Hi Guys.
I have the money for a retirment visa. I am over 50 and living here and would like to stay on a more permanent basis.  

I hear of a lot of alternative routes to a visa. Anyone have good advise

Ps

I had a bit of trouble with the old bill for a few minor things, decades ago. Do i need to keep this in mind when choosing a route.

You could apply for a one year extension of stay based upon retirement at immigration.

You will need 800k baht in a Thai bank for 60 days on the date you apply or proof of 65k baht income by way of a income letter from your embassy or a combination of the 2 totaling 800k baht.

To apply for the extension you will need a non-o visa entry. You can do a conversion at a immigration office to get a 90 day non immigrant visa (category O) entry from a tourist visa or visa exempt entry. You will need at least 15 days remaining on your current entry to apply for the visa. If using the money in the bank option the 800k baht only needs to be in the bank on the date you apply for the visa.

No criminal background check or a medical certificate is need to apply for an extension of stay. Those are only needed to apply for a OA long stay visa at an embassy or consulate in your home country.