Nordlys

Sorry for late reply, KhemaKhema,  

Some 20 Japanese nationals have been ordained at the said monastery (but only four remain in robe now).  So yes, I believe the abbot has a connection with provincial head monk of National Office of Buddhism  (เจ้าคณะจังหวัด), but not sure about the head office in Phutthamonthon though.  

The monastery is Mahanikaya, and like many other monasteries up in the north, in the lineage of late Khruba Siwichai (ครูบาศรีวิชัย).  

So there's no need to move TM30 even if one is away from the home monastery for long term like a year or longer, so long you remain a member of the Sangha of the home monastery?  

The Samanera candidate has already left the monastery and the deputy abbot messaged him to inquire with CM immigration about in-country application of Non-R with visa exempt, but I don't know if he has done so and in all likeliness we won't know until he returns to CM from border/visa run.  Either way, I told the abbot that he can do border run to Vientiane if the immigration says in-country application of Non-R is possible with visa exempt, but otherwis go do visa run at Vientiane embassy and apply for single-entry tourist visa as you advised.  
 

On 3/6/2025 at 10:50 AM, KhemaKhema said:

Out of country application for monks and samaneras with Thai-issued BaiSutthis is definetely possible , for MaeChis and Anagarikas i know only of cases who have applied for a visa while already inside of Thailand (with tourist-visa 🙂

What if you don't have a Bai Sutthi yet?  I suppose most people applying Non-I Type R outside of Thailand don't have Bai Sutthi for most naturally aren't ordained yet until they land on Thai soil unless they already undertook Bhikkhu ordination at a Thai monastery in their own respective country.  Can you be granted Non-R if you don't have a Bai Sutthi yet?  

Off topic but speaking of TM30, I see many monks change place of their residence from one monastery to another, especially during Vassa.  Many would spend Vassa at a branch monastery or even at temples outside of their own lineage.  Some go on to practice thudong and become a wandering monk (often in forest), including foreign monks.  Some even dwell in the forest.  I don't think you're exempted from reporting TM30 just because you are a phra farang, but I know most don't strictly follow all the TM30 guidelines.  Do you have any advice/comment on that?  

23 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Better to opt for visa exempt entry.

e-Visa means process time and gives same 60 day stamp. 

 

The recommendation of using minivan border run company is good advice. 

Yes, same 60 days stamp.  They say the processing time is anywhere from 10 to 15 days but it usually gets done in 2 to 3 days working days fora single-entry e-tourist visa (so I heard).  Short enough processing time.  They're also not very comfortable with the idea of in-country application of Non-Immigrant R with visa exempt arrival for no one at the monastery has ever done it before (but all successfully applied for Non-R after arriving with tourist visa).  

BTW, since when did in-country visa application with visa exempt arrival become possible (for Japanese passport holder)?  

Anumodhana Sathu 🙏

I've actually never even met this person (inquiries comes to me via the deputy abbot of the monastery) but applying for multiple-entry tourist visa means he has to go back to Japan.  So he will do either visa run or border run to Vientiane in about a week's time and come back to Thailand visa exempt or with a single-entry tourist visa, both of which gives him max 90 days stay in Thailand with one extension.  I suppose that's plenty enough time to apply for Non-I R and to ordain as Samanera.  An expert in another forum advised me he should NOT do border run without an "experienced border run service company".  So we opt to do visa run rather than border run and simply apply for single-entry tourist visa (cheap and simple enough).  

I never knew one can apply for Non-R at the embassy/consulate abroad for Samanera, Mae Chee and Anagarika.  One western monk I know claims they don't issue you Non-R without Bhikkhu ID (ใบสุทธิ).  Is that true?  Do they issue ใบสุทธิ to Samanera and MaeChi too, let alone Anagarika?

You said they only give 90 days visa when you apply Non-R from overseas.  I suppose you apply for one year extension AFTER you get your ใบสุทธิ issued in Thailand?  

Thanks so much for answering, KhemaKhema.  

So you can change to ANY type of visa so long you're eligible for application even if you landed in Thailand visa exempt, including Non-I Type R?  

I never knew you can apply for Non R at the embassy/consulate overseas.   Do you know of any monastic who actually have done so?

