I have been planning on moving to Thailand when I retire for many years and now it was time to set things in motion. Officially, I would be retiring on 3 April, 2010, but due to a new China Airlines flight schedule the best flight (arrival time in Bangkok 1600) was going to be suspended effective after the 25 March flight. So, I scheduled some vacation days to cover the difference and booked a flight for 25 March.
I had already sent off for a new passport since Thai law requires one to have a minimum of 18 months remaining on one’s passport in order to get a one-year visa. Renewal was painless, done via snail mail, and for $75 I had a new passport in about 2 weeks.
I then called up the Royal Thai Consulate in Hawaii and spoke with a Thai lady nicknamed “Mickey”. I discussed the requirements and she was very helpful. She pointed me to the Royal Thai Consulate Los Angeles web site to download the forms and explained the other details.
I filled out the forms and called back to find out how many copies were required. She said she only needed one copy as they had a scanner. I then went and got some passport size photos made. Since I was working as a civilian on a military base, I had my security manager request a records check from the Military Police. This was accomplished in under 2 days.
I then scheduled an appointment with my doctor to get a TB test and a drug test. There are five things you cannot have when entering Thailand – syphilis, leprosy, TB, elephantitis, and drug addiction. I had the gamut of tests and also some blood work done as I had not been to a doctor in about 10 years. All test results were OK.
I also had to provide proof of current and future income. This required a letter explaining my future retirement benefits, pay statement, copy of bank account info, W-2 form, and my Thrift Savings Plan totals.
I put together my packet and headed off to the Royal Thai Consulate (co-located with a housekeeping company – The Maid Brigade) and dropped everything off on a Friday. I was told it would take 3-5 business days. I called the following Friday and found out it was already completed this past Monday – but no one informed me.
So, I bit my tongue, and headed back to the The Maid Brigade – er – Royal Thai Consulate – and paid my $175 and got my passport back with my brand new Non-Immigrant O-A, multiple entry, visa.
I will now have to report in to Thai Immigration every 90 days and once per year get an extension. This will require me to have 8000,000 in a Thai Bank or a combination of retirement income and savings.
All is good and I am in Bangkok for a couple of days before settling down in Khon Kaen.
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