90 days, THEN you need to bank 800K baht (each) in a thai bank account in your name only AND it has to stay in the account for 2 months before you can apply for the year extension

You will come in on the 90 day Non-O visa, get a 90 day entry stamp, IF you need to leave during that 90 days you would need to buy a re-entry permit (at the immigration office or the airport before you fly out) and that will keep that 90 day stamp 'alive', so when you return you can get stamped in until it's expiration.

You cannot stamp back in on a 60 day free stamp as that means you voided the Non-O visa entry stamp and will have to get a new Non-O visa

The steps are like this

**apply for the Non-O visa at the thai consulate in your country

**come to thailand get stamped in for 90 days

**bank the required funds in a thai bank account

**get a re-entry permit,

**go to Japan for a week,

**come back get stamped in for the rest of the 90 day stamp

**once the funds are in the account for 2 months go apply for the yearly extension

That's how it works