17 hours ago, Peter Crow said:

800K ? that's a bargain IMO.

For some people, yes. However, not every expat can afford to effectively lose that sum until death, if this is their chosen permanent country of residence. It's a significant sum to have unobtainable for the length of their retirement stay when that retirement could be cut short at any 12 month extension. Continued deposit of that amount should guarantee a much longer stay period between inquisitions.

I still fall under the criteria of an O-A but switched to marriage rather than retirement because I refused (and was probably ineligible) to buy the corrupt health insurance they introduced without grandfathering.

Personally, I also have no real concerns with that money lying fallow as I keep significantly more here for self-insurance. On a side note, due to currency fluctuations over my stay here, that 800k, if repatriated would be worth about 9k more AUDs than it cost.

18 hours ago, oldcpu said:

If one's wife should sadly unexpectedly pass away, then in addition to the stress of such a sad occurrence, one is then faced with an immigration issue needing to be solved. This is worse if one needs then to find health insurance if one is in their late 70s or 80s. There are not a lot of choices.

My Thai wife and I have talked about this a little. One thing she mentioned was, if she died, that I marry someone in her family and continue on like that. Does that option actually work?

1 hour ago, davb said:

My Thai wife and I have talked about this a little. One thing she mentioned was, if she died, that I marry someone in her family and continue on like that. Does that option actually work?

For a start if your Thai wife passes then that current permission of stay stamp would remain valid unlike for divorce.

The notion of marrying a family member to obtain a new extension based on marriage is nonsensical.

You would obtain extension based on retirement.

On 5/7/2026 at 9:50 AM, rwill said:

My Care Easy Health https://www.tiscoinsure.com/health-insurance/sum-expense-health/my-care-easy-health/

• Insured age : 11 – 80 years old Policy can be renewed continuously until the age of 99

I was talking about Persdonal Accident Insurance, not Medical/Health Insurance

On 5/5/2026 at 1:40 PM, OJAS said:

Might you have had in mind (6.3) of Police Order 654/2564 (see below)?

Yes, but how many have that 3M in the bank ?????

On 5/7/2026 at 11:28 AM, 10000Baht said:

First, we have to wait and see if this regulation actually comes into effect.

Second, if it does, who will be affected? How do they define tourists? Does it also apply to expats with long-term residency status?

Assuming I re-enter the country with a 1-year extension on a Non-Immigrant O visa and a re-entry permit, how long would this insurance need to be valid? So many questions.

My post was really to recomend anyone under the age of 75 to pre-empt what is effectively a long overdue initiative by the government to force foreigners whether long term or tourists , to have medical insurance . After 75 your options are limited.

38 minutes ago, GmailJen said:

After 75 your options are limited.

Many under 75 with pre existing conditions already have limited options.

I held an O-A retirement visa issued in 2010, which was easily extended multiple times until the addition of the Health Insurance criteria. The then Health minister, now PM, introduced this clause following complaints from the Phuket Vachira Hospital about unpaid bills.

I could never understand why the insurance was targeted towards the only visa holders who were most likely to stay long term, were required to pass a medical check, produce a clear Police record, and proof of funds, before visa issue. Nor why all who simply fronted up at the border could get the same benefits but were exempt from the checks and the health criteria!

Anyone who spent a morning in a Phuket hospital could understand where lay the source of unpaid bills. (I had regular appointments at BHP) Tourists, limping around swathed in bandages from elbow to ankle, were everywhere. Road rash city! Clearly, short stay people were the most likely to default on bills. Cabinet didn't see it that way. (Didn't fit the plan?)

Best solution cross a border, change to an "O". Covid closed borders around that time. I had medical issues which made travel almost impossible anyway. I married my long-term lady and changed to the marriage category. I now have difficulties every year meeting the ever-changing whims of Immigration processing officers. The Police Order, posted above, stating 3m in the bank in lieu of insurance came too late for me to consider that option. It's still a possibility I may change back.

With the new PM in charge, I wouldn't be feeling that comfortable if holding an "O"

Edited May 10May 10 by Old Croc

4 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

I wouldn't be feeling that comfortable if holding an "O"

It's relatively simple. If you're required to provide proof of health insurance with a Non-Immigrant O visa and its extension, you have a choice. You can either provide it, look for other alternatives, or leave the country.

Edited May 10May 10 by 10000Baht

3 hours ago, Old Croc said:

I held an O-A retirement visa issued in 2010, which was easily extended multiple times until the addition of the Health Insurance criteria. The then Health minister, now PM, introduced this clause following complaints from the Phuket Vachira Hospital about unpaid bills.

