blanes2007

On 7/2/2025 at 8:36 AM, zzzzz said:

told you many times
Thai visa centre,  Grace!!!

In April, they sent me an email that they are ready to make the 800 000 extension for 17 000 bht (last year was 25 000 because "the rules was tightened")

- entered Thailand on a visa exemption 3 months ago,

- after 1 month, changed a visa-free stamp to a Non-O visa (retirement)

- now, after 2 months, will apply for a 1-year extension

1+2= It's been 3 months since entering the country.

Should I do 90-days report before applying for a 1-year extension? 

2 hours ago, Gsxrnz said:

It ain't worth 350 kangaroo bucks and 3,500 baht to have your name published in a dodgy Pattaya newspaper over an incident involving a thieving coconut bar working girl. I'd pay 5 times that to keep my name out of the paper.

And what if you were a 65-year-old wheelchair-bound person whom society has long written off? Then it's quite the opposite - he might actually want this 'news' to spread as widely as possible and eventually reach Australia, so his fellow residents at the care home would be consumed with envy.

My theory is that he deliberately set this up, and while peeking from the bathroom, his greatest concern was that she might turn out to be honest and not rob him at all.

(threateningly ) Hey you! You tuk-tuk? You! Tuk-tuk you! You! Tuk-tuk! You! Hey! 

On 3/23/2025 at 4:01 PM, sharot724 said:

Camper, I have a suggestion as I want to give it a go myself

 

Take the morning train with your bike to here and the roads will provide lovely biking. I have also camped there Doi Khun Tan National Park, just a hike up from RR

Exactly! I love it, too

https://lanna.kunlarat.com/doi-khun-tan/

57 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The thread is about border runs 

What are you referring to in outbound flight requirement .

Look at the text on the picture attached. Other agencies providing visa runs from CMai=>Chiang Kong => Friendship Bridge also mention that visa-runners must have outbound flight tickets

is an "Outbound flight to country of origin by paying the ticket already" really needed? 

is an "Outbound flight to country of origin by paying the ticket already" really needed? 

6 minutes ago, bluebanana said:

u mean I would need stay 2 nights for a border run  ?

Upnotover

I join the question.  Is there a new rule?

Returning to what was written at the beginning of the topic: I am over 50 and 800,000 have been in my account in a Thai bank for 4 months. The question was about the entry point to Non-O (stamp or e-visa?  - samaat chi satamp  dii...)

I printed out the text and went back with it. I took form TM87 from the counter, went to the desk inside the building, and showed them both documents. They read them, looking completely astonished.

Them: "Okay, you can change a tourist visa to a retirement visa."
Me: "Not a tourist visa, the visa exemption stamp!"
Them: "It's the same!"
Me: "No, it’s not the same..."

And so it went on. They don’t even know the basics!

Eventually, they reluctantly (lost face) agreed that one could get a Non-O visa with just a stamp on the passport

😤

I just came back from Chiang Mai immigration office. They told me it was the first time they heard that one could change a visa-exempt stamp to a Non-O visa. According to them, the only thing you can get on a visa exemption is a 7-day extension. I insisted that user DrJack54 from AN forum said otherwise, but they looked at me like I was an idiot. They called other officers over, and they said the same thing.

How much has changed in recent years! both the Thai visa system and the overall atmosphere of the forum...

AI Overview

To switch from a visa-exempt entry to a Non-O visa in Thailand, you need to apply for the Non-O visa at the Thai Immigration Bureau, ensuring you meet the requirements and have the necessary documents, and that you haven't overstayed your visa-exempt entry. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Eligibility and Requirements:
Visa-Exempt Entry:
You must have entered Thailand using a visa-exempt stamp, not a visa on arrival. 
Non-O Visa Requirements:
You must meet the specific requirements for the Non-O visa, which can include age, financial status, and other factors depending on the specific Non-O visa category (e.g., retirement, other purposes). 
No Overstay:
You cannot have overstayed your visa-exempt entry, even by a single day, to be eligible to apply for a Non-O visa within Thailand. 
15 Days Validity:
You must have at least 15 days remaining on your current visa-exempt entry to apply for the change. 
2. Application Process:
Gather Required Documents:
Prepare all necessary documents, which may include a valid passport, application form (TM.86 or TM.87), passport photos, financial documentation, and proof of residence. 
Submit Application:
Submit your application and documents to the nearest Thai Immigration Department. 
Wait for Approval:
The process can take up to 3-4 weeks, so apply as soon as possible. 
If in Bangkok:
If you are in Bangkok and need assistance, you can contact Thai Visa Experts for a fast-track application, but you must be present at the Immigration office. 
3. Important Notes:
Visa-Exempt Entry vs. Visa on Arrival:
Entering Thailand with a visa-exempt stamp is different from entering with a visa on arrival. Only those with a visa-exempt stamp can apply for a Non-O visa inside Thailand. 
Non-O-X Visa:
Foreigners who enter Thailand with other types of visas/visa exemptions may apply for a Non-O-X visa (long-stay 10 years). 
Retirement Visa:
If applying for a retirement visa (Non-O), ensure you meet the age and financial requirements. 
Consult Immigration Office:
It's always best to consult the local immigration office for the most up-to-date information and specific requirements. 

