@Graham ****

it's not illegal to use an agent, but it is illegal to circumvent the rules (things like using the agents 800,000 baht instead of your own money).

@Greg **********

I am exactly the same, so easy to do and takes an hour or so once a year.

@Pete ******

you don't need an agent it is very easy.

You need to apply for a non O visa online at the Thai Embassy in your country before coming to Thailand.

Enter Thailand using the visa.

Open a Thai bank account immediately and deposit the 800,000.

Go to immigration and ask for a list of requirements to extend your stay based on retirement.

Wait until your money has seasoned for 2 months, then go to immigration with everything on their list and pay 1,900 baht.

The form to apply is a 2 sided A4 form with about 15 questions, things like; name, passport number, date of arrival in Thailand etc.

Good luck.

@Marty ******

when did you do this, more than a few months ago?

It's virtually impossible to open a bank account without a long term visa now.

Only the non OA visa requires criminal checks and insurance.

Most people opt for the non O instead, online at the Thai Embassy in their country.

@Kristie ******

you need to get a non O visa before travelling to Thailand online from the Thai Embassy in your country. It used to be possible to come without a visa and open a bank account, but that's not possible now.

If you avoid the non OA visa, you don't need criminal checks and medical insurance.

It's more complicated than getting a non O visa before you come to Thailand, as it's virtually impossible to open a bank account without a long term visa.

@Tom ********

as always Brandon is the 'Oracle' as far as visa advice goes.

Another bonus of doing it in the UK before you come, is that you then do not require an onward flight.

@Sam *****

for the first year you must deposit 800,000.

If you have 12 times 65k monthly deposits the second time you extend, you can show evidence of the 65k per month to extend the second time.

Seems like you know the answer already, but the legal option is obviously the answer.

You could do it legally and transfer 65,000 baht each month in addition, so that the second year you can withdraw your money and put it back into your savings account in the UK.

@Tore ********

okay, I had not heard of that before, but I guess 99% of people will not come to Thailand needing medical treatment.