Thaifly88

the lease requirement may be a stumbling block for me. My intention is to stay in cheapish hotels on monthly rates when I'm in Thailand. I doubt they will provide a lease that immigration may need.

good point - so, just staying in hotels won't cut it ?

Noted - thank you..

Once my non-O retirement visa and multiple entry permit is established, how many months a year can I spend outside Thailand and still maintain the visa or extension as the case may be ? The reason for the question is that I want to spend about half the year in Thailand, but the other half in neighbouring Asian countries travelling. The sIx months or so in Thailand would not necessarily be in one block. My thinking is that if I try to do this with tourist visas I have an annual time in country limit to adhere to. I am happy to comply with all aspects of the retirement visa including the 800k in a Thai bank.