I have a Thai bank account with about 500k baht. I have a retirement income of about 5000 usd per month.

I own a small studio condo in Pattaya for about 15 years.

I have been coming to Thailand for over 20 years , 2 or 3 times per year.

I have an American wife who will remain in USA while I go back and forth for variable amounts of time.

I would like to stay in Thailand for over 3 months at a time without making "visa runs".

Can I apply for a retirement visa now; and, then pick it up when I am in Thailand in November?

Please offer details about what I need to do.

Thank you in advance.

Edited September 8, 200817 yr by khun_gary

You can apply for a 0-A Retirement Visa while in the states.

If you are over 50,

Some details from the LA Consulate.

http://www.thai-la.net/visa/visa-non-im-oa.htm

Edited September 8, 200817 yr by Lite Beer

And what do you tell your wife you're doing over in Thailand without her all the time......

And, yes, you can only really apply for visas when you're outside of the country in most cases, although some get other visas changed to retirement inside Thailand sometimes. But, of course, it's easiest just to apply when you're out of the country. You should be over 50 for retirement visa. A visa is a stamp in your passport, you know that right? So all they have to do at a Thai embassy or consulate in America is to stamp the visa in your passport in the U.S. and voila, you have a visa. Sounds like you're not really sure on how all that works. So, here's how it works. You get Thai visas outside of Thailand at a Thai embassy or consulate in another country. Since you live in America, makes sense to do it there.

You can apply for a 0-A Retirement Visa while in the states.

If you are over 50,

Some details from the LA Consulate.

http://www.thai-la.net/visa/visa-non-im-oa.htm

An O visa is easier and far less costly. He has the wherewithall to meet the financial criteria for a quick extension without the medical, police clearance certificate. and notarial requirements.