Health insurance is very important and if you wish to get a retirement visa in Thailand you need to have a valid health insurance as starting October 31, 2019, foreigners who are applying and entering Thailand with a non-immigrant O-A visa must show that they have valid health insurance covering their period of stay.

The requirement for a retirement visa is a security deposit of THB 800,000 in a Thai bank account for 2 months prior to the visa application

It depends on the case you are convicted. If you have a criminal background and you still want to come to Thailand to retire, it may be possible, it may be a good idea to contact a legal professional and gain some insight and guidance into how best to proceed.

As we all know Thailand is one of the best countries to retire. An estimated 70,000 retirees call Thailand their home for good, they love Thailand because they can enjoy an easy-going lifestyle and lower cost of living. Thailand is one such country ticking many of those boxes. And the best part of it is any foreigners can buy a condo under their name!

No matter what type of visa you have, even on a tourist visa you can rent a home or condo in Thailand as a holiday property or, on a longer-term, with a suitable visa, a nice house or attractive condo for a year or longer.

Thailand is known for its affordable travel destination and retirement place for most retirees. Bangkok is the most famous among expats but is it the cheapest place to retire? , the answer is simply NO.

These are the cheapest places to retire in Thailand ;

Chiang Mai – $870 to $1,100 a month

Hua Hin – $1,050 to $1,400 a month

Ko Chang – $1,000 a month

Kanchanaburi – $800 to $1,000 a month

Chiang Rai – $700 to  $1,000 a month

Generally, foreigners are not allowed to directly purchase land in Thailand. It is a commonly unknown fact that although a foreigner cannot own land in Thailand, he can own the house or structure built thereon. One only has to apply for a construction permit to build the house in his own name.

With retirement visa you can stay in the Kingdom of uninterrupted 1 year period and the visa is renewable every year and the renewal process can be done inside Thailand.

Thailand is the best place to retired but if you thinking to buy a piece of land in Thailand then its sad to say that any foreigners are not allowed to directly purchase land in Thailand. Thai laws prohibit foreigners from owning land in their own name. But if you want to stay in your own home you can always buy a condo under your name.

In Thailand, the average cost for expat health insurance in Thailand is roughly $1,500 per year, while the average private insurance premium for families is $10,000. This figure is the average for a wide variety of plans, coverage requirements, and ages.

Yes, your family members can accompany you to Thailand. However, if they do not qualify for the Thai Retirement Visa (O-A or O-X), they can apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa O or ED (for the dependent child)

You can only bring your spouse or dependent child under the age of 20 with you.

If you holding a retirement visa it can be valid either for a single entry or multiple entries. This is a long term Thai visa that entitles the holder a stay of uninterrupted 1 year period in Thailand.

Non-Immigrant O Visa or as most retirees called "Retirement Visa'"

Thailand retirement visa is the popular term for "Extension of Stay Based on Retirement”. It is an extension of a Non-Immigrant O Visa or Non-Immigrant OA Visa.

The best places to retire in Thailand are Koh Samui, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Hua Hin. Each of these places offers up a unique lifestyle destination and a nice environment. 

Let's talk about each place that we mentioned above and what you can do!

• Koh Samui - Koh Samui is the second largest island in Thailand so this mean that there are so many beaches for retirees to enjoy such as Silver Beach, Thongson Bay, Chaweng Beach etc. Koh Samui not only famous about beacher but they also have beatiful temples around like Big Buddha and Wat Ratchathammaram.
• Pattaya - Pattaya is a well known place not only for retirees but with every tourist. Pattaya also have a lot of nice beaches like Jomtien Beach. The most thing that the tourist know this place is because the nightlife in Pattaya is crazy they do have cabaret bars and 24-hour clubs. Pattaya is famous for the Walking Street, Floating Market and the temple that they called Sanctuary of truth.
• Ching Mai - Chiang Mai  is the largest city in Northern Thailand. Chiang Mai is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand. If you enjoy going to Buddhist temples, then there are over 300 for you to visit in Chiang Mai. Night markets are plenty too.
• Phuket - Phuket is famous for a number of things like exotic beaches, vibrant nightlife, colorful night markets, delicious seafood, white marble Big Buddha and if you are an active retirees then you will definitely enjoy scuba diving.
• Hua Hin - Hua Hin have a lot of beautiful, powdery sand beach, numerous seaside seafood restaurants, a lively night market, numerous beach activities, and some great inland activities, not least of which is golfing at some of Thailand's most renowned courses.

