I am a UK national I want to stay in Thailand for about 4months and whilst there,apply for a ‘Retirement “ visa. I believe this is an O visa with extension of stay for 12 months?

I am 71 years old . And already have the 800K baht in a bank in Thailand.

I thought I could enter ‘Visa exempt” and then convert to an O visa,but reading the thai gov website it states that visa exempt entry cannot be extended except in exceptional circumstances,like illness, also the UK citizens do not appear to be eligible?.

I am aware that I could apply for a tourist visa but really wanted to avoid the insurance aspect.

I would be grateful for advice.  My thanks in advance.

i think it is a mistake or maybe you read wrong. the only visa that compells you to get out of the country to change to another visa at the moment is special tourist visa.

Enter  Visa Exempt and you can apply for a Non Imm O Visa and then a 12 month extension for retirement.

When you open this file that has the requirements for the non-o visa. https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/8-1.pdf 

You will see this on the top right corner of it. 

My grateful thanks for the reply’s. I did indeed make a mistake….I read the “advice” from TVS global, not the thai embassy itself. 
One further question if I may….. if I come in “visa exempt” for less than 30 days….do I need to buy insurance for this period? 
my thanks for your advice and assistance.   

5 minutes ago, Flyfish said:

One further question if I may….. if I come in “visa exempt” for less than 30 days….do I need to buy insurance for this period?

Yes

The airline can ask to see ticket out of the country with 30 days. It can be a one way ticket to anywhere.

Grateful thanks to all who replied. Special thanks to Ubon Joe, who must have assisted thousands of people by now!!