I am a 64 year old UK citizen and have been getting multiple non-immigrant O visas for years. I haven't got any entry/exit entries in my passport not supported by a visa and I have never ever overstayed.

Now, the Consulates need to send the passport details and supporting evidence to London for approval, which isn't a problem for me. I am on a Local Government pension and usually provide a payslip to show that income. Last year, I was asked to provide evidence of receiving the state pension, which I won't get until next year. Eventually, this was overcome and I got an O visa. I think it helped when I pointed out that there was a dual taxation agreement between Thailand and the UK for Government pensions but not the state pension.

My income is fairly good and I pay higher rate tax as it includes money from multiple sources (property), so I am thinking of deferring receipt of the state pension for a few years. Inexplicably, the consulate doesn't accept income from property as something that counts towards income no matter how substantial it is, but this isn't a problem for me because of the substantial LG pension.

I shall need the O visa to renew my Thai driving licences and maybe for banking purposes too. Since I usually stay in Thailand each year for around 140 days continuously, it is also handy to have to do only one visa run at 90 days. Once I've finished my visit, I don't go back until the following year so really I treat the O visa as what I would call a 'sunshine' visa. I like to sit on the beach from November until April. So while I am a tourist, a multiple entry tourist visa doesn't cut the mustard because while it would allow me to stay, I couldn't do the things I need to do. I don't really want to apply for an O-A visa because I have no intention of living in Thailand permanently and it is a lot more hassle. However, if needs must, then I shall do that.

I won't be 65 until early next year and will need to apply for the visa in October. The new arrangements seem to be insisting that to get this type of visa this year, you need to be 65 or over and need to show receipt of the state pension. So it seems questionable as to whether I will be able to get the visa I want. How can I show this if I have deferred receipt of the state pension? What about those who will not receive the state pension until they are 66, 67 or more? Soon, this will apply to everyone and it seems pointless to insist that this is produced in support of the application.

Anybody got any suggestions as to the best way I should get a non immigrant O visa this year and to wake Thailand up to solve the problems?

Get a tourist, then in Thaolan go to the local immigration office to change it to a non-O and afterwards get one-year extensions.

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