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What is the best Thai Visa and health insurance for an expat retiring in Thailand with diabetes type 2?

Visa Types Non-O Visa Health Insurance Health Coverage for Expats Diabetes Thai Bank Account Financial Requirements Retirement in Thailand Thai Immigration Rules

Mar 2, 2023

3 years ago

Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I plan to retire inThailand with my Thai partner of 10 years from the UK.my partner has houses, land etc. I am over 60 and recommendations on best Thai Visa and best Thai health insurance cover for an expat with diabetes type 2 would be very useful. I have tried AXA but they don’t cover existing conditions.

The other thing I am interested in finding out is I have to open a Thai bank account and deposit money Into it. I live in the UK so how can this be done.

I thank you and anybody’s help in this matter would be really appreciated

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An expat from the UK plans to retire in Thailand with a Thai partner. They seek recommendations on the best visa options and health insurance that covers diabetes type 2. They have learned that a Thai bank account is needed for extending a Non-O visa and are interested in how to open one while living in the UK. Community comments suggest applying for a Non-O visa from within Thailand, that Thai insurers generally do not cover preexisting conditions, and propose using travel insurance temporarily.

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Neil *********

Hi Nicholas pm me I have a potential solution in terms of the health insurance for you

We have terms with all the major proper insurers

3 years ago

Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Neil ********

thank you Neil I will PM you

3 years ago

Reply to

Nicholas ******

Brook ********

Apply for a Non O visa from within Thailand.

Insurance is currently not required for Non O.

You will not be able to purchase Thai health insurance, even with exclusions.

I recommend you purchase one year (max) of travel insurance (ie WorldNomads.com) before you leave, to take effect the day you depart your home country. This will be about

$1k USD.

If Thailand eventually decides to make visa health insurance mandatory, you will have a limited period of time to sell everything and go home.

3 years ago

Geoff **********

My wife is an insurance agent in Thailand and unfortunately no Thai health insurance companies will cover preexisting conditions. All you couls do is to apply and see exactly what they will exclude when they evaluate your application. The Thai companies will generally be cheaper than the international ones. Good luck.

3 years ago

Kim *********

@Geoff *********

yeah and have a lot of exceptions where they don't cover

3 years ago

Reply to

Kim *********

Graham ******

You don't need a Thai bank account to geta Non-O visa (marriage or retirement) in the UK but will need one to extend your 90 day entry stamp from 90 days for a further year. You'll need money in the bank 2 months before you apply for your extension.

3 years ago

Graham ******

@Nicholas *****

The benefit is you get stamped in for 90 days to get a Thai bank account opened and money seasoned before the application for a 12 month extension. Every year is a new year and a new extension of stay application.

3 years ago

Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Graham *****

with a Non -O what are the benefits of this visa what happens after the further year.

3 years ago

Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Julane ******

thank you

3 years ago

Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Julane ******

thank you

3 years ago

Graham ******

@Nicholas *****

I've never talen out insurance beyond 90 days sorry

3 years ago

Julane *******

@Nicholas *****

All the international plans we checked excluded preexisting conditions. We chose in-patient (hospitalization) international excluding out patient. We checked about 12 insurers. There are agents that you can ask based in Thailand. They gave us a good comparison of plans. But once again, none covered preexisting medical conditions.

Good luck.

3 years ago

Nicholas ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Graham *****

thank you that makes more sense I intend to get married in Thailand when I finally get there. We plan to live in Ubon Ratchatani. On the travel/medical insurance can you recommend as I plan to retire out there. Also I have a pre existing medical condition diabetes type 2.

3 years ago

Reply to

Nicholas ******

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What are the best visa options for retiring in Thailand full-time while maintaining ties to the UK?

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