What should I do to prepare for a 3 to 6 month stay in Thailand for retirement?

Getting scammed

condoms

Personally took me 2 years to settle but 6 months should give u an idea

I think you should try it from end of February until end of August. You will get a taste of the nice weather at the end of the most bearable part of the year followed by the most unbearable weather. It is extremely hot and humid from end of March April and May then rainy season follows that. November Decwmber January and February are beautiful. You will also get the extremely hot weather April and May. This should help you see if you can tolerate the climate. Good Luck.

Once you’ve traveled around the country and returned back to your own, apply for a non-O Retirement visa before returning; that will enable you to get a Thai bank account, which will make everything easier once you are here. There are financial requirements to secure a Non-O visa. Thailand is changing these days and not all for the better, so a lot of expats are moving to Viet Nam, Cambodia, and the Philippines, where it is easier and cheaper to stay long term. You might consider visiting those countries, too, before you make your final decision where to retire.

6 months? How you gonna do that exactly?

Money

Just show up and don’t learn anything

Where?

Come at different times of the year to experience and understand the weather patterns. Come to different places to experience and understand life in the major cities vs the smaller towns, the mountains vs the central valley of coastal areas. Make several trips and make them 30 to 60 days or longer so you have time to get out of tourist mode and begin to get a feel of actual living here. Decide if you need the convenience of a city and public transportation, if you want to be around other Ex-pats in areas that speak English. If you want to live out in the country and smaller towns you're going to have to learn at least some basic Thai language words and phrases. That will get you started and allow you to decide where and how you want to live here.

If you are thinking about permanent retirement here then you should firstly stay 6 months from April to September. That'll give you a real insight into living in thailand rather than holiday mode

As mentioned

Apply for a Multi Entry tourist Visa from the Thai Embassy website in your home country

This will enable you to enter Thailand for up to 6 months +

Apparently Thai immigration are cutting it from 60 days to 30 days in the next few days.

For 3 months a 60 day tourist visa with a 30 day extension. For 6 months a multiple entry tourist visa which will get you stamped in for 60 days every time you enter as long as the visa remains valid