What is the process for obtaining a Non-O visa based on retirement in Thailand after being visa exempt?

Sadly, this is immigration office dependent, and you need to hit the ground running (i.e. do it TODAY!). You will need to get an in-country visa. SOME immigration offices do not sell an in-country office, but I THINK if you're in someplace with lots of foreigners (Bangkok and the surrounding areas, Chiang Mai, Phuket, etc.), you'll be able to get the in-country visa. For Bangkok, they require AT LEAST 15 days remaining on the "admitted to" stamp, and for Chiang Mai, they require AT LEAST 21 days remaining on the "admitted to" stamp.

STEP ONE: Get an in-country Non-O Visa Based on Retirement.

1. Your passport and a copy of:

a. The data “picture” page.

b. The most recent visa (if applicable).

c. The most recent entry stamp or extension of stay (if applicable).

d. The departure card (“TM 6”) stapled in the passport.

2. If entered on a tourist visa, a TM 86 visa change request form, and if entered on a visa on arrival, visa exempt, or bilateral agreement, a TM 87 visa change request form. Some immigration offices may require their own forms.

3. A copy of the submitted Notification of Residence of Foreigners form ("TM 30”) submitted by your landlord.

4. A letter from a Thai bank showing that 800,000 THB was transferred into the bank account from overseas, or pension from overseas of no less than 65,000 THB a month, or a combination of both income and pension, totaling 800,000 THB.

5. A hand drawn map to the house where the applicant resides.

6. 2x passport sized (4cm by 6cm) photos.

7. A processing fee of 2,000 THB.

This will give you a 90 day in-country visa. When there is 45 days or less remaining (30 days or less remaining) acquire the extension of stay and the re-entry permit to keep the extension of stay alive.

STEP TWO: ACQUIRE A ONE YEAR EXTENSION OF STAY BASED ON RETIREMENT.

1. The applicant’s passport and a copy of:

a. The data “picture” page.

b. The most recent visa (if applicable).

c. The most recent entry stamp or extension of stay (if applicable).

d. The departure card (“TM 6”) that should be stapled in the passport.

2. The extension of stay application form (“TM 7”).

3. A copy of the submitted Notification of Residence of Foreigners form ("TM 30”).

4. To meet the financial requirements of either:

- 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account seasoned for 2 months along with a letter from the bank. If renewing the one year extension of stay, the 800,000 THB must be seasoned for two months before applying and three months after the last extension of stay was granted, and for the money not to have been lower then 400,000 THB throughout the calendar year, Or;

- 65,000 THB a month in income to a Thai bank transferred from overseas, Or;

- A letter from the embassy stating the applicant receives 65,000 THB a month in income from overseas.

5. A hand drawn map to the applicant’s residence. Some immigration offices may want this map on a special paper.

6. 2x passport sized (4cm by 6cm) photos.

7. 1,900 THB processing fee.

STEP THREE: ACQUIRING THE RE-ENTRY PERMIT (At any immigration office and some international airports):

1. Your passport and a copy of:

a. The data “picture” page.

b. The most recent entry stamp or extension of stay.

c. The departure card (“TM 6”) stapled in the passport.

2. The Application for Re-entry Permit (“TM 8”) form.

3. 2x passport photos.

4. The fees of EITHER 1,000 THB for a single entry re-entry permit or 3,800 THB for a multiple entry re-entry permit

Check with the Immigration office or their website?