@Johnson ****

There's no medical certificate or police report required for in-country applications or medical insurance for that matter (which may or may not be applicable for an ASEAN member), so not sure how, but whichever option you choose, it's always worth knowing the pros and cons of each process 😁

Generally speaking, it's much easier to just fly into Thailand on tourist visa or visa exempt and then apply to convert to Non-O in-country. Plenty of threads on how to do it

@Av *********

you're probably thinking about Treaty of Amity transactions which are different (and a bit complicated), but definitely for Americans only

@Dan *******

It'd be great if they actually stuck a notice up on their board or Facebook page making clear what they require 😏

@Dan *******

I read that CM DID require a TM30 after returning from abroad. The justification was that they needed to correlate the TM6 number with the TM30 but since they've effectively abolished the TM6 not sure if they've changed policy again

@Martyn **********

Same in Chiang Mai

@Brandon ***********

Pretty sure that the first 90DR has to be done in person

@Istvan ********

If you're questioned why/how you're on holiday during term-time, you'd definitely need a letter authorising you to be away from class. I didn't say it's something that always checked, but it has been reported as an issue for some people over the years so it absolutely is "a thing". With respect, simply because you haven't heard of something does mean it doesn't exist. Like they say, something isn't ever a prone until it's a problem. My school didn't even tell me I needed a letter cancelling my ED visa, and I left Thailand and returned without any questions from the IO but at my next extension the IO insisted on getting the cancellation letter. Just shows that there's not always consistency amongst IOs (or schools for that matter)

@Jeffrey ******

Need to check requirements for 'seasoning' of funds for first application. Main advantage of doing the VE is no requirements for health insurance. Speak to an agent if unsure but most if not all requirements are online these days. I've never done the process. I converted from ED to Retirement in-country

Retired in Thailand means over 50. You don't actually have to be 'Retired' as long as you're not working in Thailand. If you have the money requirements sorted its 100% for the retirement visa as a) easier to get b) no requirements to attend school c) no requirements to pay for school d) ED visa has to be extended whereas retirementis 1 year (check whether O or OA are most suitable for you). If you're on ED and want to go on holiday, even within Thailand, you'll need a letter from the school to avoid any potential problems. At the end of ED visa you need to have it 'cancelled" in order to apply for a new visa class (or even in theory come back as a tourist). So all in all if you've got the money, even if you want to study (no problems studying on retirement visa) the retirement visa is the better option.