I could never understand why the insurance was targeted towards the only visa holders who were most likely to stay long term, were required to pass a medical check, produce a clear Police record, and proof of funds, before visa issue. Nor why all who simply fronted up at the border could get the same benefits but were exempt from the checks and the health criteria!

Anyone who spent a morning in a Phuket hospital could understand where lay the source of unpaid bills. (I had regular appointments at BHP) Tourists, limping around swathed in bandages from elbow to ankle, were everywhere. Road rash city! Clearly, short stay people were the most likely to default on bills. Cabinet didn't see it that way. (Didn't fit the plan?)

Best solution cross a border, change to an "O". Covid closed borders around that time. I had medical issues which made travel almost impossible anyway. I married my long-term lady and changed to the marriage category. I now have difficulties every year meeting the ever-changing whims of Immigration processing officers. The Police Order, posted above, stating 3m in the bank in lieu of insurance came too late for me to consider that option. It's still a possibility I may change back.

With the new PM in charge, I wouldn't be feeling that comfortable if holding an "O"

That was exactly what I was referring to in my post and I'm just glad , after ditching the OA for the O , that I took out a local health/medical insurance policy for Thailand only at a more reasonable premium and before I reached 75. I now feel much more relaxed knowing that at any changes requiring all foreigners to have medical insurance ( or 3M in the bank as of present requirements) will not affect my situation here.

45 minutes ago, GmailJen said:

I now feel much more relaxed knowing that at any changes requiring all foreigners to have medical insurance ( or 3M in the bank as of present requirements) will not affect my situation here.

Fact is currently Non O does not require insurance. What ifs are exactly that.

On 5/10/2026 at 9:09 AM, 10000Baht said:

It's relatively simple. If you're required to provide proof of health insurance with a Non-Immigrant O visa and its extension, you have a choice. You can either provide it, look for other alternatives, or leave the country.

Someone needed to state the obvious.

23 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Fact is currently Non O does not require insurance. What ifs are exactly that.

Hope springs eternal.

I look at past performance of a regime with a large majority and remain mindful of what ifs.

6 minutes ago, Old Croc said:

On 5/10/2026 at 9:09 AM, 10000Baht said:

It's relatively simple. If you're required to provide proof of health insurance with a Non-Immigrant O visa and its extension, you have a choice. You can either provide it, look for other alternatives, or leave the country.

Someone needed to state the obvious

I don't think much of the choices he listed.

Obtain insurance would/may be not possible for many with pre existing conditions.

Leave Thailand difficult for many esp if have l lived in Thailand many years and possible ownership of assets in Thailand.

"Look for other alternatives"? Not sure if alluding to use agent. Possible.

23 hours ago, GmailJen said:

That was exactly what I was referring to in my post and I'm just glad , after ditching the OA for the O , that I took out a local health/medical insurance policy for Thailand only at a more reasonable premium and before I reached 75. I now feel much more relaxed knowing that at any changes requiring all foreigners to have medical insurance ( or 3M in the bank as of present requirements) will not affect my situation here.

If a change comes you would have to hope your insurer is one of the chosen companies that must be used. I can meet the 3m in bank clause but am also aware this could change on the whim of some xenophobic politician.

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Obtain insurance would/may be not possible for many with pre existing conditions.

Apart from being older than they accept, the moment I mention my wheelchair the door slams shut.

One jokester company did offer to insure me at a yearly premium of 250k+.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

I don't think much of the choices he listed.

If it comes to that, I see no other option. Do you?

On 5/7/2026 at 10:05 AM, BusyB said:

There are indeed.

I just checked out the latest O-A requirements on the evisa platform and I'll probably go this route later this year instead of my usual Non-O.

My doctor'll give me the medical certificate.

I have a clean police record and can obtain a fresh certificate easily as I already have an account with the Ministry of Justice (for an earlier check).

I never travel without good medical insurance anyway. My regular company offers unlimited coverage, certifies Covid also, and has paid without issue in the past.

Pension requirements exactly the same.

It's a doddle for me. Enter and forget extensions and renewals, proof of residence, trips to immigration, MOFA etc.

Just stamp in then 90-day and TM30s.

Need a multi-reentry permit anyway.

Come and go up to two years hassle free.

Then either a new one or retire to my dotage back home, depending on how well I'm weathering the dying of the light.

Just wondered, with whom do you get your health insurance, as this is the only issue with the O-A? It seems expensive for a healthy 61 year old!

3 hours ago, Dazzler said:

Just wondered, with whom do you get your health insurance, as this is the only issue with the O-A? It seems expensive for a healthy 61 year old!

Not in Thailand.

I get respected, unlimited international travel health insurance (minus USA), which also explicitly states Covid, from a major German company that I've got another contract with. It covers motocys as long as I've got a helmet on and I'm not the one driving it.

