Thanks to everyone for the advice, it's been very helpful 🙏

OK, I see, the 1 year extension is the 'retirement visa'. Thanks for correcting me. So I could come in on the tourist visa, be a tourist for a while, then get the 1 year extension from that. That sounds perfect. thanks for your help

@Glenn ****

Yes, and not that far from state pension age

@Declan *********

Looks like ed visa isn't the best way to go then

@Pascal *******

I'll keep that in mind, I'd prefer to be as legitimate as possible, though I appreciate that's not always the best way to get things done

@Steve ******

I'm getting that gist, everyone's saying Non O, though I need more clarification on that. A retirement visa might be better if I can convert form tourist or Non O to that

@Brook *******

This Non O sounds good, is this the same as the tourist visa or is it something different? lots of mentions of it. I'm reaqlly looking for small and boring, I'm looking peace and quiet and nature, I'd rather not stay in a big city, though occasional visits would be nice

@Henrik ****

Yeah, a trial run is definitley the plan, ideally for a year in Pai, though I did want to catch up on some friends before I go there. After a year I can decide

@Dan *******

A couple of thingson that, I'm not looking for the high life, kind of the opposite, I want a quiet life. I'm also not that far off my state pension which would double the amount I have, and finally, tablets and a bottle of whisky (or rum in my case) sounds like an excellent solution to avoid becoming a dribbling mess :D

@Kool ******

This sounds like what I'm looking for. I am not that fussed about an edu visa, and would prefer not to pay a school. If I can come in on a tourist visa and change to a retirement visa that would be good. A lot of people here have mentioned the type O visa but I don't really understand it. Are you suggesting a tourist visa based on retirement (how does that work) or getting a retirement visa in my home country (the UK), which then leaves the problem of getting a Thi bank account while in the UK. I'm not sure how I would do that