What's the bottom line on obtaining a retirement visa if you meet all the requirements except for the age of 50 ? Can I get a retirement visa at age 46 with a monthly pension in excess of 65,000 ?

In a word, NO.

With only four years to go to age 50, it is obvious that border runs are in your future if you want to stay here in the interim.

Only your local immigration can answer that question. Perhaps if you also have the bank deposit when you asked the chance might be better but don't know. But nothing lost in asking. The fact is that in most rules here the bottom line is bamboo rather than cement.

Perhaps lopburi3's response should be pinned!!

All advice given in this forum is just our best information on the subject and that after reading all the advice, every poster/questioner should go to an immigration office or embassy and try to get the approval needed, in the off chance that the regulations will not be followed in an individual case!!

If it in fact turns out to be true that I cannot get a retirement visa until age 50...are 90 day visa runs required for:

1. Attend Thai university on student visa ?

2. Do english teachers with a 1 year work permit

make the quarterly visa runs ?

1. If you do a univ course the chances are you'll be elegible for a Non-imm ED Visa which can be extended for a year at a time (up to two years? Or longer?) so no you shouldn't have to do runs with it.

2. Generally no (I've been here 3 years straight) but some teachers do if they don't have the required quals, or if their school is not certified (chances are this won't apply to you, but it does happen!) or doesn't have loads of $$$$$ behind it!

You could also find a suitable Thai lady and get married.

Most marriages are convenient in one way or another

You could also find a suitable Thai lady and get married.

Most marriages are convenient in one way or another

I am married to a Thai...is there another visa for this classification not requiring the quarterly visa runs ?

You could also find a suitable Thai lady and get married.

Most marriages are convenient in one way or another

I am married to a Thai...is there another visa for this classification not requiring the quarterly visa runs ?

Yes! And it only requires 400k in or 40k per month income. You and wife will have to go together to an immigration office (you need a real visa first) during the last 30 days of stay and apply. Will take about an hour of time and you will have to return about 6 weeks later to get final stamp but well worth the effort. It is an extension based on supporting a Thai wife and you will find much information/requirements in the forum or home site and many other immigration sites. Basic is marriage certificate, her id card and home register, bankbook (and letter from embassy if you have to use income), bank letter confirming amount in account (and proof from overseas if no work permit), photos together, your passport/visa/tm.6, and tm.7 filled out with payment of 1,900 baht.

Why didn't you tell us?

As Lopburi states you marriage makes the one year visa very easy, and a lot cheaper than the retirement version