What are the requirements for retiring in Thailand and can I save money in a Thai bank before applying for a retirement visa?

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Before next visit, from your home country, if over 50, apply for an non imm O visa. Then, when you arrive, you can open a bank account here, you can also get a driving license.

it would be easier to apply for the visa at the Thai embassy in your country.

Problem you will have unless you can find a friendly bank is opening a thai account on a tourist visa, the 800 k needs to be in the bank a FULL 2 months before your visa application and has to remain at this amount for 3 months after your application can then drop down to 400 k for remainder of the year until 2 months before you apply for extension of stay.. if you can get an accountant opened then another alternative is to transfer 65k each month for 12 months (can't miss a month and double the payment following month). This monthly money has to come from outside thailand

If you go the fixed amount in the bank route you will need to have the 800k in a thai bank for 2 months before the retirement visa but you can only open a bank account if you have a long term visa such as an O-visa or an OA-visa, there is also the monthly income route. The O-visa doesn't require the medical insurance that is needed for the OA-visa so that it the best one in my opinion. Most people come to Thailand on the O-visa and immediately open a bank account then transfer the funds and for the first application the money needs to be in the bank for 2 months and you have 3 months from arrival so you can apply before you have to extend or leave Thailand. Check the details on the Pattaya expat club website ( as they are normally very useful and tend to be up to date as things do change.

Also check if the Embassy in Thailand from y'r country, still hands out an income statement for the year extension. Then you don't need money in a Thai bank. But indeed, first get a non imm. O visa in y'r home country.

Simple save the 800k or equivalent in your home country bank acct....when its time to move to thailand apply for the nonO retirement(90days) in your home country with your home funds....once u arrived in thailand with that nonO u open a thai bank acct and transfer your home funds to the thai acct and prepare for the 1yr extensions

You cannot open a bank account in Thailand unless you have a long-term visa, like a non-O visa based on retirement. And you can only open a bank account in person.

In order to get the non-O visa, you would need to show proof of 800,000 or whatever equivalent your local Thai embassy requires in the local currency.