This inquiry isn't for myself (I'm just a lay supporter of that monastery and have Thai citizenship) but every foreign monastic who ever ordained at the said forest monastery seem to have applied Non R AFTER they landed in Thailand as tourist (with tourist visa), presumably because we believed you have to ordain to become a monk/samanera first before you can even start to apply for Non R.  It's probably easier to apply in-country in Thailand rather than at the embassy/consulate anyway if you are from a country that allows visa exemption entry, I suppose?  

I though letter of recommendation is issued by National Office of Buddhism (สำนักพุทธ) and I thought they are needed for annual visa extension?  Do you actually need it when you apply for a fresh new visa too (both from สำนักพุทธ and Department of Religious Affairs?)?  

Can anyone tell me if in-country application of Non-Immigrant R (Religion) in Thailand is possible for a Japanese passport holder who lands in Thailand visa exempt?  

I was told in another online forum that a Japanese passport holder can apply Thai visa in-country even if they land in Thailand visa exempt, but just about every foreign monastics (monks) who took Bhikkhu ordination to become a monk in Thailand arrives on tourist visa and change to Non-Imm R inside Thailand,  Japanese or otherwise.  

Can someone recommend a non-dealer auto maintenance/repair shop in Bangkok for my almost 20 yrs old Toyota Fortuner please?  

My 19 years old Fortuner's optitron meter no longer illuminates (it does but often takes time, sometimes not until 15 min after ignition).  I brought it to the nearest Toyota dealer but all they can do is replace the whole instruments panel which costs almost 15,000 Baht.  I've done some Googling and it appears there are easy fixes that involves changing IC/condensor behind instrument panel and it doesn't even cost 1,000 Baht.  But it's a skill beyond my ability.  I can spend 15,000 but I guess I don't want to spend that much for a car that's probably not even worth 200,000 Baht.  I can find a lot of body shops but not maintenance/repair shops around where I live in Sathorn district of Bangkok.  Any idea where to bring my car for an easy but affordable fix?  

On 4/17/2022 at 8:53 PM, Nordlys said:

Is the negative COVID test still required for transiting passengers after they abolished the pre-flight RT-PCR test for fully vaccinated Thailand Pass holders?  Or is the pre-flight test supposed to substitute post-arrival test still mandated to all arrival passengers?  And where can one buy 24 hrs health insurance?

Also, does "sealed route" include airport shower facility and dining area (cafe and restaurants)?  

9 hours ago, BritTim said:

If pre departure Covid tests are not a requirement for your destination country, I do not think they will be a requirement for the transit at Suvarnabhumi. However, I would recommend that you verify your airline endorses this interpretation of the rules.

Pre-departure COVID test is not required for the destination country (London Heathrow) and neither is health insurance covering US$20,000.  However, it's pretty obvious health insurance covering said amount is required even for transit passengers spending less than 24 hrs at Suvarnabhumi.  I raised the question because there's a conflicting information between Thailand Pass FAQs PDF issued by foreign ministry (link posted by ubonjoe) and Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand announcement (link below) that does not mention pre-flight COVID test as requirement (dated April 7th, 2022).  The planned flight (Tokyo, Narita → BKK → HRW) is 2 months away and there's a good chance it will all be scrapped if Thailand Pass is abolished by then.  However, with all the variables it's hard to book the flight beforehand while the TG sales lasts.  As you said, I should probably ask the airline.  

https://www.caat.or.th/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/guidelines-Inter-flight-with-Transit-Transfer-passegers-TH-ENG.pdf

On 3/9/2022 at 5:55 AM, ubonjoe said:

Source: https://consular.mfa.go.th/th/content/thailand-pass-faqs-2

Is the negative COVID test still required for transiting passengers after they abolished the pre-flight RT-PCR test for fully vaccinated Thailand Pass holders?  Or is the pre-flight test supposed to substitute post-arrival test still mandated to all arrival passengers?  And where can one buy 24 hrs health insurance?

Is it true when you're granted citizenship that they (Min of Interior?) will notify your embassy you are now a naturalized Thai citizen?  

I heard from a border police/soldier at Khao Phra Wihan National Park in Sisaket that access to the Preah Vihear Temple that has been denied to all Thai passport holders either via border crossing with Thailand or from within the Cambodian border for the last 15 years has finally been allowed in recent years (but from within Cambodian borders only).  Can anyone confirm if this is true?  

I'm planning a trip to the world heritage site with my Thai wife after the pandemic is over and all COVID restrictions lifted.  

