Despite that the visa regulations was strapped up last year 12,092 retired people asked for a retirement visa to Thailand. Thailand is the most popular country to retire but the numbers are misleading when it comes to visa since many of them only stay a few month then go back even if the visa is 1 year. But the retirement visa is the best solution for people can still get it. Before young and handsome people like me could get it as well as long as we had a retirement plan from the government. Now you need to be over 55 years of age and your girlfriend have to be under 25 years of age alternative if you living in Pattaya she can be from 18 years. (now I am joking).
In Malaysia where you can own land and get a 10 year visa only 8000 people ask for the visa there last year.
But Thailand has to be careful with new land laws and visa regulations if they want to stay on top of things so to speak.