I know this is going to sound crazy, but maybe possibly consider applying for a visa directly to the nearest Thai Embassy

I got visas before doing just that from the Thai Embassy in Los Angeles, for example. Cheers.

5 minutes ago, CygnusX1 said:

Just a happy retiree of very modest means (by Australian standards). I’ve been in southern Italy where there was no heatwave, just ran into the tail end of it as I’ve journeyed north, but no problem for someone who spent a few days in Dubai 3 weeks ago and Thailand before then. OK, so according to you happy retirees can’t also be tourists?

Of course a happy retiree can be.

But you get the point I am sure. The visa free entry for tourists in Thailand was aimed at the segment of public that are active and going on holiday that is usually from 2 to 6 weeks annually depending on one's home nation. A retiree can be a tourist for sure and for long stay retirees there is the NON O visa in Thailand that is valid 3 months and that I suggested humbly to be available rather for 4 months as retirees have more time and which is why this specific Non O Visa was made. Thank you for sharing, Enjoy Italy or where ever you are and stay safe..as Europe is really not safe anymore. But I am sure you have been to worse places. Take care. 🙏

2 minutes ago, Sigmund said:

Of course a happy retiree can be.

But you get the point I am sure. The visa free entry for tourists in Thailand was aimed at the segment of public that are active and going on holiday that is usually from 2 to 6 weeks annually depending on one's home nation. A retiree can be a tourist for sure and for long stay retirees there is the NON O visa in Thailand that is valid 3 months and that I suggested humbly to be available rather for 4 months as retirees have more time and which is why this specific Non O Visa was made. Thank you for sharing, Enjoy Italy or where ever you are and stay safe..as Europe is really not safe anymore. But I am sure you have been to worse places. Take care. 🙏

The non-O is not a tourist visa. It's not meant for people that want to go to Thailand and have fun and leave. There's no need for it to be 4 months, because 3 months is enough time for what the intention of the visa is. That's to move to Thailand and set yourself up to begin applying for annual extensions.

37 minutes ago, Sigmund said:

Of course a happy retiree can be.

But you get the point I am sure. The visa free entry for tourists in Thailand was aimed at the segment of public that are active and going on holiday that is usually from 2 to 6 weeks annually depending on one's home nation. A retiree can be a tourist for sure and for long stay retirees there is the NON O visa in Thailand that is valid 3 months and that I suggested humbly to be available rather for 4 months as retirees have more time and which is why this specific Non O Visa was made. Thank you for sharing, Enjoy Italy or where ever you are and stay safe..as Europe is really not safe anymore. But I am sure you have been to worse places. Take care. 🙏

Thanks for your kind wishes, but I suppose my small point is that entering Europe 90 days visa free (option to stay in just one country if you wish) is a great deal easier than applying for a 3 month Non O visa (a retirement visa-that’s-not-really-a-visa), and only for those over 50.

Will there be any kind of 60 day visa? I usually spend 30-40 days in Thailand in Jan/Feb each year. Im hesitating in booking my flight now as Im not sure what the options will be if limited to 30 days and my flight out is over 30 days from entry.

3 minutes ago, Chris1950 said:

Will there be any kind of 60 day visa? I usually spend 30-40 days in Thailand in Jan/Feb each year. Im hesitating in booking my flight now as Im not sure what the options will be if limited to 30 days and my flight out is over 30 days from entry.

3 minutes ago, Chris1950 said:

Chill. When change back to 30 is implemented you have two easy options.

One: enter visa exempt and if 30 days you can obtain 30 day extension.

Two: obtain setv (e visa) that is quick process and stamps in for 60 + option of 30 day extension

Many thanks. happy to get 60day for peace of mind - if i can find it on the website :)

2 hours ago, Chris1950 said:

Many thanks. happy to get 60day for peace of mind - if i can find it on the website :)

You can find it here:

https://www.thaievisa.go.th/

On 7/1/2026 at 6:34 AM, DrJack54 said:

Chill. When change back to 30 is implemented you have two easy options.

One: enter visa exempt and if 30 days you can obtain 30 day extension.

Two: obtain setv (e visa) that is quick process and stamps in for 60 + option of 30 day extension

As I am in the same position as Chris 1950, I would just add that Option one might work in some countries some times but many airlines check your return date or want to see an onward ticket inside whatever the current number of allowed visa free days is before allowing you to board.

Option 2, as long as it is not changed, is really the only viable option without being in possession of an onward ticket. One caveat on the SETV though (please correct me if I am wrong) is that you can not apply for a SETV longer than 90 days out.

17 minutes ago, JDMCanuck said:

One caveat on the SETV though (please correct me if I am wrong) is that you can not apply for a SETV longer than 90 days out.

That is correct. SETV is valid for 3 months. Provided you enter while it's still valid you would be stamped in for 60 days. An extension of 30 days is available.

Re visa exempt: correct airlines often ask for onward flight.

https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/thailand-tourist-visa

On 5/19/2026 at 4:20 AM, CharlieH said:

60 DAY VISA-FREE IS NOW CUT TO 30 DAYS

On 7/1/2026 at 6:31 AM, BrandonJT said:

"The non-O is not a tourist visa. It's not meant for people that want to go to Thailand and have fun and leave."

Although it's not intended to be used as a tourist visa, it doesn't preclude one from using it as such? I would like to apply for a non-O visa to enter in late September and stay for nearly 90 days. But at this time I am not looking to do the 12 month extension.

34 minutes ago, hrb68 said:

Although it's not intended to be used as a tourist visa, it doesn't preclude one from using it as such? I would like to apply for a non-O visa to enter in late September and stay for nearly 90 days. But at this time I am not looking to do the 12 month extension.

You can use it for whatever you like. I was just stating that there's no need to change it to turn it into something that it is not intended to be.