@Gary **********

This is the price for a renewal not the first retirement visa

Done mine this year get a certificate of residence from local immigration office get a medical from local clinic then do the online test once you pass the on line test go to a local driving license office and do the test foe depth of vision and traffic light test and pay for both licenses they will issues them same day took about 3 hours to do the simple tests and sort the licenses cot about 1500bht for both

The easiest way so you not need all the checks and medical insurance is to get a non o 90 day visa come to Thailand the open a bank account using the Non O visa then extend it to 12 months

You will get a 60 day visa exemption free on entry,that can be extended to 90days for less than 2000 bht

Apply for a Non O 90 day visa ,no police checks ,no health insurance, get a bank account when you arrive then extend the visa to 12 month when in Thailand ,simple renew every year,you can pay the 800,000bht into your Thai account or pay an agent to do this for you and leave the money in your home country getting more interest that the agent costs,this visa can be renewed every year

You do not need a Thai driving license if you are only coming for 10 days

You don't need a return flight with a non O visa

Yes but don't go near the Bangkok bank ,try Kasikorn bank ,check the cost of you bank transferring the money again wise .

The UK embassy stopped doing this don't know if the Irish embassy does.

@Alison *********

If you are over 50 a Non O is ok to open a bank account that's what I used to open 2 account, please be careful opening an account with the Bangkok bank they are have all sorts of trouble freezing accounts without notice closing account stay well clear ,I went over to Kasikorn bank they have been great.