Yes the downside with Non O is that you’ll need to seasoning some of your own money in a Thai bank (800K baht) unless your embassy provides you an affidavit letter regarding income. But it’s still your own money in the end of the day. Privilege you just pay for and none of benefits are defendable unless your not passed 50 years.
With a Irish passport you’ll get your 60 days free stamp upon arrival. I guess you also have a retur or onward ticket within these 8 days so you’ll be fine regarding this requirement too. (If your airline ask during check-in)
Ok, good luck for Aussie people past 60 years then. In Norway you could only get taxable 4-5% interest at the moment. Normally less as the general interest now is quite high. I got your point. (The amount has to be related to 800K baht x 5 months and 400K for the rest.)