@Carlos ********

I love that movie. Do your carers let you watch TV?

Get the non O retirement or marriage visa from the Thai Embassy before coming back to Thailand. They last for 3 months but then can extend for 12 months and you will then need to extend annually, but extensions are relatively easy to do yourself. The retirement option is the easiest. They require funds in a Thai bank (k), but if you transfer a monthly sum to your account (k) you can use the monthly deposits instead of having money in the bank for the second extension and withdraw the lump sum. Good luck.

@Robert ********

never thought of that. I remember a Canadian friend told me his beautiful house in Vancouver was not really worth anything, it was the land that was valuable. Seems alien to people from the UK like me as the house itself has at least equal value.

@Robert ********

you can own a house, but not the land.

@Carla ******

I thought you were from the USA and if so, that Embassy will not provide the affidavit required to negate the requirement to have 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account. If you are from another country, double check the Embassy definitely provides the affidavit.

The non O is the retirement visa (if you choose that option).

Get it online from the Thai Embassy before you come to Thailand. When you get to Thailand, open a bank account immediately and deposit 800,000 baht each in your accounts. Go to immigration and get their list of requirements to extend your stay for 12 months and start collecting the necessary documents. Once your money has been in your Thai account for 2 months apply for the extension.

It used to be possible to enter Thailand on a tourist visa, but the banks have stopped opening bank accounts unless you already have a long term visa.

It's virtually impossible to open a bank account in Thailand without a long term visa, so it's a much better idea to get the non O visa before coming to Thailand. It also means you don't need an onward flight and you need one visit less to the immigration office.

@Ant **********

seems more like a classic sales technique...here's something I am going to tell you that you need and if you don't buy it now, it will be gone!

@Daniel ***********

you need the 800,000 for the first extension and for the second extension you need proof of 12 monthly deposits of at least 65,000 baht.

@Mary *****

not possible, it must be in a Thai bank. It's even getting difficult to open an account inside Thailand with a long term visa.