What steps should we take as future retirees planning to live in Hua Hin, Thailand, and what visa options are recommended?

@Martyn ******

if you have plenty of money you don’t need to stand around in line, wasting your valuable time, and banks and immigration offices every year:

@Andy *******

Why would a private pension be locked?

@Sean ***********

they qualify for LTR. Don’t need an agent. Or immigration offices.

@Brandon ***********

he there Brandon,I am sorry to jump on this OP’s thread,but I’ve got a question that relates. We are over 50, we are moving to Hua Hin in January 2026 permanently. We are also spending 9 days there this October as we have some stuff for our house we are having built to deal with.

I see you have suggested to the OP to get the non-O on his trip prior to moving across so they can organise a bank account,and I am unsure whether I should look at doing this, I’m a bit confused about timelines though, if we have a non-o in October, leave to come back to the UK, would that mean we have to apply again for the non-o, or does it re-set itself and we would get a further 90 days when we land on 21st January.

I feel I’m overthinking things, but there is a lot to take on mentally and this my mind is going a bit crazy.

Also, am I correct in thinking the non-o men’s you don’t need police check (not that we have a criminal record) or medical insurance as I am getting conflicting info on this too.

Much appreciate it if you can respond.

Thank you

@Brandon ***********

I think for the bank account I would use an agent, relatively cheap and a one off arrangement.

I did it in June and was a bit of a hassle ,refused by three banks despite having everything required and the help of thai girlfriend translation. I got one in the end but after what I see and read its definitely more hassle now than it seems to have been in the past.

However with the funds they have I would stay clear of an agent for yearly extension as I'm sure they could do it themselves and then everything in their own control as it were.

@Brandon ***********

Hi Brandon. I am in a similiar position as OP and have a question for you. As background, I live in USA, retired in 2025. My finances good. The issue is I can not to move to Thailand until summer of 2026. However I plan to take a one month vacation before then. Would it make sense to apply to apply for non -o visa with my embassy here before the one month trip, so that I can try to open a bank account during that one month, or should I wait to apply for the non-o after the trip. Are there any issues to getting the non-o and then goung for one only month on that and then returning ti USA and then going back on the same visa?