@Stuart ********

good luck ...both work good for retirees, the O one to me is just a bit cheaper (particularly as you get older and insurance spirals!) And easier once you get past the money seasoning bit and a trip for the extension at 3 months.

@Stuart ********

for info Stuart, I had a non oa retirement and extensions for many years until I lost it getting stuck in the uk at extension renewal time. After much deliberation (and of course already having the 800k sitting in a thai bank) ...I decided to go for a 3 month non O and then extend within thailand for retirement. Proved a good choice ...easier and cheaper to get the visa in the first place, and extension times prove also cheaper without the mandatory insurance (of course you should choose some insurance, but you now have a much wider choice!)

Just my experience of trying both OA and O retirements

@Lee *********

ahhh ok, not so in uk, is an easy option, its an OA that requires alot of medical, not a 3 month O

Why not get a 3 month non imm o in your own country then do a retirement extension in thailand?

I have my 800k in Krungthai savings account that currently pays I think 0.25% (it varies year on year)....several standard savings accounts do I think ....one or twice a year I do a small withdrawal or top up to ensure the account remains active

Extension after 3 months does not require insurance, only the 3 month visa from outside thailand

@Nigel *********************

good questions ...I think the 5000 will say ....upto 5000

I dont have a covid stamp so cant comment.

I think the situation is probably ...upto 5000 baht (as correctly stated in all the documentation), at the office on any renewals 2000.

Perhaps some io are not correctly applying the rules. I have heard of both correct 2000 baht fines and also (but uncorroborated) 5000.