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Of course you do not need a O-A to retire in Thailand, you can come on a O visa or even a 30 day exemption and then complete the retirement process in Thailand. No questions are ever asked regarding criminal history and no checks are involved.

The only minor disadvantage is that you have to deal with Thai immigration soon after arrival, if you have a O-A you can wait up to 2 years before you have to get a retirement extension in Thailand.

If you have a income then there is never any need to tie up any money for immigration purposes.

Don't be too hard on the OP, I hear a very high percentage of expats get confused and do not know the difference between a visa and an extension. Or a visa and an entry stamp. Or a extension and a 90 day report, or entry stamp and a 90 day report. It goes on and on.

I would like to think that someone in the illustrious government is actually looking at how some of those darn farangs actually deal with real crisis.

I see by this statement that you have only just arrived in Thailand and have yet learn anything about Thai's ;-)

The suggestion that anyone would have to show platinum credit cards and business class tickets is frankly absurd and unbelievable.

Also, If you don't know what a proof of purchase is then I feel sorry for you.

At the very least you could tell us your visa dates and current entry/extension dates.

For some people the O-A Visa is worth the hassle, but you don't actually need it at all.

You could arrive on a normal single entry O visa (much easier to obtain, no police clearance required) and then extend your stay for the purpose of retirement every year starting 2 months after you arrive.

You could even arrive with a tourist visa and effectively do the same thing, it costs about 5000 more though as you need a change of Visa class for the first retirement extension.

Also, you don't need any money in a Thai bank at all if you have sufficient income.

I'd say that if the police want anything from you they will let you know. You are right to not approach them, it may go in the wrong direction. Unlike, but possible.

First rule of visa runs: Use Thai Consulates not Thai Embassies.

Second rule of visa runs: Refer to rule one.

KL is an Embassy.

Notification of residence of foreigners for businesses According to section 38 of the 1979

That word "businesses" surely does not apply to family and friends... common sense must prevail.

You sure can get the visa, but the real question is; Can you use it?

It's been reported that immigration computer system gives an alert after the 4th extension on tourist visa then you get Spanish inquisition

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/892601-problem-at-bkk-airport-multiple-entry-tourist-visa/

That is the one and only report of that and appears to be an immigration offices giving false info.

I think there is always a risk of being questioned by immigration if you are using a lot of tourist visas back to back. However, If you can explain that you are a genuine tourist who is just staying a long time then I do not think there will be a problem.

Really most immigration officers are helpful and do not want to cause you any problems, unless they have reason to suspect that you are here to work.

Perhaps this would be a case where paying an immigration "fixer" a processing fee to get this application through. I don't mean a bribe, I mean one of the visa services that have ways of doing things that mere mortals can't.

Do you seriously believe that using any of these "fixer" services does not involve a bribe being paid to obtain the desired result?

The whole point of these services is that they pay the bribe for you.

I considered the Visa services but thought the 25,000 baht fee was rather rich.

I could rent out another place to stay for that amount easily.

I used Assist Thai Visa service in Chiang Mai for my visa change and it was more like 5k all in.

Of course, its impossible for the landlord to get a work permit.

Never ask about work permits at immigration, its not their department.

The question is largely academic. You cannot get a work permit for an online shop.

As you can see form reading the posts here, the basic idea of coming to Thailand and working from a beach is not a new idea.

My advice, as someone who had exactly the same idea 14 years ago, is to just go for it and get a multi-entry tourist visa before you come. If you get a double entry visa that will effectively give you 6 months with a couple of extensions. That should be enough to decide if Thailand is right for you.

If you like Thailand and you decide you want to stay then various options are available.

I know you did not specifically ask about the legitimacy of working from a Thailand beach, but I would not worry about that too much for your initial stay in Thailand. You may like to use Thailand as a base to explore countries like Laos and Cambodia (though I appreciate Laos has no beaches), people also live and work in those countries without any problems.

Just get a Multi Entry Tourist visa and come here, if you like it and you want to stay then I am sure there are plenty of options if you have some income.

I did the same thing almost 14 years ago and I am still here.

We have been living in the kitchen with the gas burner on a low flame and the doors closed, of course for safety sake we still have some ventelation.

In fact, its so bloody cold in the rest of the house that we slept in the kitchen last night!

Plenty of Foreigners working in BKK, Pattaya and Chiang Mai in online marketing and SEO, all with work permits. As for doing business with a Thai, get ready for a roller coaster ride.

ALL with work permits ? What planet are you on ?

I totally agree with JackThompson and Ubonjoe, it would have been much more likely that you could have exited with no fuss at all if you left before the 23rd, leave asap and if you go via the airport that stamped you in then you may have a better chance of paying less.. but make sure you have the 20k and of course don't get angry and argue with an immigration officer. Best results are obtained when you keep smiling and act confused, do not let on that you already know there is a bigger problem than a couple of days overstay.

There is nothing an agent can do that you can not do yourself.

Unless you have money to burn and can't be bothered...

forget the agents and do it yourself.

I agree with other posters..

A doccumentry on what foreigners go through to stay here would be a much more interesting program.....

Examples of how different immigration officers in different offices all interpet the regulations in their own different ways would be a very good segment onit's own!

Good luck.

and keep us posted.

I am sure a lot of us would be interested in seeing what you come up with.

I totally disagree, a good agent knows the ropes and can make the difference between success and failure.

The problem as you mention is at check-in for the flight.

I have on occasion been asked for a return or on-going ticket and then I have to explain that I live in Thailand and that I have the correct visa.

I have seen people refused boarding.

They only need to see an itinerary.. if you don't want to buy a ticket then get creative.

Honestly, forget what the written rules say. Its what the immigration officer says on the day that matters and you cannot change that so its better to just accept it.

As others have said its not a big drama, go get a singe entry O visa and apply in 60 days.

What an absurd thread. The headline is immigration demanding a work permit and when people offer sensible advice you accuse them of being blind and point out that you have a work permit.

A cancelled work permit is not valid, no valid work permit = questions from immigration officer. Stop complaining, they let you in didn't they !

The heart of the matter is that you are not earning, and you need an income.

You mentioned a writing job.

What sort of experience do you have in writing ? It can be easy to find immediate work if you are a good writer, especially if you can write good articles for blogs and websites.

I have seen many who claim to be able to write and when it comes down to it can never complete a project to a deadline or just can't write at all. Are you in that category, or are you genuinely able to write good content ???

Also, where in Thailand are you ?