@Mike ******

I don't think

@Graham *****

was being "snarky". Just accurately cautioning about the recent crackdown on Educ. Visas.

Why "O-A"? If you go "Non-O", no insurance requirement. You can also enter Visa Exempt (&/or with Tourist Visa), and convert to Non-O promptly after arrival; and then go for your 1-yr Extension thereafter.

@Todd ********

Speaking of Lies. The Biggest Lies so far came out of your mouth: 1. That if you use an Agent to get your Retirement Visa "you only need to provide your Passport and that's it". 2. Your above Post, claiming you are earning 11% Interest on your $100K Bank Deposit. Love to see Proof of that!!! FYI -- I am earning 1.00% currently on my Thai Bank 12 mos. Fix Deposit, and until the recent rise of interest rates in the West, my Thai Bank interest has in fact usually equalled or exceeded my western banks. In any event, my required 800K Baht is only about USD $24K, while you are required to keep USD$100K in a low-interest Bank Acct. Regardless, our debate is and was always about whether an Agent is required and necessary to obtain a simple Retirement Visa/Extension; and NOT about the relative merits of an ordinary Retirement Visa/Extension compared to your supposed LTR Visa. But, if it were about that, again, most people do not have the financial wherewithal for the LTR Visa, and even if they did, as I pointed out, it is still more costly. Furthermore, as you apparently admitted, you don't even need an Agent for that either!!! Now, give it up you TROLL.

@Todd ********

Really? So, it's a bad thing in your small financial mind to deposit 800K Baht into a Thai Bank, but its ok to tie up USD$100K in your home Bank (to avoid the mandatory Thai Insurance requirement), versus far better investments. And, as I've repeatedly stated, we don't stand in line -- no line at my Bank, No line at Immig. with simple Appointment. Now, why don't you go Troll someone else. Either way, I intend to continue to give my helpful advice to those that are appreciative.

@Todd ********

Actually, I am quite familiar with ALL of the various types of Visas. And, my wife and I have been "Seasonal Residents" in Thailand for more than 12 years, so nothing "new" about this for us. In any case, I thought our "friendly" little discussion was about the relative merits of using or not using an Agent to obtain a Retirement Visa/Extension. And, NOW, you apparently have just admitted an Agent is not even necessary for your more demanding LTR Visa Application. LOL. Because you obviously lost that debate, now you apparently want to change the topic to comparing the merits of an ordinary Retirement Extension to your LTR. As for myself, I can assure you I have weighed the Pros and Cons, and decided not my best choice. But, I will grant you that it is a "close call" at least for those old enough to qualify for ordinary Retirement Extension. Again, my wife and I have never required more than 1-2 Re-Entries, and I suspect that is true of most long-stay Ex Pats living in Thailand. IF, like you, multiple Re-Entries are necessary and desirable, then purely from a cost perspective it is close --though still slightly less expensive -- and definitely not all up front -- for the ordinary Retirement Extension. As for the other "benefits", I say "Meh". Notably, having to only do a 1-yr Report instead of 90-day Report, is actually of little if any benefit if, like you claim, you take advantage of your multiple Re-Entry to travel in/out of Thailand frequently (AT LEAST 4 times in a year, to make that worthwhile). And, if that is true, then you may not have to file any 90-day Reports regardless. And, BTW, it only takes about 1 minute to do a 90-day Report Online. As for queue preference at the Airport, whoppdee doo -- if you are age 70+ you get that Preference anyway. And, most importantly for me, I have no idea where I'll be for the next 10 years, or whether I will desire to continue returning to Thailand to reside. (Of course, I understand that for those persons under the Retirement Visa Age 50, the LTR may be their best option for long stay -- presuming they can afford it).

@Todd ********

You do it your way, and I and most of the rest of us mere Mortals will do it our way -- and, not spend unnecessary money for an Agent to obtain an ordinary Retirement Extension. But, I will try to "be smarter" like you Todd. LOL. 😂 BTW -- What's this about a 20 min. online application-- you wouldn't be suggesting it can be done without paying an Agent, would you?

@Todd ********

And, if you don't want or need an Unlimited Re-Entry ... or any at all, how does that figure into your math, Genius? Oh, and I guess you forgot about the yearly cost of your mandatory Thai Health Insurance. Or, the undoubtedly HEFTY FEE your oh-so-helpful Agent must have charged you. Not to mention the major hassle of the additional application reqs. for the LTR. (Oh, and what happens if you Croak Off before you have used your full 10 year LTR). But, I think I finally have you figured out, and why you have your Head Up Your Ass about my wanting to help people with simple Do-it-Yourself Instructions for ordinary Retirement Extension: Because you feel like a damn Fool for having spent so much money for your LTR Visa. It's ok, lot of other Fools out there to join your company. lol. BTW -- Let's not forget, again, that this whole discussion arose over my Instructions for do-it-yourself ordinary Retirement Extension, which a whole lot more people can afford, versus the LTR Visa that has very Substantial Financial Requirements, that many/most folks cannot afford. So, take that and stuff where the Sun Don't Shine (i.e. where you put your Head). LOL. 😂

@Todd ********

Ya, I feel totally humiliated -- by the (so-far) 6 Thumbs Up to your 1 "Laugh" for my original Posted Instructions. (And, that's just this Post -- I've posted it many other times & places, to similar "accolades". ) BTW -- Why don't you explain to all your "Fans", the requirements for your supposed LTR Visa, compared to a normal Retirement Extension, and see how many could afford that, let alone the gruesome application process versus the simple No-Agent-Required Process for an ordinary Retirement Extension. Oh, and speaking of your Financial Genius, you'd rather spend 50,000 Baht Fee (versus 1900 Baht for 1-yr Retirement Ext.), together with mandatory Thai Health Insurance, than simply depositing a modest 800K in an interest bearing Thai Bank Account. Oh my, I feel so utterly "humiliated". Bye Bye.

@Todd ********

"Where do I claim to have obtained a Visa at all? Right -- nowhere. I HAVE AN LTR VISA." Your mind is not functioning right. Oh, and let's not forget your earlier Post: "you need one thing with an agent. A valid passport. That is all." Something is definitely wrong with you. LOL. Talk about an embarrassment. 😂 FYI -- YOU are the only one who have made such comments. All others, have been "Thank you". BTW -- You sure as hell, didn't get an LTR Visa with only a valid Passport and "that's it", whethr using an Agent or not. Anyone who believes that, is indeed Stupid. LOL.