I used AXA there was a link from the Thai visa site that offered a choice, cost was very reasonable.

@Kevin ******

it’s the laughing man emoji that got me thinking you were being ironic

@Andy ******

I fully accept understand that but 20 years + ago ex pats didn’t do boarder bounces in some remote villages unless they had to. The local immigration cop would collect all the ex pats passports and for a small fee they would drive the passports to the boarder, stamp them out and in again. That’s stopped many years ago. If you read Thai immigration law using an agent or bribing a government official to circumvent immigration law is a serious offence. Do you really think that your defence of “doing as the Thais do” will help if the powers that be get a hard on for you or your corrupt official? Anyhow hopefully there never will be a crackdown as there’s not enough space in prison for all the offenders if it came to that. Another factor is that deportations would be in the thousands and that would seriously harm the economy.

@Henrik ****

it is difficult to get a bank account unless you have a long term visa. With a non O or non O-A retirement visa there will be no trouble.

I’m not sure where you get your information about residence certificate. You can get one the day you arrive in Thailand even if on visa exempt. All you require for a residence certificate is the completed application form, TM30, passport copy and passport, passport size photograph the fee and patience to wait at immigration. I have obtained residence certificates in the past within days of entering as a tourist and in April got 3 the day after entering on a visa.

@Kevin ******

I am a lawyer and I can read. Presuming you are being ironic which bit do you think I got wrong?

@Kevin ******

sorry is this an ironic post?

@Nick *******

BTW I’m not being righteous about using an agent thousands upon thousands of people do it. I’m just pointing out whilst it’s accepted it’s not legal. Your agent is bribing an immigration officer on your behalf to bypass the financial requirement. You also need to budget for the repeat agent fee as every year you must pay again. Another thing to consider is medical expenses as many sensible people have mentioned. You will need health insurance or you could end up with substantial bills in the event you need treatment.

Anyway best of luck to you.

@Osian *******

that’s not strictly true. It’s 800k baht in uk savings or UK bank statements showing monthly deposits of 65k baht equivalent for the three months prior to the visa application. I’m not saying is wrong for his opinion I’m saying he’s wrong for shouting bullshit from the safety of his keyboard.

@Damien *******

hi it’s not bullshit it’s a proper way to do it , you can get a non O outside of Thailand travel on the visa then if you use an agent they will get the extension of 12 months for a fee. Another way is to enter visa exempt for 60 as you suggest and then get an agent to get your visa and 12 month extension.

But please don’t forget using an agent to get around the capital / income requirement is actually illegal despite it being common practise.

Hi nick , don’t be put off by people saying you don’t have enough income. That’s all very subjective as different people have different needs. If you want to live in a pool villa or beachside apartment eating at top restaurants and drinking every day then stay in the UK on that income. If you are content with a small room no aircon, swim in the sea not a pool and eat street food or cook yourself you will survive. But there is a massive gulf between survival and living. As for your visa get an non O-A visa in UK , that’s 12 month multi entry visa , you need to show three months consecutive payments into uk account of 65,000 baht equivalent , you need to pay for health insurance , a health certificate and a police check.

The other way to get around the income / capital requirement is to use a visa agent. That will cost you 20-40k baht depending who you use. To do that route you need to get a 3 month non O visa before travel.

Hope some of that helps