@Brian *********
O visa = general non-immigrant visa for retirees, dependents, or other reasons.
O-A visa = long-stay retirement visa issued outside Thailand.
The O-A (retirement) visa does have financial requirements.
Here are what the rules do require (as of 2025):
Must be 50+ years old.
One of:
• A bank deposit of THB 800,000 in a Thai bank (or outside + proof)
• A monthly income (pension / regular) of at least THB 65,000
• A combination of income + savings equalling 800,000 THB
If you mean first-year without extension, some aspects are a bit more flexible (e.g. funds outside Thailand or home-country bank statements) but even then you still need to show those sums.
Key differences:
Where issued: O-A is applied for at a Thai embassy/consulate outside Thailand. O is usually issued inside Thailand or abroad for shorter stays.
Length: O-A grants 1 year on entry. O typically gives 90 days, then you extend inside Thailand for 1 year.
Financial proof: O-A requires showing 800,000 THB or 65,000 THB/month before getting the visa. O only needs proof when applying for the 1-year extension.
Insurance: O-A requires mandatory health insurance covering at least 400,000 THB inpatient and 40,000 THB outpatient. O does not (as of 2025) unless required for certain hospitals.
Renewal: O-A renewal can be done inside Thailand, but if you leave it too long you may need to re-apply outside. O extensions are done entirely in Thailand.