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What documents and visa are needed for a British expat to retire in Phayao, Thailand?

retirement visaNON-O visaThai immigrationexpat living in ThailandPhayao districtvisa documentationThai bank account requirementsLONG-TERM RESIDENCE visa (LTR)expat advicemoving to Thailand
Feb 17, 2024
9 months ago
Paddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have been married to a Thsi woman for 11 years I am British/Scottish I live in Glasgow whilst wife is working Netherlands I am 74 in August she has her own home in Phayao district we plan for myself to retire there what documents do I need and what is the best visa for me to retire there we hope to finalise things for my move end of this year or beginning of 2925 thank you
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A British man, married to a Thai woman, is seeking guidance on the documentation and appropriate visa for retiring in Thailand's Phayao district. He considers the retirement visa (NON-O) the best option due to his wife's absence during his initial move, with advice highlighting the necessity of having 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account. Other options such as tourist visas before transitioning to retirement or marriage visas are discussed, along with the Long-Term Residence (LTR) visa as a favorable option. The conversation emphasizes connecting with the Thai embassy and the importance of proper planning for relocating by the end of 2024 or early 2025.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Durrant ********
A big bank balance should cover it
9 months ago
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Shane ************
Use
@THAI *****************************
 to get a retirement visa. You only need a bank account here if u use an agent and don't need to have 800k thb sitting in it
9 months ago
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Kevin *******
9 months ago
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Kevin *******
Took your time !
9 months ago
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Paddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kevin ******
 yep as I'm still able to work
9 months ago
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Kevin *******
@Paddy *********
 at 74 ? Must be a pen pusher !
9 months ago
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Paddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kevin ******
 nope far from it
9 months ago
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Paddy **********
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Del ******
I think the marriage visa is the best thb 400k . you entitled to most then on .
9 months ago
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Jim ***********
O
9 months ago
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David *******
I wish you well for your 900th birthday. Happy Birthday. I will not be here to buy you a beer. Sorry.
9 months ago
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Vernon *********
I am British/English!
9 months ago
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Jamie ******
If you haven’t been ,just go on a tourist visa ,,,you can get retirement or marriage visas when your in Thailand …
9 months ago
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Paul *********
If one is able to qualify - LTR is THE best option. (10year visa, renewal at 5yr point only). You’ll need to research it. A Brit friend of mine recently got it.
9 months ago
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Helen ********
Beautiful area Lake Phayao and district.
9 months ago
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John *********
Phayao area is spot on.
9 months ago
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Jim *******
@John ********
 Could you please tell me where this area is. I've been learning about Thailand myself for the last year and I haven't heard of this place.

Thank you in advance
9 months ago
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John *********
@Jim ******
 About as far north as you can get. And about as far from the sea so I have swimming pools as a small business (or my wife has). Very laid back with few tourists and as near to a zero crime rates as you get, including any rip off pricing, always local prices. Lovely mountains and best climate in the country. I'm in Chiang Kham, Phayao province. 1 hour from Phayao town, 1.5 from Chiang Rai and 3-4 from Chiang Rai. Border crossing to Laos is close by for a leisurely cruise down the Mekong.
9 months ago
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Don ******
@John ********
Is the smoke bad there during burn season?
9 months ago
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John *********
@Don *****
 Have a look at the charts on the internet. Gets hazy but so does the whole region.
9 months ago
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Stephen *********
@Don *****
 yes. North area gets bad
9 months ago
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Jim *******
@John ********
 Thank very much John. I appreciate you getting back to me so quickly. I hope to move there in the future. I have finances and health issues to work out first.
9 months ago
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John *********
@Jim ******
 Give me a shout any time. Just sat down for a beer. Been a week chasing an underground piping leak in the pools. Shifted a lot of dirt! Good luck with it all.
9 months ago
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John *********
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Robert *********
Contact your nearest Thai embassy for info
9 months ago
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Vernon *********
@Robert ********
Unfortunately no Thai Embassy in Scotland! I think they will accept his British/Scottish passport in London!!
9 months ago
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Robert *********
@Vernon ********
 doesn't matter were it is .

