What are the requirements for an American to apply for a retirement visa after arriving in Chiang Mai on a tourist visa or visa exempt?

To apply for a retirement visa (Non-O) in Thailand as an American citizen after entering on a tourist visa or visa exempt status, you must be over 50 years old. Key requirements include: 1) Opening a Thai bank account and depositing 800,000 baht for at least 2 months prior to application. You can't use an embassy affidavit for income verification. 2) Entering Thailand on a single-entry tourist visa (valid for 60 days), which can be extended by 30 days. 3) Having at least 21 days remaining on your tourist visa when applying for the Non-O visa, which costs 2,000 baht. 4) Maintaining a minimum balance of 400,000 baht in your account for the remainder of the year after the 12-month extension is granted. For subsequent years, similar requirements apply as long as your reason for extension remains unchanged.