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

It is here in immigration order 327/2557. Many Thai's have gotten one due to entering with their foreign passport.

 

Thanks so much ubonjoe.  

Someone messaged me this link.  

https://www.thaicitizenship.com/thai-ancestry-visas/

I never knew such visa existed.  I assume this is the same thing?  

On 4/2/2020 at 2:24 PM, blackcab said:

There is no need for you to do this. You can get a 1 year extension of stay for 1,900 baht on the basis that you are a Thai citizen. The 1 year extension of stay will be entered into your Japanese passport.

 

As far as immigration is concerned you will still have to comply with TM30 and 90 day reports.

 

If you do not leave Thailand after 1 year, you can get another 1 year extension on the same basis.

Please allow me to revive this thread.  

I went to the Immigration Bureau at Chaeng Wattana twice this year for different matters but also raised this issue and discussed with the officials there (PR section staffs).  They've all shown keen interest in my case and most of them told me it doesn't matter if my visa expired and I ended up overstaying as foreigner so long I can prove with my Thai national ID card that I'm Thai.  I'm not so sure if I can take my word for it and I'd rather leave a clean immigration record as a Japanese passport holder even if I can continue to stay legally as a Thai.  

BTW is there any name for that extension scheme?  that you say I can apply on the ground that I'm a Thai citizen?  No one at the Immigration Bureau suggested any such extension provision exists on both occasions I visited Chaeng Wattana.  I've since managed to get another 2 years extension of my Non-Imm B visa but it will expire next April and this time around it's won't be extendable as my employment contract will cease next year.  We're closing the company so there's no longer a company to sponsor my Non-Imm B.  How do you extend Non-Imm B visa when your employer ceases to exist?  

The other option I was suggested is to change my visa to marriage visa which I assume I can do without leaving the kingdom....  Showing minimum 400,000 Baht deposit in Thai bank account is not an issue but how do I go around the min 40,000 monthly income when I go out of work?  

I'm asking this as me and my wife were looking for a short, getaway destination for the sake of putting an end to this neverending visa extension loop once and for all and start living afresh as a Thai citizen by leaving with a Japanese passport and returning with Thai (which I got issued for the first since my teenage year last year).  We just got our int'l vaccine passport but unfortunately it looks increasingly like any hope for leaving Thailand without mandatory quarantine in Thailand if not in destination country too is a pipe dream now.  

And as some of you have suggested, they said they can't just give me an exit stamp on my Japanese passport at Chaeng Wattana just because I have a Thai citizenship.  

The title says it all.  Can one file 90 days report (TM47) at a provincial immigration office outside of your registered home province if you are unable to do so online or by mail?  

Immigration Bureau website says "For other provinces, notify at Immigration Checkpoint in local area where the alien resides."  But if one can do the annual visa extension in the other provinces (so I heard) why not the 90 days report?  

I knew Ajahn Jayasaro was awarded with the citizenship two years ago by HM the King but didn't know about LP Sumedho and the other monk having accepted the offer (or even been offered for that matter).  

I actually don't know who the other Venerable is.  Could that be the Wat Rattanawan abbot Ajahn Nyanadhammo?  ????

You mean without even asking?  ????????

LP Passano and Amaro of Abhayagiri and Amaravati Monasteries who aren't in Thailand also received ecclesiastical titles two years ago.  Were they granted PR too?   

3 hours ago, KhemaKhema said:

The head monk of the province (เจ้าคณะจังหวัด) usually is in close contact with NOB and knows them well.
Applications that have his strong personal support will be contemplated quite different from those made by "unknown" monks.
Your abott should go there and have a chat with him.
To which Nikaya does your monastery belong to, Dhammyut (ธ) or Mahanikay (ม)?

I never asked if it's Dhammayut of Mahanikaya but his temple being one of the branch monasteries of the lineage of renowned and perhaps one of the most revered monks in the north Khruba Siwichai who is well known for a conflict and insubordination to the Sangha Supreme Council in its early days I have no doubt it is Mahanikaya.  The monastery is located in Southern Chiang Mai in the mountainous region only about 20 min from the birth place of Khruba Siwichai.  You might know Khruba Siwichai as a bhikkhu who built one of the most famous tourist spots in Chiang Mai, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.  

