How likely or otherwise would it be to get denied a METV after spending 6 months in Thailand? By then my history would be
90 days- 60 day exempt + 30;

17-20 outside Thailand (Laos)
90- days - 60 day SETV + 30;

returning to home country (Aust).
application would be probably no less than a month after departing Thai (depends on how long processing takes).

Would that pass muster, or too many red-flags?

Under 50 ? I presume

50 minutes ago, curlywombat said:

How likely or otherwise would it be to get denied a METV after spending 6 months in Thailand? By then my history would be
90 days- 60 day exempt + 30;

17-20 outside Thailand (Laos)
90- days - 60 day SETV + 30;

returning to home country (Aust).
application would be probably no less than a month after departing Thai (depends on how long processing takes).

Would that pass muster, or too many red-flags?

Does the e-Visa application form ask about the dates and duration of your previous stays in Thailand? You can go here to check.

2 minutes ago, Maestro said:

Does the eVisa application form ask about the dates and duration of your previous stays in Thailand?

Thinking he will be able to obtain metv eVisa.

At arrival in Thailand immigration will be aware of all history.

Having a visa does not guarantee entry to Thailand

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

Thinking he will be able to obtain metv eVisa.

At arrival in Thailand immigration will be aware of all history.

I see it the same way. Getting the METV should be no problem. Getting permission to stay from Thai immigration when applying for entry cannot be taken for granted.

7 minutes ago, Maestro said:

Getting permission to stay from Thai immigration when applying for entry cannot be taken for granted.

If he obtains the metv he could consider also "safe entry service"

Covered in few threads in Aseannow.

Over 50, but not going down the route, not for now anyway.
Thanks for the reminder about visa v Man In Uniform. Obviously none of you are inside the head of the IO, but would a month spend "at home" after that travel history generally be considered reasonable? Does the fact that I'd have gone through the process of visa approval make refusal less, or much less, likely?

10 minutes ago, curlywombat said:

Over 50, but not going down the route, not for now anyway.

In that case zero desire to advise.

Sorry, but the reason I dont plan to go down that route for now is that I dont envision staying beyond that term of the 6 month METV. And that in itself is just a possibility at this stage. If I was going to stay longer, I'd get the retirement visa. But, as there are two of us, that means twice to cost and twice the paperwork, so it's not something I'd want to do for a stay of less than six months.

4 hours ago, curlywombat said:

Over 50, but not going down the route, not for now anyway.
Thanks for the reminder about visa v Man In Uniform. Obviously none of you are inside the head of the IO, but would a month spend "at home" after that travel history generally be considered reasonable? Does the fact that I'd have gone through the process of visa approval make refusal less, or much less, likely?

They look at your past 12-18 months. The point at which people generally start to have issued is 180 days spent in Thailand as a tourist within that period of time. 30 days spent at home isn't going to fool anyone. It's clear to them that you are trying to live in Thailand without a long-term visa, and that's exactly what they've been trying to crack down on.

I was denied entry (a few years ago) holding a new METV and having spent a month in the UK. So denial of entry is certainly possible. Also, since you want to spend a further 6 months in Thailand you will need a minimum of two entries (with extensions, 60 + 30 x 2) or three entries (with no extensions, 60 x 3). Each subsequent entry has an increased chance of denial of entry.

So, get a Non-O or apply for safe entry.

Agree with those who advise getting Safe Entry if you do receive the METV.

Well worth the added cost in a case like this.

No one can predict what IO at airport will do given your history.

Safe Entry removes all doubt, assuming the company says they can do it. But if they can't, you don't pay. The way it works is you send them pix of your passport (including all prior entry/exit stamps) and details of planned arrival (date/time/flight). They show it to an IO who will be on duty at that exact time and date. They then reply to you with confirmation of assured entry and cost.

Besides being assured of entry, usually with no questions at all asked as IO has already reviewed your documentation, you get whisked straight through the priority line.

I have three times recently used Safe Entry for friends, went very smoothly.

Alternatively, if your issue re retirement approach is not wanting to move funds into Thailand, open Thai bank account etc, an OA visa may work. You just show proof of funds in your home country. You will need proof of insurance but for initial visa this can be a foreign policy, even ta ravel policy. (Which you should have anyhow). OA gives multiple entries and you're stamped in for 12 months each time.

The insurance requirement does become a hassle later if you want to settle here and do annual extensions in-country (at that point they only accept local policies which are problematic in many ways) but in such an eventuality you can just let the OA visa lapse and come in on an O. You would at that point need local bank account etc.

Thanks all for the knowledge shared. At this stage, I am just looking at options, and may not follow through with them anyway. I think a more full time move is a year or 4 down the track. It would be nice to spend some more time here (CM) when the weather is at its best, but that is also when the weather is at its best back home.
OA gives multiple entries and you're stamped in for 12 months each time.
And OA is another type of retirement visa (as well as family etc?), correct? Briefly, how does it differ from an O?

27 minutes ago, curlywombat said:

And OA is another type of retirement visa (as well as family etc?), correct? Briefly, how does it differ from an O?

A Non O-A is a multi entry visa with one year validity.

Each entry you will be stamped in for 12 months.

It requires health insurance.

A Non O and extensions do not.

The Non O-A requires 800k in bank however does not need to be maintained or kept in Thai bank.

With a Non O-A it is possible to stay almost 2 years by exit and reenter just prior to its expiry.

Insurance policy required.

There are other differences

Medical, police check etc.

Suggest Non O-A not best ootion for your situation.