I should be returning to Thailand at the end of Oct/early Nov. with a retirement visa from the New York Consulate.

Will I be required to purchase a R/T ticket; or, is one way sufficient?

Lance   you have a visa so a one way ticket is sufficient. Without a visa you'd need an outbound ticket within 30 days to be eligible for the 30 day on arrival tourist permit.      

I didn't know it was possible to get a "retirement visa" from outside the country. Can you explain how this is done? I had to get a non-imm visa in Uk and then apply for the retirement visa in Thailand. Maybe things have changed.

that is the O/A Non-Immigrant visa for either retirement or a spouse. It can be done abroad, but things like opening a bank account getting the bank letter make it impractical for intents and purposes. You did it the best way.

I received my retirement visa while in the U.S. I had to mail my required documentation to the Thai Embassy in Chicago and had no problem.  I only had to show proof of income (pension) in the required amount and my U.S. Bank Account.  There was no questions of a Thai account. Took less than 10 days.

As for the round trip ticket, I did have to convince the Airline that a OWTicket was permissable as I had a visa already.  The Airline said they had to meet the requirements of the destination Country before allowing a passenger to board.  After showing the existing visa I had no problem.

sliver hawk,

when u applied to the chicago embassy. did u have to suppy the medical and criminal check and ur passport, too?

everything i read it such a hassle to get the retirement O/A

also thought one had to have a thai bank account too.

any info is appreciated