You might have liked Koh Samui from the pictures. I have been there 4 times, first 2003. when they opened their first siupermarket, a mini Lotus Tesco. Everything there is at leat 30% more expensive than in the mainland Thai.

Unless you are a millionaire who can afford to live near the beach, you may end up in the sticks, with interrupted water and electricity supply. You would not even know there is the sea nearby. Try to rent there, see the prices.

Over touristed. My daughter (a Thai national, then 19 years old) asked me: "Why the hell did we come to this shithole"?

Back to Googlers.

You certainly can. There was no need for tourist visa if you are a passport holder of one of 93 countries. Come in and out of Thai as your plans are.

@Robert ****************

I was told, in THAI VISA CENTRE (August 2024):

52,000 Baht if you have residence (yellow book)

58,000 Baht if you do not have.

What If I have 800,000 Baht in an account?

No difference in price? No difference. The agency somehow puts that money into your account (that they open for you).

After the initial retirement "O" visa, the prices as above, 22,000 Baht a year for them to handle it, extend it for another year, including 90 days reports.

@Nongnuch *******

"a minimum of 800,000 THB or equivalent in USD in any bank account anywhere, in your name"

Does it mean that my own bank account with more that 800,000 BAHT in Japan would quialify me?

The money has to in the sole account for each applicant. No dfference from embassy to embassy.

How did you open the accounts? On what kind of visa.

No bank would ask you about your marriage status. If you have a Thai partner, official or not, he/she would be a mere translator. Bank staff speak enough English to that extent anyway.

O-visa (can be 90 days),EVisa, plus "yellow book" would let you open a bank account. While doing that from within Thailand, no health insurance (from overseas), no police check report from your country of residence.

That is what I am intending to do: get "yellow book" on the condo I own in Bangkok, O visa 90 days, open a bank account, transfer 800,000 THB, let the funds sit in there for 2 months and apply for a retirement visa.

@Jon *******

Impossible. How could the Philipinos even come close to teach maths or anything other than English in Thai? Thais can not teach maths , science or anything?

My colleague, from Australia, married a Thai woman who was there on a working holiday visa. They had a baby.

To get her fully legal, not a partner but wife, it is like 15,000 AUD and takes years (she is not fully recognized 2 years as of May 2024.).

@Iain **********

Often? I have to see one African teaching English.

@Jon *******

Fillipinos, with their neutral accent are hired at cheaper schools.