So its really depends on retirees which place they prefer the most. 

Wherever you are in the world there is always things that you can and can't do this goes same in Thailand. Following a few simple rules of Thailand etiquette will not only prevent you from accidentally offending someone. Thailand is known as the “Land of Smiles” but the famous Thai smile has many meanings. Although Thai people are very forgiving of infractions, particularly when committed by farang (foreigners), observing these basic dos and don'ts will keep them smiling.

These are the things you should'nt do in Thailand ;

Don't point your feet: Pointing your feet at someone, raising your feet higher than someone's head, or simply putting your feet on a desk or chair are considered extremely rude in Thailand. 

Don't touch someone's head: While the feet are considered the lowest and dirtiest parts of the body, the head is revered as the most sacred. Never touch someone's head or hair - this includes playfully ruffling a child's hair.

Don't point: Pointing at someone is considered rude in many cultures but particularly so in Thailand. If you must indicate a person, do so by lifting your chin in their direction. When motioning for someone to come over, don't use fingers pointed upward; make a patting motion with your fingers straight and palm toward the ground.

Don't lose your cool: Shouting, blowing your top, or displaying strong emotions is generally frowned upon in Thailand. 

Don't disrespect the king: Never disrespect the king or images of the king, this includes currency.

Don't throw things: Tossing an object or money in someone's direction is rude. Take time to hand things to people properly, face-up, preferably with your right hand. Unfold money when paying someone.

A retirement visa is a yearly extension and is renewed every year without you having to return to your home country. Most immigration offices will allow you to renew your visa up to two months before it expires and it is advisable to not leave it to the last minute in case there are any problems

It is easy to get a retirement visa in Thailand as long as you have all the requirements.

This is the requirements that you need to apply for retirement visa;

- Must be 50 years old and above
- Passport (signed copies of each page)
- Non-Immigrant O  Visa
- Departure Card TM.6
- Proof of meeting Financial Requirements
- Thai Bank Book (original)
- Letter from your Thai Bank
- Three(3) 4×5 cm photos, with full face taken

In order to apply to become a Thai Permanent Resident, you must meet the following criteria:

1. You must have had a Thai non-immigrant visa for at least three years prior to the submission of your application.
2. You must be a holder of a non-immigrant visa at the time of submitting your application. 

I would say it's not impossible.

But English teaching is usually a young person's game.

However, because of your experience, you should look and see what kind of jobs are out there. Then when you prepare your resume, focus on the experience that would make you great for that position.

Wish you the best of luck!

Yes we can help for sure and it can be done even though we are in Bangkok. We have a team member in Phuket that can help you also.

Please contact us on LINE  so we can give you more information and get started!

As of 2022, Thailand does not currently have a digital nomad visa. Any type of work that is being performed in Thai territory must be done through a work permit. Remote work is currently not available in Thailand and therefore foreign freelancers and self-employed workers are NOT allowed to work in Thailand.

Yes you absolutely can ! Most expats on retirement visas in Thailand are quite open to the idea of buying a car mainly because the prices of vehicles in Thailand are affordable and it will help you to travel to the places you wanted to go.  You only need a copy of you passport, visa and entry stamp, and a certified copy of your address from your nearest immigration office. Maybe you already know, but be very careful when choosing a second-hand car, many have been to the moon and back and have been 'clocked' and revamped to look like new!

There is a lot of retirees come to Thailand meet the love of their life and before they meet them they holding a retirement visa. So if you are one of those retirees that want to get married with your Thai girlfriend you can change your retirement visa to marriage visa once your retirement visa need a renewal.

