I moved to Thailand 2.5 years ago from Germany on a Non-Immigrant O-A retirement visa and am currently living in Mukdahan province on my second extension of stay, valid until Oct 1, 2023.

As my German embassy in Bangkok refuses to certify my existing German health insurance, with which I entered Thailand and which runs until Sep 30, 2025 (such a certification is required by Order of the Immigration Bureau no. 312/2564 to use it for extension of stay), I unfortunately still have to buy a Thai insurance on top of my German one, to meet the requirements for extension of stay based on O-A. Therefore I am planning to apply for an O retirement visa at my Mukdahan Immigration Office now. I am aware that I cannot switch directly from O-A to O, but have to apply for the O visa new.

My plan therefore would be:

- Leave Thailand for vacation to Vietnam (or any other neighbouring country) late September without buying a re-entry permit

- Return to Thailand on a visa exempt (30 days) after the vacation in early October

- Apply for a 90 day O retirement visa at Mukdahan Immigration Office shortly after my return (I do have a 800k bank account since years and would do the paper work before/directly after the vacation)

- In due time apply for a 1 year extension of stay on that visa

Questions:

- Is it possibble to enter Thailand on visa exempt from a neighbouring country (or would I need to enter from Germany (where my passport is from)?

- Would I need to provide a return flight ticket, if entering on visa exempt?

- Does anybody know whether Mukdahan Immigration Office gives an under consideration stamp only first?

- Does anybody have experience with Mukdahan Immigration Office and knows, whether 30 days would be sufficient to run the full process?

- Does anybody know, whether I would have to proof a foreign source for the money in my bank account at Mukdahan Immigration Office, when applying for an O retirement visa? If so, would copies of the corresponding debits from my German bank account, transfer notes from Wise plus copies of the entries on my Thai bank account work?

- Anything else important I should think of / be prepared for, if trying the above?

Sorry for the long post, would be great if someone can help me bringing some light into the dark.

TIA, Carsten