What should we know about retiring in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in two years?

You will get good advice and some bad - mostly good.

Care about the source of information. Often times people will tell you of their experiences or experiences of their friends. Those stories may be true but may not apply to you as your nationality determines your visa eligibility and requirements.

I have heard good things about Chaing Mai, also I have heard the seasonal pollution can be unbearable.

If you have a couple of extra dollars I would recommend coming to Thailand and visit several different areas. People speak well of HuaHin. I have never been there but I understand its nice. I live on the outskirts of Pattaya. My neighborhood is quiet and nice and next to the sin city of the world. You wouldn't find my neighborhood unless you lived here for a little while.

Some things to consider when looking at different areas to live

- Friendliness of the Immigration Office. Some are better than others and this isn't necessarily a deal breaker

- Expat community, is there one, is it big or small. Ordering pizza in English is nice, trying to order pizza in Thai is regrettable. You will see what I mean you get here.

- Access to stuff. Koh Tao has no movie theater (the last I knew) and the grocery stores are so great. Great place to visit but its a die-hard farang that enjoys living there.

You will find your grove. Welcome to Thailand.

Look at phuket. Beach and way less air pollution

Currently both of you need 800k in separate individual accounts. Unless you can manage to get a dependent Visa on the initial retiree. This has gotten quite complicated in recent months.

If you are fortunate to be from country (NOT American or British) that gives proof of income, it will be easier...as you can use income based method.

But as people mention, requirements change regularly here.

Why not do it NOW!

My wife and I are starting to prepare as well. She has dual citizenship, we already have property up near Chiang Rai. I have been following the visa suggestions. Quite frankly, once I get there, I don't want to have to travel to keep getting it renewed. Don't mind having to update it, but do not want to have to leave the country to get it done. I have seen several recommendations for visa services. Anyone have a favorite one or one to stay away from? I have a pension and health insurance. Understand my US Medicare will not work there, but my Blue Cross should be OK. What are Americans that have/had Medicare doing?

Have you visited/considered areas other than Chiang Mai?

Two years from now I have no clue what the requirements will be. But currently you have the options of getting a visa from your home embassy or consulate prior to getting to Thailand or getting a visa in country off a tourist visa entry or exempt entry.

From your home country you could look at a Non OA visa, which is valid for one year from issue and is a multiple entry visa. On each entry you’d be stamped in for a year providing you have medical insurance for that time. You do have to provide stuff like financials, police checks and medical insurance to get it.

Another alternative is a non O visa based on being over 50. You still need to provide financials, but don’t need the police checks or (usually) insurance to get it.

Or come visa exempt or with a tourist visa and convert to a Non O in country.

The choice is yours.

This list is not extensive and may change within the two years you are looking at.

There was no question in your post?

If you are retiring in 2 years whatever the rules are now could possibly change, 2 years is a long time in Thailand,by all means look into the rules now, but by the time you apply the have probably changed. There are possible upcoming changes in the wind for next year, just follow posts and websites to keep abreast of it all.

First thing you need to work out is what visa you want. There are numerous so called "retirement" visas each with their own requirements. If you're thinking of the Non-O visa then I'd suggest getting it in the UK before you come, Non-O retirement for one and Non-O dependant for the other, that way you only need to put 800k baht in a Thai bank account and can both get annual extension from that

Good to start two years out. Others are right. Pollution in Chiang Mai is astonishingly bad and it’s a lovely area.

Get an agent to help out. Are you married to a Thai? That helps a lot. Especially if they have resident family as that gives you an address to use. If not - let the agent guide you thru the process.

It is so refreshing to see that someone is asking for advice/assistance and to see some of the replies are useless to say the least. Humorous replies are fine but the plain unhelpful are just crazy. Some people have nothing better to do than try to discourage people and be negative.

Start out with 60 + 30 days touristvisa, to test if it still is a dream come through, to stay in Thailand, when the everyday life kicks in.

%100 WAIT tell 1 Month before you arrive in Thailand?? Than start researching

Give some more info about yourselves and you'll get a lot of positive responses.

Air pollution is terrible in Chiang Mai. It's a risk factor for lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema, and stroke. It's my favorite city otherwise, though 😁