1 minute ago, blanes2007 said:

visa exempt > Non O

Thats interesting! Could you give me more details please (and links to the official website if possible, please, kob khun maak in advance 🙂  )

Many moons ago it wasn't possible. One with 1 month stamp should go out of Thailand for a visa (no changing)

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

From the visa exempt you can obtain a Non O at local immigration office.

Where are you located. 

 

Really? Is it possible (visa exempt > Non O)?

I'm in Chiang Mai

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That is one option.

You apply anywhere outside of Thailand using the e-Visa platform.

Don't use Laos at this stage.

Saigon is a good option.

The amount of time you stay depends on how long the process takes. 

The other alternative is to exit Thailand kill off current permission of stay and reenter visa exempt. 

That is border run with agent.

Where are you located. 

Actually I've got many options including a marriage-based 3 month extension in my local immigration, or to contact the agency again

but I want to get a new Non-O sticker

I hate Embassy it Phnom Pehn as well as Cambodia at all

Vietnam 😍

For some reason, I want to reset my retirement visa history and its extensions (previously handled by an agency, and immigration officers tend to view these stamps unfavorably). I’d like to get a new visa sticker and handle the subsequent extensions on my own. I’ve already had 800,000 baht in a Thai bank for four months.

Previously, the process required traveling to a consulate in a neighboring country, submitting documents in the morning, and receiving the passport with the sticker the next day. For example, I liked the consulate in Ho Chi Minh City.

Now, as far as I understand, the system has changed. Applications for visas must be submitted online, but you must be outside Thailand while doing so.

So, what is the procedure now? Do you travel to Laos or Vietnam, stay at a hotel, scan your passport with the exit stamp from Thailand, submit the documents online, and wait in the hotel for 5 days for an email response?

I splitted my time once.

Ten years later I am also looking for water pump repair in Chiang Mai 😁

...and wooden door installer as well 😀

The Royal Coast: Hua Hin - Pranburi (Pak Nam Pran) - Sam Roi Yot... Prachuab Khiri Khan?

Road traffic in Cambodia is much more chaotic then in Thailand but slower because of road condition and total mess. No one is neglected on the road except big Lexus SUVs belonging to big shots.  Don't try to ride motorbike by yourself, and bicycle as well. Even been in Siem Reap, you'll certainly put off by the idea of walking - no country for pedestrians.

All that is left is to hire tuk tuk driver for about 20-30 per usd day. You can find lots of proposals in Siem Reap Facebook groups. Such a driver will meet you at the airport and then take you to Angkor Wat the next days.

addition

But you can simply choose the driver from the dozens of annoying idiots waiting for customers in and outside airport parking.

We recently started a small business (massage shop). Despite the fact that our customers are satisfied with the service, they are very reluctant to leave reviews on Google Maps and TripAdvisor - which in turn affects our rankings on those sites and eventually visitor traffic. At the same time, some of our "competitors" were closed permanently during the pandemic, but their obviously dead accounts are still above us in "spa" rankings just because they have many reviews collected in previous years. Paid advertising on TripAdvisor starts from 16,000 baht, and such costs will definitely not pay off.

I don't want to mess with dodgy Internet services that cheat reviews using bots and fake accounts with Indian and African IP addresses. Both Google Maps and TripAdvisor now easily spot them and could ban my business profiles. All I need is only 1-2 new reviews a day from a real аccounts with normal online history and binding to Thailand.

An Indian tailor's shop next to us has several thousand positive customer reviews on Google Maps and TripAdvisor, and even gained some sort of "TripAdvisor's customers choice" status. What is his secret? There are many small Indian businesses in our neighborhood, their owners know each other and act as a mutual promotion network...

Any thoughts?