@James *******

yup indeed changed ...but let me check with you:

Both OA and O insurance requirements are the same (and less? Than the old OA requirement)

Is there any insurance requirement for extensions of OA and O (retirement) inside Thailand now???

@James *******

thanks James ...will look up on the thai embassy website to update myself ...being on an O extension (retirement) hopefully will continue to not be relevant (until the next change? 🙄)

@Marilyn *****

covid insurance yes, everyone currently has to have. The 40k out and 400k in insurance for OA is a significantly heavier burden. Not required for O retirement extension. Better general Medical insurance can be bought overseas rather than in thailand for medical bills. Some may even cover the covid requirement.

@Marty ********

ahhh yup, not wanting the 800k deposit. Understand the motivation now!

The way you are doing it is a quite expensive and complicated way ...extensions in country are usually easier, and can be done by logistics on your foreign trip dates. Arguably a non imm O for 3 months and then extend in thailand yearly due to retirement is cheaper and easier by avoiding the mandatory thai insurance required for oa retirement visas

@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