You can drive all the way there.

The best answer to your needs is to stay where you are. SSI most likely will not be enough. Medicare will not pay bills acquired here in Thailand. To get an O visa you need about million Baht and Baht 50,000 or more per month income. Insurance will be far more than you can afford if you can get any. I am healthy with no medical problems needing regular care or meds. At 85 insurance is sky high. I have several million Baht set aside for when I need money for emergency or health care. Multiply what money you have to work with by 35 and that will be close to the Baht you will get for that money. // Good luck.

That is why I have the emergency savings more than that.

They are tougher than you think.

I am 85 and have no insurance. I left the USA 30 years ago and have not returned. I now live in Thailand and pay the medical bills as they occur. I do have emergency savings if needed. Insurance after 70 is very costly. Medical in Thailand is affordable.

The Treaty of Amity

Very unusual for once a year. I am retired and have a monthly pay direct deposit to Thailand. I do all NY banking here and never had a problem here, I did have a problem with retirement pay and the nice lady at the bank who is in charge of retirement accounts caught the error and we had them fix it. She saved me from losing nearly million Baht. Thailand is a good place to live. Thailand is my home after I retired. Enjoy

If you are retiring in Thailand WHY do you want to have your money in a UK bank. Every time you need money you will pay the transfer fee and that adds up fast. The Baht 800K needs to be here in Thailand. Put it in an account and do not ever let that account get less than the 800K.

I am not and never have been overstay.

I have three accounts with Bangkok Bank, and they never asked me questions, and there was no charge to open them. Did you go to a bank or an agent? The 80K Baht you mentioned may be the required account to get a Visa. That would be 800K if you want a retirement visa.