This is the requirements to apply for a marriage visa

• Passport (must be valid for at least 6 months and must have 2 blank pages)
• Copy of your Thai marriage certificate (both versions);
• Copy of your Thai wife's ID card.
• Copy of your Thai wife's Tabian Baan (House Registration Papers)
• Copy of a map to your residence in Thailand

Note : This option may not be applicable to all Immigration offices in Thailand. Requirements may then vary and list of documents needed may differ from every location.

Following the cultutal in etiquette will help you have a peaceful and happy life in Thailad.

These ate the things you need to follow in Thailand ;

Remove your shoes: As in many Asian cultures, removing your shoes before entering a temple or visiting someone's home is essential. Some businesses, restaurants, and shops also ask that you remove your shoes. If unsure, just look to see if there is a pile of shoes at the entrance, or check to see if the staff are wearing shoes.

Use your right hand: The left hand is considered dirty, as it is sometimes used for "toilet functions." Always use your right hand to pass objects to someone and when paying. Touch your left hand to your right forearm (showing that it is safely out of reach) if you wish to show extra respect.

Eat with a spoon: The proper way to enjoy delicious Thai food is with the spoon in your right hand and fork in your left. Use the fork to rake food onto your spoon; the fork never goes into the mouth. Chopsticks are usually only used for noodle dishes and treats such as spring rolls.

Show respect to monks: You will encounter many monks in places such as Chiang Mai; treat them with respect. When greeting a monk, be sure to show respect, and monks receive a higher wai than ordinary people; monks do not have to return your gesture. Women should never touch a monk, brush a monk's robes, or hand something to a monk. Monks should be allowed to eat first at ceremonies and gatherings.

Smile: The "Thai smile" is famous, essential to Thailand etiquette, and Thais show it whenever they can. Always return someone's smile. Smiles are used during negotiation, ​in an apology, to relax whenever something goes not as planned, and just in everyday life.

For Thai retirement visa extension you should file for an extension one month before your visa expires. You must always check with your local  immigration office for further information on when you may request for an extension. As long as you've been granted permission to remain, you may seek for an extension. Even if your application is complete, you should submit it a few days before the expiration date in case you need to supply extra documentation.

As with the Non-Immigrant O visa, you must complete a TM7 Extension of Stay form to achieve this. This time, you must establish that you have at least 800,000 Thai Baht in your Thai bank account (or in your country of residency if you apply in that country), 65,000 Thai Baht each month in your bank account, or a combination of the two that totals at least 800,000 Thai Baht.

Retirement Visa Extension Document Requirements

1. TM7 application form.
2. Application fee of 1,900 THB.
3. Original passport with signed photocopies of each page (2 copies outside of Bangkok)
4. 2 Passport-sized Photos.
5. Map to your residence (must be hand-drawn)
6. Financial proof. Money-in-bank method (800,000 THB)

Overstaying in Thailand is illegal so if you know that you are overstayed you better fix it as soon as possible because you will fine 500 baht per day or if you overstay more than 40 days you need to pay the fine the maximum which is 20,000 baht. If you get caught being overstay in Thailand you are in risk of being arrested, imprisoned and you may also be banned from returning to Thailand depending on how long you have overstayed your visa.

Thailand is quite a safe country to visit because Thai people are friendly and warm but it’s good to exercise precaution when in a foreign land especially when it comes to dealing with strangers.

If you want to retire in Thailand you need to have 800,000 baht to show in your Thai bank account and you must have at least monthly income of 65,000 baht , you need to get an income affidavit from your embassy in Bangkok to show the proof when you apply for the visa.

The financial requirement will stay as it is for individual applications. Please take note, that if you and your wife are both aged 50 and above, each should meet the requirement, this requirement will not be presented as couples. Yet, if your wife has not reached the age of 50, she can act as your dependent. Note that if you have a Thai wife you can apply for a marriage visa which has lower requirements.

Yes ! Medical insurance is one of the requirements that you need to sumbit at the immigratin when you apply for your retirement visa

Thailand 5-year retirement visa is the popular term for "Non-Immigrant O-X Long Stay Visa. Having a 5 year retirement visa can be valid single entry or multiple entries. This visa is renewable every 5 years and the renewal process can be done inside Thailand.

