Understand that your biggest expense living here will be your children's schooling. International school is expensive, from bt40,000 a month per child to over bt100,000 a month per child, depending on the quality of schooling. They can't go to public schools as they are not fluent in reading, speaking, and writing thai. If you want them to have a good education you're looking at US$4000+ a month just for their tuition fees for a good school, not counting all the other expenses associated with school. By not being married you need your own visa.

@Jim *******

only after the first year. As an American he can not use the income method the first year.

Just because you buy a tourist visa in no guarantee they will let you in.

You shouldn't have problems, unless you are trying to bring a whole orchestra with you. Do expect to be asked about the kind of work you do if they do question you about it. Quite a few younger tourists bring musical instruments with them, guitars, and such. As long as they don't get the impression you'll be trying to make extra money on the side, you'll be fine.

In that time they could very easily raise the time of the banked money to six months, like in Hanoi. The time limits are changing monthly, and even weekly at some embassies, based on recent reports. They lots of times also want to see your most recent income tax filings.

@Paul ********

the one very important detail you are missing, or simply forgetting, is that to apply for the type O based on retirement inside Thailand to get the initial 90 days, the bt800,000 must be in a Thai bank account in your name only. You can not use your foreign bank inside Thailand, and you can not get a Thai bank account on any tourist visa. You can use your foreign bank account balance if you apply outside of Thailand, like in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, or Malaysia, but not inside Thailand. Lots go to Penang to apply.

The eye drops is the problem, as those are considered pharmaceutical products, and require an import license. You can not get the needed import license yourself, as you don't have a legal business. You need a Thai doctor to help you import them, if they are medically needed, and not available in Thailand. The UV sleeves you can buy in Thailand. Just refuse to accept the package from customs

Get separate type O 90 day visas based on retirement before you come to Thailand. This will give both of you the ability to easily get Thai bank accounts. First not all immigration offices accept joint accounts with the bt1.6million for your one year extensions the first year. Also, it is real convenient for you both to have a Thai bank account here, with most moving to scan to pay with a Thai bank account.

The BOI, board of investment, handles those visas, not the regular immigration offices, and they are very helpful, and easy to work with. You don't need an agent.

So you are saying you've never filed a tax return? It is asking for your most recent, not specifically last year's.