Phone and ask some questions and get the real answers
9 months ago
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Vernon *********
@Robert ********
I was being sarcastic, obviously lost on some people.
9 months ago
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Vernon *********
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John *******
74 good on you cannot fault you, wish i could do the same
9 months ago
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John ********
@John ******
 I intend, if things workout going there for good in 2025, then I'll be on my way to 77th year.
9 months ago
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Steve **********
@John *******
 John...dont wait, take a small loss.

Once you step off plane. You add ten years to your life, maybe can't say that on 2025.

Tomorrow's promised to noone.

Been her over 20, never thought I would..feel great , Dr says another 10 or 15.

Am older than you.

Why wait !
9 months ago
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John ********
@Steve *********
 I'd be there in a heartbeat Steve, but need this year and possibly six months of 2025 to accrue the required funds to get the visa extension. I had hoped to get the agency under the table visa, but I was informed by a visa agent in Udon that they cannot do it anymore due to a new immigration commander in Isaan. That coupled with the Chinese in Bkk., & the scandal with 100 immigration officers taking bribes from these Chinese has put a block on that road of obtaining a visa extension.
9 months ago
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Steve **********
@John *******
 Undersrand not wanting to use agency, and the neg publicity of late.

I don't use one but know those that do.

PM me if thats your only drawback
9 months ago
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John ********
@Steve *********
 hello Steve, don't know if you've seen the msg , I've sent on your messenger. Full explanation of my predicament. The agent route may be preferential. I'll msg., my reasoning on your messenger.
9 months ago
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John ********
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Steve **********
@John ******
 you can !
9 months ago
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Steve **********
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Stuart ***********
Retirement visa is much easier to obtain than marriage, but you need to deposit 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account.

Get an online
*****
day tourist visa before you come, then you have plenty of time to get all the bank sorted (do this immediately) and your documentation ready.

Good luck.
9 months ago
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Frazer ******
@Stuart **********
 Extremely hard to open a Bank account on a Tourist visa
9 months ago
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Stuart ***********
@Frazer *****
 yes. I managed it a couple of years ago, but it seems to be more difficult now. I see most people seem to use an agent for that now at a cost of about 4,000 Baht.
9 months ago
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Frazer ******
@Stuart **********
Just another one of the many money making schemes.
9 months ago
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Frazer ******
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Veronica ********
@Stuart **********
 you don't need
*****
0 in a Thai account if you apply for your retirement visa in your own country .Marriage visas are a head fk
9 months ago
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Steve *******
@Veronica *******
 You'll need 800k in a Thai account and seasoned for 2 months for the 1 year extention of stay. Marriage visa is just as easy but only requires 400k
9 months ago
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Veronica ********
@Steve ******
 I only need to show regular money coming in per month (
*****
according to memory) ...according to Thai embassy in Australia
9 months ago
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Steve *******
@Veronica *******
 Different requirements for Males and Females when it comes to a Non Imm O based on marriage.
9 months ago
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Steve *******
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Steve *******
@Stuart **********
 Why get a Tourist visa? Just get the Non Imm O before he comes, so much easier. No extra trip to Immigration, easier to open a bank account and no onward travel needed, it's a no-brainer
9 months ago
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Stuart ***********
@Steve ******
 I thought that involved getting police checks and other stuff, but if it's as simple as applying then yes that makes sense.
9 months ago
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Steve *******
@Stuart **********
 Police check and medical is for the Non Imm OA, a totally different visa.
9 months ago
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Stuart ***********
@Steve ******
 okay, it seems much better I agree.
9 months ago
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Stuart ***********
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Chris ***********
2925? That’s a long time ahead.
9 months ago
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Andy ********
@Chris **********
 no point leaving it to the last minute....lol
9 months ago
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Paddy **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris **********
 sorry should 2025 but I guess u knew that
9 months ago
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John ******
@Paddy *********
 good luck with your plan
9 months ago
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Chris ***********
Pulling yer leg sorry!
9 months ago
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Chris ***********
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John ******
@Chris **********
 Tardis.
9 months ago
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John ******
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Brandon ************
If your wife won't be moving with you then the retirement visa (non-O) is probably your best option since she would have to go with you every year if you wanted to use the married to Thai visa.
9 months ago
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Brandon ************
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