Questions Regarding Retirement Visas

[texasguy]

My wife and I are non-Thai US citizens. We have lived in Thailand for several years prior to my retirement and will now be living in Asia (Vietnam and Thailand) for much of the year. I understand that the rules for the Tourist visa have changed and that the "Visa Run" is no longer a method to stay in Thailand. The retirement visa seems to be the best alternative even though we will only be spending part of our time in Thailand (a week every month).

I have read several of the posts on the forum that suggest that we enter Thailand on a Tourist Visa and then apply for a Retirement Visa there. Is this the best method?

We have significant investment income to meet the 65K baht requirement. Is that all we would need as a couple to qualify for the Retirement Visa? Should we still have some money in a Thai Bank account for 3 months before we apply in Thailand?

Since we are married do we both have to apply for a Retirement Visa and each meet the 65K baht requirement?

Does the Stateside Account need to be in both of our names to qualify or can we use just one to satisfy the 65K per month requirement?

Where is the best place to apply for the Retirement Visa? It seems from the posts here that the rules differ from office to office. Any recommendations?

Is there another type of Visa that would allow us to come to Thailand once every month or so? I'm concerned that while in Vietnam we may need medical attention and would not like to find out that we can't enter because of a visa problem.

Any feedback on these questions would be greatly appreciated.

TexasGuy

[lopburi3]

You can continue to use visa exempt entry with the schedule you have. The limit using that method is 90 days in a six month period - you should never reach that. In any event all you would need is a normal tourist visa if you ever did.