I want to retire to Thailand when I reach my 65th birthday in spring of next year. Although I am not rich I am quite well off and can easily meet the 800,000 baht requirement or more. My income is also very decent . However, at my age I know I will not be able to get insurance. I just need to satisfy the requirements of immigration. Really just emergency care if needed. In an emergency I would have no problem paying tens of thousands of dollars to save my life out of pocket.  Any serious issue such as joint replacement or cancer surgery would be done in the United States where I have decent coverage. Is my age and prior conditions going to prevent me getting a retirement Visa or is there insurance available that is just the minimum that is CYA in regards to the Thailand government?

No health requirements needed for Non Immigrant O visa.

Being 65 should not exclude you from being able to get health insurance?

The O-A, visa has an insurance requirement. The O, does not.

Many here self insure. It's a perfectly fine option. 

I have insurance, but by the time they excluded all the pre existing. It's really nothing more then expensive emergency accident coverage.

Unrelated, but you mention you have an income stream. If you have 65,000thb monthly pension income, you don't need to maintain 800,000 in a thai bank. No sense letting your money sit idle if you don't need to.

If you've got money to burn, the Elite Visa is an option. Some say it's a simpler path to retirement here.

Edited September 1, 20251 yr by SlowlyMan

When you apply for the non O in your home country and then come to Thailand.. How long does it take to get the visa extended to one year ?  How long does it take to get a multiple entry permit for that visa ?  

When I enter into Thailand and go for the initial 12 month extension do I need to have the 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account for more than 2 months ?  So the only way to get the extension is to stay there for at least 2 months ? 

Once you have the 12 month and multiple exit/entry.. Does that mean you effectively have the same privileges as a Non OA visa ?

Edited September 1, 20251 yr by PatsGuy

On 01/09/2025 at 16:37, windsors420 said:

I want to retire to Thailand when I reach my 65th birthday in spring of next year. Although I am not rich I am quite well off and can easily meet the 800,000 baht requirement or more. My income is also very decent . However, at my age I know I will not be able to get insurance. I just need to satisfy the requirements of immigration. Really just emergency care if needed. In an emergency I would have no problem paying tens of thousands of dollars to save my life out of pocket.  Any serious issue such as joint replacement or cancer surgery would be done in the United States where I have decent coverage. Is my age and prior conditions going to prevent me getting a retirement Visa or is there insurance available that is just the minimum that is CYA in regards to the Thailand government?

You can get insurance (I'm 74), try the recommended brokers :  https://www.aainsure.net/VIP-505   

Anyone know if Thailand accepts proof of Veteran Association Healthcare as insurance coverage, or do you need private insurance as well?