What is the best visa option for a 57-year-old British expat wanting to retire in Thailand with a private pension?

Mick Aynsley I did it myself and was a pain in the butt!! I met a fella who was back and forth over 3 days because hadn't done his research what was required so don't blame you ! ( 12 month extension)

Lynnette Munoz but he will have to go to immigration every 90 days. But you have to do that on any type of visa

Lynnette Munoz you have a typo Lynnette, you intended to put 90 days.

Ali Kolahdoozan being over 50

Ali Kolahdoozan For the first year you need for sure the 800kThb on a Thai bank, if you start immediately putting the +65kThb on your Thai bank account you could extent in the future with the 65kThb method The UK do not issue certificates anymore so you could not start the 65k Thb method right away Extensions are yearly I will put the process here after, take care it would be limited because IO would like more 1 . Apply for a 90 day non-O retirement visa online at your countries embassy/consulate.

2. Enter Thailand using the visa.

3. Go to your local immigration office the next day to get a residence certificate and whilst you are there get the list of requirements to extend your stay and the form.

4. Get a Thai sim card for your phone linked to your passport.

5. Open a bank account using your non-O visa and residence certificate and sim card phone number + usually an additional form of id like a driving licence. You might need to try several banks to find a farang friendly one, so do this within the first week of arrival.

6. Transfer 800,000 baht into your Thai bank account.

7. Wait 2 months for your money to season, then return to immigration with all of the information provided on their list, the completed form and 1,900 baht in cash to get your extension.

8. The 800,000 baht may partly used during the first year but never may reach lower than 0 baht, when needing a prolongation there must be 0 bath again

Applicant must be aged 50 years and over (on the day of submitting application).

2. Applicant not prohibited from entering the Kingdom as provided by the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979).

3. Having the nationality of or residence in the country where applicant’s application is submitted.

4. Applicant must have a bank deposit of Account balance no less than 800,000 Baht

5. Hotel booking or accommoddation arrangements.

6. Itinerary showing flight from home country to Thailand and flight out of Thailand.

For the proof of where you rent you need =

Signed copy of the Landlord's Thai ID card (or passport if the landlord is a foreigner).

Signed copy of the Blue Book (Tabien Baan, which shows the registered house/condo details and ownership).

Signed copy of the Chanote (Title Deed) or proof of ownership.

Rental / Lease Agreement signed by both you and the landlord.

TM.30 Receipt (Notification of foreign resident arrival submitted by the landlord to immigration).

Hand-drawn map showing the location of your residence (often required by local immigration offices, sometimes signed or verified).

Other request from the IO (like photo's of the, place, photo of you standing the house,... It is up to the IO Also do not pass the electronic gates when you enter Thailand with a visa , but go trough the manual gates ( Your Visa could be cancelled and you automatically been seen as on Visa exempt ))