Thanks all for the comments, most of which contain some useful information for later perhaps but none of them has answered my basic question: what is Savannakhet looking for with respect to item 5? Most likely the answer will only come from someone who has actually applied for a non-O visa based on retirement there.
, I'm curious to know where you have seen that. I have been looking for information about visas from Savannakhet for the past week or so and have seen no mention of people being denied there if they are seeking their first visa based on being over 50.
and thanks for the response. I will be doing the 800k baht method however, I don't see anything in the posted requirements that indicated there is no need for item 5 if you are doing that. Neither the English version of the posted requirements or the Thai version has an or between item 4 and item 5. Without that, I have to assume that all 6 items are required for the non-O visa based on retirement.