What is the process to obtain a retirement visa in Thailand if I currently reside in the UK?

@Ke***

seeing as you already have your funds here in a thai bank account you have one critical step out of the way ;) (getting a bank account opened and getting the money here) 　

Check with the Thai consulate in London about getting the 90 day single entry Non-O visa based on being over 50 (I don't know if they offer it for that reason anymore) and if they do, snap it up before you come here as it will cut two steps out of the process coming wtihout it.

BUT

If you can't get it, once you get here go immediately to the immigration office and get the hand out listing the requirements needed to apply for the 90 day in country Non-O based on retirement and then apply for it. You will turn in the documentation pay the 2000 baht and it will go under consideration for 2 weeks I believe then you go back and get the Non-O visa and a new 90 day entry stamp inked in.

THEN

you wait until you have 30 days or less left on that stamp and go back and apply for the yearly extension pay 1900baht and then get a re-entry permit (single 1000baht or multiple 3800baht)

@Keith ****************

IF you can't get the 90 day single entry Non-O visa from the thai consulate before you come here (and IF you don't wanna get the O-A visa) another thing you could do IS;

Come here on a single entry tourist visa or a 30 day visa exempt entry and then immediately GO to the immigration office where you live and apply for a 90 day Non-O visa based on being over 50 (retirement).

Not all immigration offices do the in country conversion to a Non-O visa but Phuket does do it and I believe you need at least 21 days left on your current entry stamp to do it.

Okay, let's ignore a lot of the needless information and cut right to the chase. :O

Right now you CAN'T get back to thailand, SO whether you have 800K baht in a thai bank account in your name or not doesn't help you right now.

All you can do is wait, watch the news for when they do re-open the country to foreigners AND see if there are any new entry requirements when that happens.

You could go to the website of the thai consulate in London and look at the year long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O-A (Long Stay) visa options. That way you could get a 'retirement visa' before you came back here and not have to fool with anything here

OR

You can come back when ever you can and then start the process of applying first for a 90 day Non-Immigrant Type O visa (note there is no A after the O) and then a yearly extension at the Phuket Immigration office.