Update on Non O Visa (retirement) in Penang

I just returned from a visa run to Penang to get a new Non O (Retirement) visa as I wanted to shift my annual extension date out of December, which is a clusterxxxx at Phuket Immi.

1. Penang Consulate is super efficient and quick.

2. If using Banana Tours they advised a new requirement for (all?)tour operators if using the combo income plus bank deposit method -

you require a minimum of 400,000 baht bank deposit regardless of income/pension amount on the Embassy Stat Dec.

I know this makes no sense but I had to taxi quicksmart to the Consulate to do it myself - no such requirement there - just total more than 800,000 Baht.

Otherwise easy peasy and mission accomplished.