he probably brought over an older model that was locked to a certain provider… that was the case with many types of phones not just iPhones .. at least in Canada one cannot see a locked phone to customers any longer and it has been this way for years.
given that the eye phone is a case that has nothing to do with thailand or any Thai cell service provider. Most likely a defective product. And given that the eye phone is a case it is not possible that it is locked to a home network.. so the OP still seemed to be retiring to iPhones
when you go the visa site the Non O visa is actually under the “other visas” link… then look for the retirement option…
You are actually applying for a 90 day visa which you will then open a bank account in Thailand and then apply for a year extension.. hope that makes sense now
yeparoo a big shift … back in 2007 I walked across got my Malaysia stamp then walked back in less than 20 minutes and was back in Thailand 🇹🇭… ( I did have the year multiple entry visa but still had to go out three times that trip ..