What are your views on a person of a pensionable (UK) planning to do this, say for 3 months a year, solo? No interest in making it my permanent home due to other commitments elsewhere. All to their own maybe but would be interested in hearing experiences of others, past and present who have chosen this route.

Don't think about it come over and do it, it's a great life, weather good and food good, never a dull moment.

Give it a try, nothing to,loose.

3 months is just an extended holiday, cheap enough to do, sit back , relax, enjoy, gotta be better than the rain and chill of the UK Winter.

I have done the circuit, short winter vacations, each getting longer, and then 2/3 of my time (not retired) working there on local stuff and also there on NY stuff with 4 RT per year. Now a few years doing like 3 or 4 months Thailand and the rest in NY, where the weather is pretty nice for 8 months, okay, maybe 7. well 6 months? But slow building economy has me here now worrying more about money, than the impending crappy weather. Still nice this week.

a double entry tourist visa may be good, but I have always done work permit and visa or retirement visa, but coming and going enough not to really need it.

Unless you have a good support system at each end, the leaving gets stressful, especially for those of us exactly 12 time zones away, can't dash back for stuff or repairs, but its still worth it. GO for it

I first came in 2005 for a month. Obviously, with the change of culture and expense it was joyous. Then I came during the winters for like 5 months renting a studio. The cost of living is fine depending on how rich your desires. If you are a bar fly and spend money with all that involves, be careful. Now I am fully retired and live easily on $2000 USD a month with money left over. It is an easy life, weather is great, and living costs are affordable compared to western costs. Try it for one go around and see how you like it. You may find out that you shouldn't have waited so long.

I have been working and living in LOS for around 10 years. I am in Oz at the moment and well into retirement age. I plan to live in both places as it is the best of both worlds. I can't do village life forever but the peace and quiet is good for a while, can drive down to BKK or go to the islands..Laos or even Hong Kong for a weekend if I want. Absolutely the cheapest option as it is getting beyond a joke trying to live off a small super + pension in OZ. Do it... while you are still young enough to enjoy. But as GONAVY says, stay out of the bars and red light districts and you will do it financially easily.

I have done it the last 5 years. 6 months Thailand, 6 months Canada. My last trip was 10 months. I love it. Rent a condo,

buy a scooter. Try it, see what you think.

It would be easy simply apply for a single entry tourist visa ( 60 days ) then extend it at immigration for 30 more for 1900 baht and you would have your 3 months. could do that every year many do and some do double entry tourist visa and get 6 months. Try it and see how you like spending the longer time here than just those on 2 week holiday. Can rent a condo or service apartment or buy one if you have the funds and decide to stay longer than 3--6 months a year, good luck.

Don't think about it come over and do it, it's a great life, weather good and food good, never a dull moment.

Give it a try, nothing to,loose.

Thats what i said ,nothing to loose ,Then i meet a thai lady

I don't think it matter whether you're a pensionable age or not basically what you are suggesting is wintering in Thailand, we have been doing it for 14 years, I've forgotten what snow looks like......do it ?

If more people took this approach...staying for no more than 3 months and then moving on...there would be a lot less negative feedback on this forum...

just moved back to the west after 5 years fulltime in Thailand. Never again fulltime. 50/50, ha sip / ha sip, my wife says. perfect! just long enough to enjoy the weather, visit with the family (mil,fil,bil, allgood people)who I love dearly, my children learn both Thai and English but get the bonus of civilized living here in the west. think it will help keep me sane, and the wife enjoys working and television here (US).

so me thinks your plan is perfect. bring your wife/gf/partner with you life will be less complicated.

Op, very easy to do part time... good weather to look forward to on the way out and then hearty food, delicious tap water, real beer and proper TV when you head back in. Just keep your head on and don't let those floozies bend your ear.