Yes, I also heard the Aussie Venerable has a rough road ahead with his PR application.  But I also recently heard from a Thai supporter that LP Sumedho (the first foreign disciple of LP Chah) who recently returned to Amaravati Monastery in UK where he spent quarter of a century as a founding abbot also have a Thai PR (no surprise but I initially speculated he left Thailand after spending 10 years in his retirement at Wat Pah Rattanawan because of visa issues) and another farang Venerable also at Wat Rattanawan who was granted PR after his 2nd attempt at application.  

The immigration officials suggested that one doesn't necessarily have to have Non-Imm R to remain in robe in Thailand - e.g. he can switch to Non-Imm O (long stay visa) in the event if his Non-Imm R application is denied (that said as a monk, my Ajahn had been a renunciant for the last quarter of a century and it's not sensible to ask the abbot to transfer the temple fund to the bank account in his name).  

It sounds like เจ้าคณะจังหวัด is also a good candidate to ask to write a  recommendation letter for the Japanese Venerable.  I will forward all your information to him.  Sadhu X3.  ????

BTW I also recently got to talk to one Thai monk, a fellow Sangha member of the other Japanese monk of 30+ vassa from Wat Pah Sukato the forest monastery in Chaiyaphum who regularly comes to teach at a Vipassana Center near my home in Bangkok and he happened to be a monk who had provided assistance for visa extension and application to this Japanese Venerable.  All this time I thought this Japanese venerable's visa application after 30 years in Thailand under Non-Imm R was denied but it turned out after 30 vassa he relinquished the idea to further practicing in Thailand turned down his fellow Thai monk's offer to assist him with his 7th application after he returned to Thailand on tourist visa (after he left Thailand when his 6th 5 years-term has ended), probably to concentrate on teaching the Japanese laities which indeed he actively does after resettling in Japan 3 years ago.  

My misunderstanding that he was denied his visa application after 30 years under Non-Imm R visa is actually what prompted me to suggest my Japanese Ajahn to consider PR application in the first place last year and indeed, when I brought this up  at Chaeng Watthana in February the Immigration Officer said while they can't speculate as to why it was denied to this Japanese monk but claimed NOB rarely ever denied issuing ใบรับรอง and as long as it is issued the Immigration Bureau has no reason to turn down the Non-Imm R application no matter how many times it was previously issued to a same applicant.  

I could have asked the Japanese Venerable directly but I never did because I was afraid it would be akin to asking him to reveal his shortcomings, if any - too rude as he doesn't know me.  

I explained that all to my Ajahn in Chiang Mai last month and told him that perhaps PR application isn't only worth the effort and cost but unnecessary at all but his Thai abbot is now keen to do his favor for his deputy and eager to give it a try so I'll let them do as they please from there - why not, some claim being Japanese national alone - an identity generally favorably accepted in Thailand is a great asset and advantage, not to mention there's little competition among 100 quota allocated each year to Japanese applicant - unlike Chinese and Indian nationals who fill up the 100 max quota on the first day of the application (but rarely ever fills up if at all for Japanese).   

21 hours ago, KhemaKhema said:

I think i have to make this more clear:
Your senior monk has NOT " been in Thailand under the same visa for the last 25 years but interrupted and had to be renewed every 5 years.".
This is a very important point!
Once he left Thailand without a re-entry permit his visa was finished.
He then applied for a NEW visa outside of Thailand and has NOT renewed the old one outside of Thailand.
So in terms of immigration he is now in his "3rd extension of the last Non-Imm R issued".
Therefore he needs to bide his time until he can apply for permanent residency.
I remember you were planning to contact Chaeng Watthana, have you made inquirements into the PR process for monks yet?

Correct, but he didn't reapply because he left Thailand without a re−entry permit．

And yes, we did go visit Chaeng Watthana in February and saw the actual application submitted by an Aussie monk, an abbot of a branch monastery of Ajahn Chah's Wat Nongpapong in Phetchabun province.  We were simply impressed, if not blown away by the impressive and neatly compiled supplemental materials submitted with the application (publications, CDs etc. - sort of a portfolio of what the venerable has been doing in Thailand thus far, both for himself as a Dhamma practitioner but also for locals as well as lay people in general) and the dedication of his lay supporters who provided it all - we are simply no match (I got to talk to one of the Thai lay supporters who provided all the supporting materials last month).  They published that in the exact quantity of the committee members who will decide whether or not to grant him the PR - if he doesn't get it, it made me wonder who will.  

