Information Overload - Retirement Visa

[MrBlueSky]

I have been reading this forum for many months and have now decided to register!! This is my first-ever post and I apologise in advance if this topic has been done to death in the past, but I am receiving conflicting information regarding visas etc.

My circumstances are as follows:

I currently live in the UK and plan to emigrate to Thailand in August 2016. I have no intention of working and, when I am 50 years of age in October 2016, plan to apply for a Retirement Visa. I am fairly confident that I will satisfy the criteria for this visa. I am single.

My questions are:

1. Am I able to apply for the Retirement Visa in Thailand?
2. If I am able to apply for a Retirement Visa in Thailand, can this be done from holding a Tourist Visa?
3. The 3 months from August through October, what will be the best visa to have applied for here in the UK (Triple-Entry Tourist Visa or Non-Immigrant 'O')?
4. Would I be eligible for a Non Immigrant 'O' Visa?

Thanks in advance.

[Lite Beer]

1. No but you can apply for a 12 month extension of stay based on retirement.

2. Yes but might be easier to get a Non Imm O Visa from a neighbouring country once you are 50.

3. Tourist Visa. How many entries depends on when you want to apply for retirement status.

4. Not until you are 50. In the UK probably not until you are much older.