Another Day in Paradise

[2lz2p]

A valid point, but it can be overcome by getting a Non-Immigrant O Visa for purpose of retirement from a Thai Embassy or Consulate before entering Thailand.

Yes, but getting that visa from outside Thailand means it would have to be an O-A visa, not the O. But can people get even that visa if they don't already hold a Thai bank account?

From what I understand, once a person has the O-A visa, it's always the O-A visa and cannot later be changed to the O visa, and in my opinion the O visa is preferable.

A Non-Immigrant O-A visa is usually described as a long-term visa (for retirees) and is only available in your country of residence. Non-Immigrant O visas can be obtained from most Thai Embassies or Consulates worldwide. Obtaining an O visa can be for several reasons, one of which is for the purpose of retirement. Below are links to the Thai Embassy in Washington DC showing the requirements for both types:

https://washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en ... retirement - Non-Immigrant O visa for purpose of retirement

https://washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en ... O and O-A - Long Term Visa

If someone enters Thailand Visa Exempt or on a Tourist Visa and cannot open a Thai bank account, they can go to a neighboring or nearby country, e.g. Laos, Hong Kong, etc., and apply for a Non-Immigrant O Visa for purpose of retirement. The embassy's website may show what documents they require or refer the applicant to the Thai eVisa system.

The Thai Embassy in Vientiane for visa requirements notes all visa are to be obtained through the Thai eVisa system and provides a link - https://www.thaievisa.go.th/visa/retirement


For a Non-Immigrant O Visa for purpose of retirement shows the following:

1. Biodata page of Passport or Travel Document
2. Photograph taken within the last six months
3. Document indicating current location (e.g., valid visa, receipt (s)/p roof (s) of payment of airline tickets or accommodation, etc.)
4. Financial evidence showing monthly income of at least 65,000 THB or equivalent, or having the current balance of at least 800,000 THB or equivalent (e.g., bank statements from any banks for the last three months, or proof of earnings)

It also notes when first accessing the system:

Attention : E-Visa applicants are no longer required to submit passports and supporting documents in person at the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General. It is important to note that you are only able to apply if you are currently not in Thailand. After the e-Visa application has been approved, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to applicants, which can be printed out for presenting to airlines and Thai immigration officials when traveling to Thailand.

[BKKDreamer]

I suspect you will say don’t worry about it until it happens

For those shopping for medical insurance I recommend checking with Cigna Global - https://www.cignaglobal.com - That is my medical insurance company and I am very pleased with them. The hospital makes all the arrangements with them and they pay the hospital directly. You do not have to pay anything out of pocket other than your deductible. And as long as you pay the premiums, which I find to be reasonable, fair, and competitive, they will insure you for life - while there are other medical insurance companies that have an age limit and will not insure you once you reach that limit.

I second what GB wrote above, as I also have Cigna Global - thanks to my ex-employer from whom I retired from. It is for life, and the premiums are deducted from my pension payments from my ex-employer.

[Gaybutton]

the premiums are deducted from my pension payments from my ex-employer.

I set up mine so that the premiums are deducted directly from my bank account. And you have a choice of paying monthly, quarterly, biannually, or yearly. I went with quarterly. You also get to choose your own deductible amount options. I chose the lowest deductible. If the premiums ever get to be too expensive, I can always up the deductible to reduce the premiums price. Even at my age (you folks will have to guess what that is - and I find it hard to remember anyway) and the lowest deductible, my premiums are slightly above US $10,000 per year - which I think is a very reasonable price and fully competitive with other insurance companies - and, as I said, as long as I pay the premiums I am covered for life.

There are all kinds of options and policy types available. They will be happy to have a sales representative call you and help personally decide which options are best for you - and no, they are not going to recommend unnecessarily high choices to boost up profits. They don't work that way. They have been totally honest with me right from the very start - and I have been with Cigna for many years now.