Hi All,

Sorry if this has been covered before, did a search but couldn't find a definitive answer.

After 5 months in Chiang Mai (60 day exemption x2 + one 30 day extension) I'll be returning to the UK early May 2025, coming back to CM early December. While here I got my bike license & Thai bank account (Bangkok Bank). My intention on my return is to apply for a retirement Non O visa (I'm over 50) but not sure which route to take.

1/ Put 800K Bht into the bank account 60 days before I return and apply for the retirement visa on my return, or perhaps apply for the Non O visa in advance at the London Thai consulate.

2/ Use the services of an agent who for around 29-35K give or take (for the first year, 16K approx there after) will supply the visa using their money so I do not have such a large amount earning almost nothing in a Thai bank account (0.6% interest rate).

The second option allows me to keep my money in a safe high interest UK bank account (at present earning 4.45%) which more than pays for the agents fees & is easily recoverable should anything happen to me while abroad. Also should there be a regime change or policy changes about foreigners & what we can or cannot do with money etc the money would be safe.

Do I play safe (option 2) or just bite the bullet & put 800K into the Thai bank?

Your opinions & suggestions will be much appreciated

Non O retirement visa requires 800,000 baht in a Thai bank. How difficult (or not) is it getting your money out and back to their home country if they decide to return home? Is it just a matter of a bank transfer? Any penalties?

For the Aussies in this group...

Since your superannuation was 1) taxed when the money was deposited, and 2) the withdrawals are tax free (at least in Australia)

Are transfers from your superannuation into your bank account 1) tax free due to reciprocal tax agreements with Australia, or 2) taxed since they consider the *withdrawal* as having been non-taxed?

Alternatively, if the transfer went from superannuation -> Wise -> convert AUD to THB -> transfer to Thai bank account, would this audit trail suffice to support your answer to the above question?

Finally, can you recommend a good accountant in Bangkok that would be familiar with this issue?

Good news for Americans, for the first time since 2017, the USD-Baht hits 34-1

Hi All

I arrived in Thailand this year January 31st on a retirement O-A multi-entry visa good for a year. I provided my proof of monies with my US bank account and investments.

I opened up a Thai savings account in March. I wasnt transfering money to the account yet as my Social Security didnt start till July 2020.

So I think I needed to be showing 65,000 Baht transfers each month for one year when I go to extend my one year retirement, which I wont be able to show.

I do have the 800,000 Baht I can transfer into my account. OK finally the Question. How many months do I need to show the 800,000 Baht in my account before my renewal date in January 2021? Thank you.

Please can someone remind me of how much per month for international transfer to one's Thai Bank account + how much one-off deposit if one choose to use the combination method to make it to the 80K deposit for the extension for retirement ?