What are the requirements for a retirement visa (Non-O) in Thailand regarding income verification?

I know that. But she mentioned “I’d rather not put 800,000 baht into a Thai Bank account”.

Whether she likes it or not, she must open a thai bank account and put money into it to apply for a retirement visa.

ScenicQuince8873 You get the Non-O visa FIRST, THEN you get a Thai bank account.

Greg Alexander This is hysterical. I made the point that a lot of retirees can't come up with $25K USD, (ALONG with the point that Thailand is much cheaper to live than the U.S.), and you come up with an all-time rant about the cost of everything.

Absolutely Homeric !!! 🤣🤣🤣

Alan Rothwell and Lee Harrison . . . . . you could not be more wrong . . . . . . The PURCHASING POWER of your DOLLARS or EUROS in Thailand

The PURCHASING POWER of your currency is more than TWICE as high in Thailand as in Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand

Anyone who plans to live on expensive imported items such as French wines, imported sausages, Swiss cheeses, Australian beef steaks, New Zealand lamb fillets and Alaskan wild salmon has not really arrived in Thailand.

The prices for such luxury imported goods should not be used for a comparison.

A typical shopping basket in THAILAND compared to one in your country, in approximate percentages:

*** a TV set, a notebook, most electrical items: rather one to one - same price

*** Cars and motorcycles made or assembled in Thailand: cheaper!

Only imported brands are almost twice as expensive in Thailand as in your country

*** clothing & shoes: cheaper, but it depends on the quality and brand

*** Rentals in Thailand are much lower: 25% to 30%

*** ELECTRICITY: 30%-35% of the price per Kilowatt in your country (compared not the the USA but to an European country)

*** municipal WATER fees: something like 10% to 15%

*** FISH and other seafood: 35% to 40%

*** PORK and CHICKEN: 35% to 40%

*** VEGETABLES: 35% to 40%

*** FRUITS: 30% local fruits. Imported fruits, however, cost about the same than in your home country

*** cost of one hour of labour: 3-5% (!!) Just imagine

*** a scooter: 40% to 50%

***GASOLINE and DIESEL: it depends. If you are from Europe, you find the Thai price real charming

*** dining out in a restaurant : 30% to 40%

Beer and all alcoholic beverages in general do not belong in a typical shopping basket for comparison!

*** Non-alcoholic beverages: 35-40%

*** BAKED PRODUCTS: 30% to 35% "farang bakers baking bread products = same price

*** EGGS: 25-40%

This means: Anyone who can spend 1500 Euros or Dollars in Thailand, can enjoy a living standard as if he/she had 3000.- Dollars or Euros at home

Of course, always assuming that you have done your homework. Most initial investments need to be secured:

***health insurance

*** furnishing

*** means of transport

*** costs for obtaining the stay permit (some require a deposit in the bank)

If you need imported foods - go ahead but don't complain about high prices.

I avoid imported foods - as I can find everything on local markets for less than half the price I would have to pay in my home country. Fish, poultry and pork is cheap, and vegetables cost less than half.

Rentals are less than half, diesel & gasoline is less than half from the price in Europe, clothes and shoes are cheap.

Restaurant meals cost only a third of what I would have to pay in my home country. . .

It depends on your lifestyle if you think Thailand is expensive.

I don't need any Swiss cheese. I don't need Australian steaks. I don't need French wines. I don't need imported stuff.

You are comparing a cheap Honda to a Rolls Royce. My typical shopping bag does not contain any imported foods

Greg Alexander $25K USD is a big chunk of cash to some/many/most retirees wanting to live in Thailand.

After all, as you yourself point out, a huge part, sometimes the only reason, of the allure of Thailand is living at HALF the price, or better, than a U.S. citizen can at home.

So if they can provide proof of stable, forever monthly income, why do you suppose they are disqualified by the onerous required 800K "deposit" ?

TIA

Greg Alexander I am not against it. That is good for you. But, that 800K THB can not guarantee your stay in Thailand as you want. Actually nothing can guarantee it. That is my point here. 800K THB is a secure deposit for Thailand, not for you. like the rental secure deposit that landlords keep as long as you are tenant and do not damage or break rules. Again, 800K THB is not a guarantee for your stay in Thailand. You can not decide this. But only Thailand can decide this. Your thought or experience or opinion do not play a role at all in this matter. Anyway, good luck to you for further extension.

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

Yeah, I get all that, but if the requirement to GET the visa allows showing bank statements for a year, I guess it's a little surprising that to get the retirement "permission to stay", it's not good enough.

I mean, it's not like they can't find you and ask you to leave if the deposits don't start (and continue) coming into one's Thai bank account regularly.

I suppose at some point, governments' computers will eventually "connect", or otherwise make such info "official".

Thailand's come a fair way since I started going.

MJ Spicoli you need to have a non immigrant O or OA visa to open a bank account, along with a resident certificate from your local immigration office. If you are entering on a 90 day O, you need to get your ฿800,000 into your bank account ASAP as it needs to be in your account for 60 days before you can apply for a one year extension. While you are at immigration getting your resisdent certificate, pick up the paperwork and checklist for your one year extension.

@John *********

I’m moving there in 30 days the guy I’m renting from is also from the US & said he would help me with everything. Any tips or advice is always appreciated