If 50 or over, retirement visa is the simplest. Only requires one annual visit to immigration. I didn’t exit Thailand for six years so only cost was 1,900 baht per annum. If you wish to exit Thailand a reentry permit is required. Single exit/reentry costs 1,000 baht. Multiple 3,800 baht.

@Ray ****

OP says his starting point is Bangkok so he hasn’t got a long journey to a provincial airport then another flight leg to Bangkok. Makes good sense!

@James *******

My personal experience is the degree of difficulty with ‘required’ documents varies depending upon to whom you speak at the immigration office………..

Assuming you’re not at the 360 day point, have you thought of applying for an extension at your local immigration office? There are reports of this being very difficult/virtually impossible. However, we don’t know what is true or not. Plus, it can all depend upon how you go about it. Taking a Thai person with you always helps to obtain results IMHO.

@Paul ******

You tell me. It was you who brought up backpackers to dis low cost airlines. Need more medication?

Yes, 10,000 THB for the five year DTV. After 90 days you must make a report to your local immigration office. You have a choice of applying for an extension after 180 days at your local immigration office for a fee of 1,900 THB. Otherwise, you must exit. After 360 days you must exit. Rinse and repeat.

Anonymous participant 627 What is their minimum income requirement? Did they tell you?

@Robert ********

It’s one of three things. Either a return or onward ticket during the permitted period of visa exempt entry (currently 60 days) or, ‘some sort of visa’.

@Paul *****

Thai Airways asked to see either a return/onward ticket or, ‘some sort of visa’ when I checked-in at Munich for a Bangkok flight with a one-way ticket.

@जगद्गुरु ****************

Thanks! Haven’t seen this website previously. Just tried the online application check. It says I would qualify under soft power (Thai cuisine). However, it only asks about the 500,000 THB. No mention of proving income via six monthly payslips. Minimum income required is another matter. Known only to embassy processors and, no doubt, varies between countries!