It is expensive - a couple of hundred euros a month rising shortly to 300,- or so. Contract is for one year travel. For a 60 year old it would be about €150. I don't know if they do it for non-residents/citizens. It certainly has to be agreed while still in country - before travel. But remains valid even if I return for visits of up to 4 weeks.

Far better than those cheap travel packages which include baggage etc and normally only cover a few weeks at a time - AND as I've noticed recently won't even cover you traveling from one country to another whilst abroad. Wow! That would have even caught me out. (Maybe not - I do read everything through thoroughly and e-mail any questions if I've got any. They always answer so I've got it hard copy as well if need be.)

For trips under 90 days I use my credit card travel health cover - similar conditions.

Both have paid out without demur although I haven't had a major accident that required surgery and hozzy yet. But I'm certain they would. They're not interested in previous conditions, because they do it on a cohort basis: in this case age groups. And I'm healthy anyway.

40 minutes ago, BusyB said:

Not in Thailand.

I get respected, unlimited international travel health insurance (minus USA), which also explicitly states Covid, from a major German company that I've got another contract with. It covers motocys as long as I've got a helmet on and I'm not the one driving it.

It is expensive - a couple of hundred euros a month rising shortly to 300,- or so. Contract is for one year travel. For a 60 year old it would be about €150. I don't know if they do it for non-residents/citizens. It certainly has to be agreed while still in country - before travel. But remains valid even if I return for visits of up to 4 weeks.

Far better than those cheap travel packages which include baggage etc and normally only cover a few weeks at a time - AND as I've noticed recently won't even cover you traveling from one country to another whilst abroad. Wow! That would have even caught me out. (Maybe not - I do read everything through thoroughly and e-mail any questions if I've got any. They always answer so I've got it hard copy as well if need be.)

For trips under 90 days I use my credit card travel health cover - similar conditions.

Both have paid out without demur although I haven't had a major accident that required surgery and hozzy yet. But I'm certain they would. They're not interested in previous conditions, because they do it on a cohort basis: in this case age groups. And I'm healthy anyway.

Thanks, but I am only looking for cover in Thailand for the O-A visa.

14 hours ago, Dazzler said:

Thanks, but I am only looking for cover in Thailand for the O-A visa.

I'll be using my travel insurance for my O-A. However I think they insist on a Thai provider for the second year or so, in which case I'll get rock bottom minimal required cover with max copay.

If I get seriously ill or damaged anyway the travel insurance'll stabilize me and get me back home where I'll go onto public health. That's what I'd want anyway.

14 minutes ago, BusyB said:

I think they insist on a Thai provider for the second year or so,

You only need a Thai health insurance if you are applying for a one-year extension of stay based on your Non-Immigrant OA visa. As long as you leave and re-enter Thailand within the validity period of your Non-Immigrant OA, you can use your foreign insurance.

7 minutes ago, 10000Baht said:

You only need a Thai health insurance if you are applying for a one-year extension of stay based on your Non-Immigrant OA visa. As long as you leave and re-enter Thailand within the validity period of your Non-Immigrant OA, you can use your foreign insurance.

Ahaa ... thanks, saves me a deep dive on the subject ...

1 hour ago, BusyB said:

I'll be using my travel insurance for my O-A. However I think they insist on a Thai provider for the second year or so, in which case I'll get rock bottom minimal required cover with max copay.

If I get seriously ill or damaged anyway the travel insurance'll stabilize me and get me back home where I'll go onto public health. That's what I'd want anyway.

Hi BusyB, so normal foreign-purchased travel insurance is accepted by the embassies for the initial O-A visa application? I didn't know.

I too have short-term credit card travel insurance, but year long policies are expensive and not needed as I am in Thailand the majority of the year.

I am just looking for a basic O-A compliant cover under Bt15,000 and will get Personal Accident cover when in Thailand; otherwise I will just go for the O visa for retirement.

4 minutes ago, Dazzler said:

but year long policies are expensive and not needed as I am in Thailand the majority of the year.

Why would anyone living ongoing in Thailand opt for a Non O-A.

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Why would anyone living ongoing in Thailand opt for a Non O-A.

O-A can last nearly 2 years, and Bt800k is not deposited in Thailand with low interest rates.

17 minutes ago, Dazzler said:

O-A can last nearly 2 years, and Bt800k is not deposited in Thailand with low interest rates.

And then to avoid having to have funds in Thai Bank for extension you would need to obtain new Non O-A.

I did state "living ongoing" in Thailand.

I'm on extensions retirement using income method.

No substantial funds kept in Thai bank.

I do not have embassy income letter.