BaanOz

On 2/26/2026 at 2:58 PM, Priorexpat said:

Yes, paradise lost, sorry to get nostalgic.

One thing I remember was negotiating the ruts in the dirt road between Patong and Karon Beach.
Think "tarmac" was put down in the late 80's.

On 3/3/2026 at 2:24 AM, BrandonJT said:

Who told you this?

Just had a look and a number of embassy sites plus the official e-visa site.
Although, ignore "notarised" as that was on embassy sites and afaik no longer used and not mentioned on the e-visa site.

"it needs to be done in your home country", I read directly from the e-visa site about OA non-immigrant visa:

Required Documents
5. A medical certificate issued in the country where the application is submitted... etc etc.

On 2/27/2026 at 5:04 PM, Dazzler said:

Thank you Dr. Jack.

So I have to decide between extension with sending funds into a Thai bank, or going through the whole O-A process again; I was hoping there would be no funds transfer requirement :(

There is one other "gotcha" with this visa I can't see is mentioned above that I haven't been able to solve. The O-A requirement of the medical certificate.

My long term doctor refused to sign it without ALL tests ticked off and if any are inconclusive made a point of also not signing. Try getting a couple of those tests done in Sydney. Also, tried other doctors and travel medical centres but no luck.

In a post I made about this previously, people mentioned I could get it in Thailand online but apparently it needs to be done in your home country and notarised. I have seen online doctors in England can do it for you so maybe that's an option for you.

I'm applying for the 90 day non-O this month. Have given up the thought of the O-A and might be for the best anyway.

35 minutes ago, khunPer said:

A one-time re-entry permit costs 1,000 baht. An unlimited re-entry permit for as long as your stay is permitted – i.e., the period for annual extension of stay – costs 3,800 baht.

Cheers khunPer, can you get multiple "one-time" if 3x re-entries 3000 baht and more than that, better get the unlimited?

On 1/31/2026 at 8:45 PM, Upnotover said:

Then you will get a 90 day entry on arrival and within the last 45 days of that you can get the 12 month extension. To do that you will need to have deposited the 800k in your Thai account not less than 2 months before applying.

Hi, if I arrive on a 90 day O-visa and I get a bank account opened and transfer the money the first week of arrival, leave it there for 2 months, that would mean 3 weeks before it expires to apply for the extension.

Is 3 weeks enough to apply for the 1 year extension?

I'll be applying in Phuket, can see the minimum time to apply here: https://piv-phuket.com/retirement/

Thanks.

4 hours ago, khunPer said:

Be aware of travel insurance, if it actually covers you one year abroad, or is a duration of one year with limited time for each trips, for example maximum 60 days.

Thanks khinPer, I just double checked and "Maximum cover duration: 12 months per journey (no extension possible)". Can't get this insurance now but (for now) I'm "grandfathered" on a commbank travel insurance.

4 hours ago, khunPer said:

There is no problem to be outside Thailand for 2 months or longer when having a non-O visa and extensions, you just apply for a re-entry permit or an unlimited re-entry permit for a year, if you wish to travel more than once, when renewing your one-year extension of stay.

Thought I'd need a re-entry permit no matter how many times I exited Thailand during the extension period?

This has morphed into a different topic O-A vs O and my doctor may have done me a favour. I didn't want to get the O for reasons above but it looks like a better choice especially long term and as Dr Jack mentioned, if I change to the income method, no cash sitting idle in a Thai bank.

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Absolutely it's worth obtaining the Non O retirement for stays you outlined.

Thanks Dr Jack, how does this work?

Firstly the 90 days, extend 12 months giving total 15 months.
Get a re-entry permit, exit after 10 months and return at 12 months and extend my 2nd year at the 15 months.

From then on I just have to make sure I leave and return before expiry to renew for another year otherwise the extension expires and would have to start again by getting the 90 day in Sydney?

16 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I prefer to use WISE for transfers from Oz.

Same, used for years but is there any issue transferring the 800K in one hit? Guess for a new account at least a tiny amount to check first!

I'll check around with the suggestions above but might bite the bullet and go for the O-visa if any further trouble with the O-A. Thanks.

1 hour ago, BrandonJT said:

Non-OA only makes sense for someone who will be returning to their home country every 2 years and will apply for a new non-OA visa, so they never have to deal with immigration in Thailand or a bank deposit.

Thanks. This is exactly why I wanted to go for the O-A but for the next few years, planning only 10-12 months max in Thailand, then 2 months back in Sydney. Is it worth getting the O-visa for my situation?

Last couple of years used the METV for 6 months.

Anyway, thought O-A was more appropriate than getting the O-Visa. Especially if I exited and returned before the 12 months finished and get another year.

If I got the O-Visa, stayed 10-12 months, then after a couple of months in Sydney would the process be to get another 90 day Non O-Visa and start again?

6 minutes ago, khunPer said:

and approved health insurance

Was planning to use the cheap Falcon Insurance for about 7000 baht. I have other travel insurance that covers me up to 12 months.

Thanks for the replies.

