I want to change my retirement extension status to ED visa. What are the options?

- Can I change to ED visa while my retirement extension is still active or do I need to let it run out and apply ED afterwards?

- Will there be any issues with owning condo or vehicle with ED visa as I have both.

- Can you still keep your bank account?

The reason is I want to study Thai and don't see the point in freezing 800k in the bank.

Thanks

You can study on an extension of stay based on retirement, so you can wait till you need to go for your enw extension of stay.

There are no issues with owning a condo, your bank account etc.

Note that if you go to a language school, you will probably only get extensions for 90 days at a time and thus need to pay 1,900 baht every 90 days for the extension. In that sense the retirement extension is of course cheaper and less hussle and paperwork.

Immigration might require you to go abroad to apply for an ED-visa if you want to change from retirement.

My experience over the last 6 months+ with ED Visa. Obtained visa (Vientiane) and got the normal 90 day stay upon entering Thailand, date of entry July 13, 2012. After the initial 90 days, with paperwork from my (PL) school applied for and received a 90 day extension for 1,900 baht at CM immigration. At the end of that 90 days, with paperwork from my school (PL), obtained an additional extension for 187 days (due to the fact I went to immigration early) for 1,900 baht, this extension runs to July 12, 2013 completing one year. The usual no charge 90 day reports are required. These are facts and not hearsay, I have the stamps in my passport to prove it. BTW - I am 64 years old and there was zero concern over my age as a few people have said in other posts.

The reason is I want to study Thai and don't see the point in freezing 800k in the bank.

Just to be sure, you do know that it only needs to be at least 800K for the 3 months before your renewal application...not the whole year. And you also may have the option of getting an income letter letter from the home country embassy in Thailand which could mean you don't have to keep any money in a Thai bank.

My experience over the last 6 months+ with ED Visa. Obtained visa (Vientiane) and got the normal 90 day stay upon entering Thailand, date of entry July 13, 2012. After the initial 90 days, with paperwork from my (PL) school applied for and received a 90 day extension for 1,900 baht at CM immigration. At the end of that 90 days, with paperwork from my school (PL), obtained an additional extension for 187 days (due to the fact I went to immigration early) for 1,900 baht, this extension runs to July 12, 2013 completing one year. The usual no charge 90 day reports are required. These are facts and not hearsay, I have the stamps in my passport to prove it. BTW - I am 64 years old and there was zero concern over my age as a few people have said in other posts.

The length of the extension will depend upon where you are located and the course of study.

Bangkok and Pattaya only give 90 day extensions for the standard school that most people are going to.

Phuket is one year AFAIK.