Not every nationalities can apply for 5 year retirement visa. Application only open to these nationalities.

• Japan
•  Australia
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Netherland
• Norway
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• United States

Applicant who want to apply for 5 year retirement visa must be 50 years of age or over. Must meet the financial requirement: security deposit of 3 million baht in a Thai Bank Account for 12 months prior to the visa application. There are other documents that you need to present too such as Health insurance, Police Clearance and Medical Certificate.

If you wish to renew you Thai retirement visa you don't have to wait until your visa expires. A retirement visa is a yearly extension and is renewed every year without you having to return to your home country. Most immigration offices will allow you to renew your visa up to two months before it expires and it is advisable to not leave it to the last minute in case there are any problems.

There are 2 steps to obtain a retirement visa ;
STEP 1: OBTAIN A NON-IMMIGRANT “O” VISA
Requirements:
- Passport (at least one year remaining before expiration)
- You must be holding nationality or permanent residence of the country of application
- Proof of Funds

STEP 2: OBTAIN A ONE-YEAR RETIREMENT VISA EXTENSION
Requirements:
- Must be 50 years old and above
- Passport (signed copies of each page)
- Non-Immigrant O  Visa
- Departure Card TM.6
- Proof of meeting Financial Requirements
- Thai Bank Book (original)
- Letter from your Thai Bank
- Three(3) 4×5 cm photos, with full face taken

One of the reason that foreigners come to Thailand is to meet the love of their life. A lot of retirees come to Thailand to get settle and get married with the one. So if you ask if you can get married when you are on retirement visa the simple answer is " YES " . Actuallly you can get married in Thailand even you are on tourist visa!

If you want to apply for a retirement visa employment of any kind is strictly prohibited but if you wish to run a business in Thailand you can always go out from retirement visa and go into a business visa.

There are a lot of banks in Thailand, if you are a retiree in Thailand it is important to have a bank account. 

A lot of expats and retirees prefer to open Bangkok Bank as their Thai bank account.

Bangkok bank is Thailand’s largest bank and is popular for being the most welcoming to foreigners and non-residents. It has many branches in the country as well as in London and New York. Of all local Thai banks, it has the largest international presence. Its Foreign Currency Deposit Account is specifically designed for ex-pats.

The bank offers good exchange rates for international wire transfers. It also allows account holders to connect a western branch to their PayPal account for quick money transfers. The bank’s online banking facilities are better than most local banks. Its main branch, on Si Lom road, is the most friendly one to foreigners.

Converting a Tourist visa to Retirement visa is done in Thailand. If you have a 2 months Thai tourist visa then you can convert the visa to a retirement visa in Thailand by having the visa converted. Note that you need to have at least 15 days left on your tourist visa before this can be converted to another visa.

It depends on what you will do and what are you gonna eat that day. If you go out and eat at the mall then you will need 1000 baht per day, if you just want to stay at home and order food then it is the kinda same cost. But if you want to buy groceries and cook your food then you can save a lot.

As we all know Thailand is the number one best place to reitre in Asia. There are so many plenty reasons why. Thailand has a nice weather, low cost of living, inexpensive, high-quality medical care, and world-class beaches. Thailand also known for a land of smile so that being said people in Thailand are friendly. There also a lot of food that you can try and enjoy . Thailand have a lots of night markets that you can go and chill at night too.

If you are retiree and you wish to retired in Thailand you need to rent a condo to stay but sometimes you get tired of paying monthly then there is always a choice that you can buy a condo under your name in Thailand because  there are no restrictions on nationality and every foreigner who can enter Thailand legally (there are no visa-class requirements) can buy and own a condo unit within the foreign ownership quota of the condominium, but every foreigner must personally qualify for ownership under section 19 of the Condominium Act.

I know that paying taxes is a lot to take in. If you want to eat out, go shopping and buy groceries then there is a tax included in that receipt but other than that you don't have anything to worry about. Only income earned inside Thailand shall be subjected to tax during retirement.