First off it depends how old you are. Over 50 retirement visa pretty straight forward , most complicated part is opening a bank account to deposit the 800k. If you're under 50 not so easy, You need to look at the Thai embassy web site to see which you might qualify for. You cannot just come to Thailand & hope to find a job so you will need plenty of saving or some type of income.

Visa's aside its pretty easy to get set up, plenty of property to rent, get an IDL before you come if you have a UK driving license, you can use this for 3 months during which you need to get a Thai license which is quite simple.

Not much you can't get here, life is simpler, been here 6 years now.

You do need to ask more specific questions if you want real help

Sorry did I read that right? South of France or anywhere else not from western world?

@Nick ******

Oops

You don't say what passport your son holds but if he is coming on a tourist visa or visa exempt you may have to show a return ticket. Some airlines require this before they will allow you to board & it is rarely asked for at immigration. Try googleing onward ticket & book anything out of Thailand. Don't forget that immigration may ask him for proof of accomadation, so an invitation from you & you can also be asked to show proof of funds, I think BT or equivalent.

With regard to if he wants to stay longer as a dependent, I think he would need to have been legally adopted by his step father to be able to piggy back on his visa as you have to show proof of relationship. At 15 I assume if he stays he will go to school so may be able to apply for an education visa. You don't say what visa you hold so would it be possible to be your dependent?

I think it would make sense to talk with your local immigration office to see what they suggest or call the Thai embassy in the country he is from.

Have a look at Hua Hin area, coastal, large expat population including a lot of ladies, easy access to Bangkok if required

Try here or contact red cross, there is a small xpat group who donate rh-

Thai friend did this trip a couple of months ago, flight booked to Dublin but UK visa. She was denied boarding & had to rebook via heathrow which was both costly & time consuming.

@Stewart *********

I'm actually in Hua Hin but yes you'll find expat communities in most areas. There are alot of gated communities here that are mainly expat/thai couples the best area depends on what you are looking for as we are all different, consider what your average day will be & what you'll spend time doing.

While I like Chiang Mai I would struggle with the air quality during burning season, for me Hua Hin has everything I need.

@Stewart *********

800k each unless you are married in which case 1 retirement & 1 dependant/trailing spouse. You will need to get your marriage certificate legalised & translated for use in Thailand.

If you're worried about exchange rates you can have a foriegn curreny account with most Thai banks & acceptable by Immigration. Your problem now if you did this would be showing the money came from overseas