Traveling Sailor

Visa Express www.visaexpress.net is wonderful. I'm a US citizen and got excellent service..

Why can't we learn?? Let's see, Thais are taught to do as I say, not as I do. Their public school system does not teach them Critical Thinking. They are taught not to question authority. They are taught to accept what is with a smile.

Need I say more?

Better yet, how about making a certain grade on the ONET a requirement of graduation. That might make the students sit up and take notice.

Just another example of "knee-jurk" reaction without any thought involved. But then, what percent of the Thai population knows how to think things through, what with the education system teaching nothing but "rote"? This will be yet another example of wasted time and money with zero positive results.

Thank you Jingthing and ubonjoe for your responses back on 4 & 5 March.

Although the stamp in my passport says "RETIREMENT", I am sure you are correct in saying it is an "O" one year extension.

To make sure I am understanding you both correctly: To stay in the country until November 2013 I should renew my "O" extension prior to August 2013. Then, if I don't plan to return, I can just purchase a 1-way ticket and leave. If I change my mind while in the USA, I must obtain a new "TR" visa to return and then convert again to an "O" before my "TR" visa expires.

Am I correct here? Or, did I miss-read something?

This is my first post so please bear with me. I arrived from America 25 May 2011 on a 6 month Tourist Visa. I applied for, and received, my Retirement Visa in June at the Nakhon Si Thammarat immigration office. They are very friendly and helpful. I needed a signed statement from Bangkok Bank, a statement of income from the American Embassy in Bangkok, pictures of my Thai host family and me inside and outside the house and 1900 Baht.

I do have to appear at the immigration office every 3 month to verify my address. It takes all of 15 minutes to fill out the form. submit it, get it stamped with the date that I must return. There is no immigration fee for this.

I renewed in August of 2012. Additional requirements were a map showing where I live, a copy of each page of my passport and proof of my income plus bank account balance ( copies of all pages of all accounts). Opening a Direct Deposit account has helped a lot.

I hope this is helpful.

I am planning on returning to America in November of this year for an extended visit. I have questions about renewing my Retirement Visa or switching back to a Tourist Visa. Is this the correct place to ask the questions or should I ask some other way?