What is the status of the parents? Thai foreigner or foreigner - foreigner? But as Tod Daniel replied, you dont have to worryvmuchbif the kids are in tgosevage range

If kids of the age you mentioned are overstay they can go and come back to thaipand and dont have to pay any fine also

Once you leave the country without re entry permit, your current will automatically end

If you all are 50 years old or above you can apply for retirement visa.

Once you leave Thailand and re enter thailand, you will get new 60 days visa exemption with 30 days extension

usually most of the Banks dont entertain if you are on tourist visa or visa exemption. They may ask for the letter from your embassy. I had shared information to your inbox. please read that. Hope that may help you

@Russell *******

Please counter check from different sources as well. I had shared some more information in your inbox. Hope those info will help and suit your requirements

@Graham *****

we can have different opinion but majority of my clients feel what I had stated.

Yes you should do like that first. Since you are SA national, you can get 60 days visa exemption with 30 days extension. So, you can stay 90 days. Do like this for 2 to 3 times and then visit various places in Thailand before taking final decision. Tastes and preferences of all of us are not same. May be the places I like you may not like. If you need any further information, feel free to ask

Before doing so, I would recommend you to come and live in Thailand for few years at different places. After few years you can then decide where in Thailand to settle forever. Do your good homework before take such huge decision. But overall, thailand is really very nice place to retire.