If there's anything we can match to this Aussie monk that would probably be recommendation letters, but without recommendations from well-known venerables like Ajahn Jayasaro and LP Liem (Wat Nongpapong abbot who succeeded LP Chah), among others.  Unfortunately, my Japanese Ajahn hasn't done much to teach the Thai general public (e.g. giving Dhamma talks, leading retreats, distributed Dhamma books, provide teachings via online media like YouTube Channel and podcasts like this Aussie venerable has done) - he has been teaching Nak Tham exam preparation to Thai monks of his monastery but not publicly (other than in Japan) and he has been a rather reclusive, solitary practitioner most of his monastic life (a พระกรรมฐาน type if you know what I mean).  

The officer didn't encourage that he applies PR and simply recommended that the monk sticks to lifetime of Non-Imm R extension (easier for farang bikkhus but less so for Japanese).  

I told the Japanese monk that I can no longer recommend him the PR application in good conscience but his Thai abbot now seems keen to give it a try so I recommended them both go visit Chaeng Watthana Immigration themselves to find out more rather than to rely on 2nd hand information (which they plan to do in May, if not hampered by the new surge in caseloads).  The officer there was very open in showing us the Aussie monk's application but not so forthcoming in providing answers to our questions (very vague answers).   
 

21 hours ago, KhemaKhema said:

Regarding your 5 vassa monk:
The NOB is not issueing letters of recommendation "arbitrarily".
If there is a compelling reason they will, if not, they won't.
My recommendation is for your abott to go see the head monk of the province (เจ้าคณะจังหวัด) and explain the situation to him.
The head monk of the province could then talk to NOB Chiang Mai and ask them to consider issueing a letter of recommendation based on the extraordinary circumstances during the international COVID situation.
If they still refuse, i would use the visa amnesty option as long as possible and then, once Thailands borders are open again, apply for a new visa from abroad.

Wow that is nice to know but how do you know that and do you actually know if any monastics had done that and had NOB successfully issued หนังสือรับรอง toward the 6th/11th Non-Imm R extension?  

And yes, the only option left if everything is exhausted (other than to return to Japan) is to apply for 60 days COVID extension at 1,900 Baht each time (a bargain compared to making a round-trip to Japan).  

I've recently talked to one of the lay volunteers of a forest monastery in Nakhon Ratchasima that hosts many foreigners lay people and monastics alike and she told me she just successfully helped a Korean lay person's COVID extension at Nakhon Ratchasima immigration office.  She said this person has been staying in Thailand at her monastery since late 2019 on multiple consecutive extensions of his tourist visa.  And with the recent new surge in clusters in Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand it is highly likely the Emergency Decree will be extended once again along with 60 days COVID Visa Amnesty.  

OK, the senior monk has been in Thailand under the same visa for the last 25 years but interrupted and had to be renewed every 5 years.  But you get my point.  

Now getting back to my question could it be true that NOB official can arbitrarily issue certification letter for 6th consecutive extension of the Non-Imm R visa at their own discretion against their own written-out guideline?  That's what I've been told the abbot of the monastery where the Japanese monk of 5 vassa is the Sangha member has been told by the NOB official at its Chiang Mai branch.  So it's not a first-hand information and I'm highly skeptical of its veracity.  

His visa is expiring in 3 months and unless the said certification letter is forthcoming his only option is to apply for "visa amnesty" which allows any Non-Imm visa holders whose visa is expiring to legally extend their stay in the kindgom until July 27th if applied by May 29th.  If the emergency decree will be extended again it's likely they will further extend the visa amnesty too for another two months (at 1,900 Baht each time) but that's the only option he has to remain in Thailand legally or to return to Japan at any cost.  

41 minutes ago, KhemaKhema said:

yes, it is possible.
These decisions are made on a highly individual basis.
There is quite a number of foreign monastics who managed to extend their visas to more than what is usually granted.
Usually, there are compelling reasons, like (already mentioned) not having finished ones PALI studies yet, or, abbotship.
According to your information, your senior japanese monk seems to have done it many times already,
but now the officials for some reason seem to have put an end on it.

