You haven't said which visa you'll be entering on

They try to con every farang to buy their insurance! Most realise it's a rip-off. But we live and learn. No, you most definitely do not need insurance to have a bank account

You might find the strictest regulations when you return to Isaan. This report was posted today in Thailand Travel Restriction group, which you might find useful to join and post your question there

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Jay Storey. There are a number of hurdles including the mandatory insurance for the first 90 days and for each subsequent extension, but the biggest complaint from people was the need to provide a confirmed and paid hotel accommodation receipt for the entire 90 days (or at least for the 75 days after quarantine). This kind of negates the flexibility of a tourist visa (many tourists like flexibility in where they're travelling, not having to state exactly where they will be every day, and to pay for it in advance). There is no scope to change it for another visa once in the country, and there is no possibility to go beyond the 270 days. Go to the embassy website and look at the conditions, perhaps this relaunched STV might have different conditions but I doubt it. The admins and mods in this group generally refer to it as "the worst visa ever" and between them they have a lot of knowledge of Thai visas

JF James. I'm a staunch supporter of the OA visa, which pre-covid was far and away the best visa for over 50's, and probably the best visa overall on value for money basis. I've had OA for years, but the STV comes with so many obstacles I wondered why people ever bothered with it. I only know how bad it is listening to those who have got it, and wish they'd gone for something different. There's a very small percentage of people who it could be advantageous to, but they certainly wouldn't be 50+ years of age.

JF James. Do NOT even think about the Special Tourist Visa!!! It will do nothing but cause you headaches!!!

There is no way in the world to predict what will happen on November 1st. Thai government agencies are notorious for backflips and postponements. Back in May, ASQ was reduced to seven days. An outbreak at a nightclub in Thong Lo meant ASQ reverted to 14 days. The only advice I give is not to assume anything. November 1st could similarly see restrictions re-imposed. Always wait for official announcements from the cabinet, not from TAT!

JF James. Yes, you can get a non-O (50+) for 90 days, and can extend this another year at immigration, although that means transferring 800k baht into a Thai bank account. Or you can do the non-O (married to a Thai) which requires only 400k transferred.

Charles Carlisle. If he's not going to be spending more than a year in the country, he doesn't need money in a Thai bank account. As for the covid extensions, they're on their last legs

If you've got health insurance in the UK which covers the minimum 400k hospital 40k outpatient requirement you can use this to get an OA visa, which is your best option. You might find it difficult, and certainly very expensive getting Thai health insurance cover as rates and accessibility go up from 75 years up. The OA visa is obtained by showing funds in your own country.