What steps should we take to obtain a Retirement or Non-O visa in Thailand while on a tourist visa?

Get this visa and you'll have nearly 2 years of not needing to worry about anything assuming you leave and return just before your 1 year expires. This is the best route to go

The Non-O is "the retirement" visa, or the "marriage" visa, depending on the route.

But, to get it inside if Thailand you need to have had 800k baht sitting in your bank account for 2 months already.

OR your Embassy writes a affidavit as a proof of your income/pension. But a lot of Embassies have stopped this service altogether.

The US for example, no longer provides this.

So you will need to get a Thai bank account.

To get a Thai bank account you will need a long term visa ( like the Non-O )

They will NOT give you a bank account on a tourist visa, and agents are struggling opening them for tourists too.

It will be much easier if you apply for the Non-O before you leave.

Enables you to theoretically open a bank account when you arrive, which gives you just enough time to season the money required.

If your embassy does not offer the affidavit, and you do not have the 800k, you could always go with the Non-OA. The Non-OA, if you time your last entry properly, can get you close to 2 years in Thailand to sort out bank and start transferring monthly a minimum of 65k baht for 12 consecutive months before your application to extend your stay further.

The Non-OA does have more requirements though. Including health and police certificates, and mandatory insurance.

You should have got a Non-O retirement Visa not a Tourist Visa, that would have made things much easier for you

If you are both able to open a bank account in your own names then when you have at least 15 days left on your stamp you can each apply for a Non-O visa assuming you are both over the age of 50. You both will need to have a minimum of 800k baht in your thai bank account transferred from overseas in order to apply

The non O is the retirement visa (if you choose that option).

Get it online from the Thai Embassy before you come to Thailand. When you get to Thailand, open a bank account immediately and deposit 800,000 baht each in your accounts. Go to immigration and get their list of requirements to extend your stay for 12 months and start collecting the necessary documents. Once your money has been in your Thai account for 2 months apply for the extension.

It used to be possible to enter Thailand on a tourist visa, but the banks have stopped opening bank accounts unless you already have a long term visa.

You are in a catch 22 situation. To get a Retirement visa, you need yo season money in a Thai bank account. But you cammot open a Thai bank account on a tourist visa. You need to get a long term visa before coming to Thailand. Then you can open a bank account and get a retirement visa.

Speak to Lawyer for Expats (Thailand) - Brian Ramsden. He will offer you an initial FOC consultation.

When in Thailand, go to the nearest Immigration office, and ask them.....