Just an observation here (seeing as you’re an Aussie and I know about Australian immigration rules): A spouse visa application is available to a defacto couple who have been cohabitating for at least 12 months. A Thai marriage isn’t needed for that purpose. Now, before the Oz bush lawyers jump all over me and point out the that Australian family law works the same way for defacto and dejure, it seems to me that Thai law imposes additional obligations on top of that once you have that piece of Thai paper.

@Brook *******

happy to do that if I can scrape the 800k together. But I don’t mind buying legit insurance (hence my post question because I understand in Sydney they only need to see proof of my pension.

@Tony ********

here you go!

@Tony ********

no question of “will”! It DID get approved. If you read the document carefully you’ll see it is unlimited cover unless I go to a country on some warning list, or I board a cruise ship.

@Bobby *******

yes, so May 2023 is when my 12 months of deposits comes up. My question really relates to whether it’s okay for me to go in and out (90 days at a time), as I do have things in Australia to come back and take of in the intervening period.

@Bobby *******

there’s a real choice to be made here. I’m arriving mid-May on a 60 day visa. Would it be possible for me to open a Thai account, start depositing 65k, leave after 90 days (if ext granted) but keep up the monthly deposits. And move in and out until May 2023 when I apply for the retirement visa?

@Logan *********

I applied for my visa in Sydney and didn’t have to show any proof of hotel. I was asked my address during the stay and cited HOMA’s address without even booking or knowing if they were SHA

@Tod ********

which of the above categories is Australia in?

Good question! I’d like to know the answer to this obvious conundrum too. Helpful replies (as opposed to the sneering know all’s) would be appreciated!

@Bobby *******

I was hoping to hear from someone like you! I don’t have the 800k baht but as a former public servant, I have a lifetime pension that’s in multiples of the 65k requirement. But how do I show 12 months of that coming into a Thai bank account when I can’t even open one till I get there. Does that mean someone like me will be unable to get the retirement visa applying from Australia??