My recommendations: 1) Apply for the 90-day Non-O "retirement" visa from home. Cost is ~THB 3,000 vice THB 14,000. It very easy to do yourself if you can follow simple instructions. Not sure if they still require health insurance now, so that may make the price difference less. 2) The 1-year extension will cost you THB 1,900 vice THB 19,000 to do yourself. Sure, there is more work to do but will you really be that busy in retirement that you can't set aside 2 days of your time once a year to do it yourself? 3) Using an agent to setup a bank account is worth the cost. Thai banks have become even more fickle about opening accounts for foreigners, so save the hassle of going to Immigration for a Residency Certificate and trying to find a bank that wants to deal with you. Do this as soon as you get here so you can have your THB 800,000 in the bank 60 days prior to your extension. I used an agent for one of my accounts and I was done 3 hours after walking in their office. IF you don't have the required funds to deposit then go the agent route.

If you're planning to get the OA visa then no need for a re-entry permit for your current visa. But your current visa is invalid once you leave without a valid re-entry permit, so what will you do if your OA application is denied?

@Ellie ******

US Social Security payments can be direct deposited into certain Thai banks, so why would that not be considered an international transfer?

I would recommend you bring cash & exchange at T.T. Currency Exchange. Then open a local bank account as soon as you can; recommend letting an agent help with this or you may be running all over town trying to find a bank that will help you. You can then transfer using Wise directly to your local bank. It will take a 1 to weeks to complete your first Wise transfer. Also recommend you open a Foreign Currency Account with Wise and that seems to make transfers faster. There are other ways to do it, but this worked for me

Start by searching for "real estate agent pattaya" using an Internet search engine. Plenty of agents with websites showing available condos. Sort by your requirements and you'll get an idea of what's out there. Once you're here you can go to an agent or just go to the condo which you're interested in. Many have a bulletin board of available condos.

I initially used Cornerstone Properties and they were pretty good. Using an agent "may" cost more as the owner has to pay them for their services, but they will take you around to the properties they represent and hopefully mediate any future issues with the landlord. You should expect to pay one month rent in advance and a 2 month security deposit, although you may luck out and find one with a 1 month deposit. Good luck.

No, you can't

Have you gotten a copy of the script and tried a local pharmacy? You could also take the script to another hospital pharmacy and check the price. But it sounds like something specialized that might not be available at a pharmacy.

From previous posts I have seen in this group, Immigration may very well question your motive for being here.

If you are taking an online course then no reason to be in Thailand. Would you get caught and sent on your way? Maybe not, but it would suck for you to have to pack up with a newborn and figure out where you will go.

@Paul ******

Just wanted to follow-up and say that I was wrong. After waiting nearly 2 months for my registration and plates, I get a message yesterday saying they need a residency certificate. Never mentioned it until they were ready to actually do the registration paperwork. TIT!