 
Hi KhemaKhema,  

Yes, that senior Japan monk has done it many times but he had to leave Thailand every 5 years and return to Thailand with tourist visa and reapply Non-Imm R all over again.  He has been in Thailand consecutively for the past 25 years with Non-Imm R visa now but that doesn't mean he had it extended 25 times.  We went to the Immigration Bureau to meet with the official in charge of PR application in February and they pointed out the said monk of 25 vassa isn't eligible for PR application yet until October this year despite the venerable had stayed in Thailand under the same Non-Imm R visa for the past 25 years, but because he hasn't been in Thailand under the renewed Non-Imm R for 3 years yet if you know what I mean (by that, I mean 3rd extension of the last Non-Imm R issued). 

I've recently learned that Chiang Mai branch office of National Office of Buddhism said they're willing to issue "certification letter" (หนังสือรับรอง) toward the sixth year extension of Non-Immigrant R visa against their own rule.  However, this directly contradicts with the confirmation I got over a phone with Phutthamonthon headquarter last year when I inquired with them if they have any provision for extraordinary circumstance like pandemic in the event the foreign monks cannot leave Thailand, to which they replied "certification letter" can be issued for no more than 5 times per Non-Imm R visa for foreign monastics from Buddhist countries no matter what (pandemic or not).  It also contradicts with their own written-out guideline (ระเบียบสำนักงานพระพุทธศาสนาแห่งชาติว่าด้วยการออกหนังสือรับรองให้ต่ออายุวีซ่าแก่ชาวต่างประเทศผู้เข้ามาศึกษาหรือปฏิบัติธรรมทางพระพุทธศาสนาในประเทศไทย พ.ศ. 2546).

National Office of Buddhism is a ministry-independent, department-level government agency that reports directly to the Office of Prime Minister.  And if I understand it correctly, they can't overrule or override their own rule to suit our convenience without making official amendment and announcing it publicly.  It also begs a question why now when it wasn't possible last year.  

Does anyone know if the 6th year extension (or 11th year for farang monastics from western, non-Buddhist countries) is really possible for Non-Immigrant R visa holders?  

Is this for tourists only or any Non-Immigrant Visa holders who cannot extend their visas for whatever the reasons (e.g. not all visas can be extended indefinitely).  

And what if the visa holder's embassy does not issue a letter certifying s/he can't return to their home country?  

This concerns a foreign monastic who cannot extend Non-Imm R visa after 5 years and have to leave Thailand when his visa expires in July.  He can leave and return to Thailand with a fresh new visa but the cost of doing so is prohibitively expensive now for a renunciant monk.  

What card registration is step #1 about? ???????? 

On 11/25/2020 at 10:40 AM, KhemaKhema said:

Now, two steps back, may i offer some reflections suffused with loving-kindness:
It seems you have very good intentions to help the foreign monastics in your monastery with their visa-issues, this is most praiseworthy.
At the moment ,you seem to be in an "action-mode", trying to give help where help may be needed, but maybe not so much or so urgently as you may think.
Also, through your lack of experience in these confusing matters, you may have to develop more patience and equanimity.
In practical terms, you could contact ChaengWatthana, try to get reliable information regarding permanent residency for monks, summarize it up on a document and then just pass it on to the monk quietly.
After that, i would recommend you to let go of the issue for now.
I am sure, when the situation requires it, the monks will happily contact you.

In both worlds
the merit-maker delights.
He delights at the thought,
'I've made merit.'
Having gone to a good destination,
he delights all the more.
Dhammapada verse 18

Heedfulness: the path to the Deathless.
Heedlessness: the path to death.
The heedful do not die.
The heedless are as if already dead.
Dhammapada verse 21

Thanks for all your inputs and sharing of Dhammapada verses + wise words for reflection.  

Yes, you're absolutely right about me in full "action-mode" so much so I almost forgot it's his PR application and his future in Thailand at stake, not mine.  Either way it's already been determined the Venerable will waive this year's application and he has gone into short, two weeks solitary retreat (he calls it กรรมฐาน) in a remote kuti on the monastery ground.  So I'm not in any rush to go to Chaeng Wattana for now but I will definitely do so perhaps after New Year.  

I'm still trying to determine why the other Japanese monk who had spent 30 vassa in Thailand at the better-known and highly respected forest monastery Wat Pah Sukato had his visa denied after 30 extensions, in a hope perhaps he can share some insight as to whether or not we should really pursue the PR application at all next year. That said I don't even know if he knows why his extension was denied.