mja1906

Hi for 1 yr extension of non-O Retirement visa (Chiang Mai) does anybody know if a copy of the signed lease agreement is accepted, or must it be the original? Because I do not have the original, and the rental company does not have the original, they put it on their system (all digitised). Thanks

Hi, my dad arrived in Thailand on 26th March (30days visa exempt, UK passport) and changed his visa to non-imm 'O' Retirement (UK). He was under consideration and reported to immigration on the 23rd April where they stamped his passport with permission to stay until 8th July. I'm a little confused as I thought they would grant 90days from the 23rd April. Anyhows, what is the earliest he can apply for a 1 yr extension? The immigration staff mentioned something about having to wait 45days first before applying. The money has been in the bank for more than a year, so already seasoned. Thanks !

Hi, if I have just changed from a 30day exempt to non-O for retirement and they gave me an appointment date in around 30days time, where hopefully they will stamp another 90days (in which time I will apply for the 1 year extension), am I correct in thinking I can still withdraw money from my bank account (for everyday use), as long as it does not fall below 800k? How about after I apply for the 1 year extension? What are rules then regarding transactions from the account, and not falling below 800k? Thanks

Interesting. Thai banks insuring up to 1mil only is not that much which is why they prefer to hold outside. What's the difference between HSBC UK and HSBC SIngapore? This elderly couple don't plan to return to the UK for anything, so having UK savings, unless they can be transferred online, doesn't seem wise. They need to be able to access/transfer their funds.

For an older couple planning to permanently move from UK to Thailand, what is the best way to manage money between UK and Thailand? I don't think holding large sums in a Thai bank account is a good idea. I think holding just enough for living here (and a bit extra maybe), then holding the rest in a UK or other bank account is a safer idea. Any suggestions of where to hold remaining funds? They plan to use an HSBC online account, but prefer to diversify and have another account they can access money from. Also, they might buy a condo so would need to transfer a lump sum for that. Thanks !

I know Thailand is not a great place to hold savings due to the poor interest rates, so are there any other investment options/accounts available as a foreigner here? That would yield better returns? Would a financial advisor (knowledgeable about investment options here) be a good idea or waste of time/money? The funds need to be accessible here. Thanks

If one is not certain to move to Thailand permanently, but will trial it out, say staying for a few months at a time on a non-Imm 'O' for retirement, could they still utilise travel insurance from their home country (UK), even though they are not on tourist visas but on 'non-imm O' visas. I don't see how the insurance companies would know what type of visa the person is on, but would only look at length of stay away from home. ? Is my thinking correct? Thanks

@Elizabeth RThank you. Do you know if, instead of having the document legalised by the Thai Embassy in London, if it could just be done by the MFA in Chiang Mai or Bangkok ? This would be much more convenient than submitting documents to London. Their UK marriage certificate has already been legalised by the FCO UK. Thanks

I'm looking for health insurance for my parents 70+ and 80+yrs who plan to retire here long term. Any recommendations/suggestions for companies? The pros/cons of any? I know its a wide-casting question, but just starting to research our options. Thanks

Thanks Elizabeth R ! That's so useful to know. Gosh certified by MFA in Bangkok? May I ask if you applied for the extension in Bangkok or which office? And then to have the marriage recognised (again) in Pai ? Sounds like a lot... how did they recognise it in Pai?

Thanks - DrJack54 do you know, if she were to piggy back on my dad's visa, does this mean she doens't need to show the 800k at yearly extensions? Are there any caveats/disadvantages to doing that?

Hi, my parents plan to stay here long term on Non-Imm 'O' retirement visas. Father has UK passport, mother has Malaysian passport. They plan to come from UK without visas but on 30 day (permit to stay stamps), and change these to non-Imm 'O'. My Dad has over 800k sitting in a Thai bank account for over a year now. So I think he can convert and then extend for 1 year. What are the options for my mum though? Could she apply as a dependent of him? She doesn't have a bank account here, therefore no seasoned funds. Could she arrive, open an account here, and then my Dad transfer from this Thai account to hers? It would be Chiang Mai Immigration. Thanks in advance,

Any suggestions for where to get my eyes tested? I think I need glasses for driving, so wanted to have my sight checked out. There's heaps of those 'Top Charoen' shops, would it be wise to go to one of those? I once went to an eye-glass shop in BKK, and I think she tested me wrong, and I ended up buying glasses that were too strong for me and too tight!