Was thinking I could just ask the doctor for blood tests but believe the ELEPHANTIASIS test might be difficult to get in Sydney. Not to mention the LEPROSY (skin biopsy). Not sure.

Saying that, I suspect he won't sign the standard form anyway due to this part: "in good physical health and mental health, free from any defect". He listed a couple of past issues on his letter and a medication. That suggests I'm not free of defects and he can't write these on the standard form.

To get a Medical Certificate in Thailand for the O-A would mean a trip there and back so thinking I'll just have to go the Non 0-Visa route. Planning to spend maybe 10 months a year in Phuket and a couple back in Sydney each year.

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

It's an issue as some clinic/doctors will want to do blood tests etc.

Some may just sign the form and place a clinic stamp on the form.

Here is form:

Thanks, that's the one he wouldn't sign.

Except the version I had might have been old and didn't have ALCOHOLISM or CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19).

Planned to get an O-A Visa, put the A$40K in an account in my name last year and went to my doctors today sign the medical certificate.

Showed him the O-A requirements and the Thai medical certificate. Long story short he refused to fill it out saying that some things can be underlying for years without symptoms (like TB). The actual form says I am "FREE" of those conditions which he wouldn't sign.

He went ahead and wrote his own letter saying "as far as I know BaanOz has never presented or complained of symptoms of the 4 conditions". Also, as the form also mentions good mental and health, he also wrote a couple of things including a "mental" issue from 20 years ago on my file.

If I submit the letter he wrote, any idea if it would immediately be rejected not being the official Thai form for their medical certificate? I suspect the answer is yes and lose the application $'s

I could not just show up at another doctors and expect them to sign it, so I think the only option would be to get tested for these:

1. LEPROSY

2. TUBERCULOSIS (T.B.)

3. ELEPHANTIASIS

4. DRUG ADDICTION

5. THIRD STEP OF SYPHILIS

Has anyone else had to get tests for these in Australia? I read that rare diseases like leprosy or elephantiasis require referral to an infectious diseases specialist or public hospital clinic.

1 hour ago, treetops said:

 

No, it's all clear as mud and nothing is set in stone as it's new to everybody.  I do not subscribe to the school of thought mentioned and ensured I have statements from my investments at 31/12/2023 in case they're ever needed, but I don't intend to file Thai tax returns and draw attention to myself unless things change.

 

There is currently no action being taken by the RD to track down typical expats and audit/tax them.

This is exactly what I’ll do. Maybe clearer by mid next year with the proposed changes or at least people may have real experience after lodgement of this year tax.

I think the school of thought may have arisen with people writing retirement, investments, bank savings under a general word as “savings”.

Note one of the tax “experts” has written here:

 https://www.expattaxthailand.com/taxation-overseas-pensions-thailand/

• Pre-2024 Income: If you accumulated pension income in a foreign account before 2024 and choose to remit it to Thailand after January 1, 2024, this income is not taxable. This offers expats flexibility in managing their pension income, allowing them to bring in older savings without facing tax penalties.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

To clarify the 7 day thing. 

It's not an actual extension it's a 7 day "get out of Dodge" Stamp. 

Sometimes obtained to avoid overstay stamp for few days overstay. 

Thought that might be the case so 1x 30 extension only per year.
Yep wait until the dust settles 

On 10/28/2025 at 6:20 PM, DrJack54 said:

Fantastic result. Great that it went well. 

Was, a period where some folks hassled at airport even with having a valid METV. 

Thanks for update. 

 

 Well it sounds like this exact method I used is finished with the new 2x yearly extensions only.

1 x 30 day plus 1 x 7 day extension. ie: the second one is cut short. Don't know why you'd bother with the 2nd 7 day extension.

To spend 6 months using this visa would need to exit Thailand twice (rather then exit once plus 2x 30 day extensions).

On 6/5/2025 at 8:00 AM, DrJack54 said:

Down the track please report regarding entry and subsequent entries with your METV. 

Interested as this should be hassle free option to spend 6 months in Thailand with convenient side trips using flights. 

Drjack, to complete this I did my final and stress free extension today.

Went to an immigration office closer to home than the main Phuket office previously and it was a totally different experience. Great!

Anyway 2 years and 2 METV down with zero issues. I’ll be leaving at 179 days 😜 

On 9/16/2025 at 10:55 PM, oldcpu said:

Of course you could simply leave Thailand every year, timed to invalidate your OA visa, and apply again for an OA visa when in the Philippines

I thought if you left and returned prior to the OA expiring you could get another year out of it?

About the insurance expense, if you're keen on having insurance in Thailand, wouldn't that cost be the same either way? ie on OA or O.

Also, with the O I believe it needs an extra passport thingy to come and go as you please, unlike the OA?

On 10/22/2025 at 11:54 AM, BritManToo said:

I always answer money sent by my children.

Totally acceptable to Thai authorities, and removes any potential further requests for a TIN as it's not taxable.

Gifts are not taxable? Sounds interesting

On 6/8/2024 at 12:00 PM, Sheryl said:

Do find out which her primary hospital under the  scheme is. Suggest she register for a patient number at Vachira (good to do in advance anyhow)  and ask at that time. It might be Thalang hospital. In which case she must go there first and, if necessary, get written referral from them to Vachira. That referral letter is essential for getting care under the universal system. 

Well it's been a while since asking about insurance and I looked back at this post today before we headed to Thalang hospital.

Wanted to see if she needed to register at Thalang or could go directly to Vachira hospital.

The reason is she needs expensive Creon medication (in Thailand) and this is to find out if we can get it cheaper via a hospital. Went to the pharmacy at Thalang hospital and they said "when you are feeling sick (or run out of Creon), go to Vachira and you will be looked after". Thalang hospital doesn't stock it so I assume this gives her a free pass to Vachira as our relatives here have said a referral is normally required to transfer to Vachira.

The pharmacist at Thalang hospital also mentioned Creon is expensive so not sure if we'll have any luck at Vachira. Maybe there is an alternative there. Will find out.

In relation to the insurance chat above, wife has come this trip for the first time (in decades) on a Thai passport and our travel insurance would not cover her in Thailand due to her Thai citizenship. That's fine but it still covers her when she accompanies me on my visa run to Malaysia.

On 7/31/2025 at 1:47 PM, Rob Browder said:

Granted, an METV only improves one's odds - not a "sure thing" - so, one may still need to pay immigration's agents to enter hassle-free.  This can be done repeatedly, year-round, without issue; suddenly their "concerns" about "abuse" (sic) of tourist-entries magically go away.

Well the scary thing you say didn't eventuate and as I stood there trembling, he handed back my passport and said thank you.

On 7/31/2025 at 1:47 PM, Rob Browder said:

Granted, an METV only improves one's odds - not a "sure thing"

Ahh well hopefully going in the Thai line with my wife and her 2 sisters also reduces the risk.
Is there's some post/info about bribery via an agent?

Thinking to go the O visa route next year.

On 6/10/2025 at 1:51 PM, BaanOz said:

 

Hi Drjack,

With reference to my post below, I had zero issues on my entry. Will see how the extension plus re-entry goes in a couple of months. Probably go to Penang.

I did have A$1000 (~B20,000) on me but was on my way within 2 minutes, stamped passport for a couple of months.

 

Next step today I extended my visa for 30 days at the Phuket Immigration office. There's a new building to enter compared to last year.

Lined up to get my paperwork checked and had a few things wrong like missing google coordinate of the house I'm staying etc.

I returned after fixing things and the guy shook his head and went and got another 2 forms I had to fill in - STM.2 & STM.9. Didn't have to fill those in last year but an interesting thing he said...

He flicked through my passport and he also saw last years full page METV and said "why did you pay for a visa?" He said "there was no need, you can come 2 or 3 times a year". Meaning on visa exempt.
 

On 6/5/2025 at 10:02 AM, DrJack54 said:

The small issue you have is previous METV. 

Said I read online people having troubles and he said "well it's your choice but there is really no need".
I saw this guy last year too and really helpful.

6 hours ago, Will27 said:

You're better of doing what most of us do on here.

Put him on ignore.

 

Cheers Will, advice taken.

Been ages since looking here. A strange situation and a shame. Guessing it’s put off regulars posting.

Something I’ve never seen on a forum before.

On 7/18/2025 at 5:06 PM, KhunHeineken said:

I searched "CRS Non-Reporting Financial Institutions."

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Reporting_Standard#:~:text=All European Union (EU) countries,not signed are small countries.

 

"Starting to report in 2018:

Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia................................................"

 

https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/policy-issues/tax-transparency-and-international-co-operation.html

 

"In today’s globalised world, it is crucial that tax administrations work together to ensure the right amount of tax is paid to the right jurisdiction. The OECD is at the forefront of international efforts to use enhanced transparency and exchange of information to put an end to bank secrecy and fight tax evasion and avoidance."

 

" In 2022, information was exchanged on 123 million bank accounts worth EUR 12 trillion."

 

That's a lot of bank account details exchanged. 

 

"The EOIR standard requires that information that is “foreseeably relevant” for tax purposes, such as information on the identity of the legal and beneficial owners of assets, companies and accounts, be available and accessible to tax authorities that can then exchange this information with tax authorities in other jurisdictions, on the basis of an international agreement. "

 

"assets, companies and accounts" legally covers everything.

 

  https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/sub-issues/international-standards-on-tax-transparency/automatic-exchange-of-information-exchange-relationships.html

 

The title says, "Automatic Exchange of Information - Exchange relationships."  Note the words, "automatic and exchange."

 

"Australia  Thailand  CRS MCAA activated"

 

"Thailand Australia CRS MCAA activated"

 

Notice the flow of information goes both ways. 

 

I don’t understand the goal here when you intentionally quote what it reports but left out what is “non-reported”.

Just looking at other threads here and seems this is a common theme.

6 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

So, my question remains the same.  Where did you source the information in your previous post from? 

I think you should DYOR as whatever I say will be shot down with zero fact checking on your part.

Just search... CRS Non-Reporting Financial Institutions

2 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

Where does the above come from? 

With respect, best to do your due diligence on previously provided* before asking more.

*Not tax advice.