pdebuck456

Me as well. Arriving 25th this month, same frequent flyer program as you but through KLM flights from AMS. Also flying business (company expense 😉 ) and doing enough flights/year to reteain Flying Blue Gold or Platinum which gets you the Skyteam Elite Plus tier. Won't be really testing the "business" fast track this time as I opted to pay for it (booked through the Sawasdee app, reccomended), usually when arriving on the KLM flight it's not too busy and you are through immigration in pretty much under 15 minutes, but if the flight is only so much as 20 minutes late, you suddenly are queing together with a few widebody planeloads arriving from all over the world. Had this happen to me twice last year, resulting in queing well over an hour! Having my own place in BKK and having to fly up and down between the EU and Thailand between 7 and 10 times/year I usually only travel with hand luggage, so when immigration goes smooth I hop into my taxi about 15 to 20 minutes after getting of the plane. Getting unlucky at immigration can easily stretch that to 1,5/21 hours!

Last trip (january) I also got denied while holding business class ticket on the way in. The officers guiding traffic didn't even want to look at my ticket and indeed got quite rude when I politely told then I flew business. Additionally, thos counters only had like 2 or 3 (Thai) people queuing, so not that they were backlogged in that area. When leaving I was however allowed the fast track security/immigration (everything on the departure level, no need for the escalator up one floor), but since the automatic immigration gates you hardly save any time!

I always carry my drone as carry-on. Never had an issue, is regarded as a laptop. which also tend to have sizeable batteries.

Kind of weird as the bank statement and letter are valid for 7 days. For the last few days between extension application and the issuance of the bank statement/letter they ask to update your bankbook, so they can confirm nothing untoward happened with your balance those days. Additionally, there are banks who do not issue the statement on the same day (I thought Bangkok bank), so how would that work then?

Business (or first) class ticket holders used to be allowed to use the fast track section of immigration, but apparently this is now reserved for BOI related stuff such as LTR holders, smartvisa holders etc. Now business class flyers are however allowed to use the priority lanes at the regular immigration zone. So when arriving from the gates and turn into the immigration area, keep right, together with the "Thai passport" holders. Keep boarding pass ready to show at the staff there, you'll be let through. I ususally just queue up with the rest of the farang travellers, as this goes pretty fast most of the year (usually less then 10 minutes), unless you arrive at one of the "peak" times (like 6:00 AM when all the Europen Thai Airways flights arrive). When I see it's crazy busy, I just go right and do priority, although can also have queues if there happen to be some elderly people, or people in a wheelchair. There's only two booths, and often just one staffed.

Last one on this as we are digressing... Yet heaps and heaps on the DTV visa! And I am sorry, not having a back-up plan worth a few 100k Thai Baht, Thailand is not the place for you...Be smart, save up and then come over here.

I'm kind of confused about that nail/coffin thing. The rules are pretty clear, and there are lots and lots of people simply abusing the system. Long term stay, get proper visa. Short term stay (actual tourism), visa excempt. Medium term stay tourism, get tourist visa (up to 90 days with extension after 60 days, or get multiple entry tourist visa for even longer). For a lot of nationalities getting a visa takes little time/effort, not even having to come out of your chair for it (E-visa). Yes, tourism is not doing good, but that was with up to recently very liberal visa exempt entry rules, the current lull has none to very little to do with visa's. The best booming years in Thai tourism was when visa rules were way stricter (90's, with only 15 days visa excempt)!!!

Oh yes, and reducing the visa excempt back to 30 days is also once more talked about. As usual with Thailand, might happen tomorrow, might not happen at all and stay at 60! Not the first time it is talked about without it actually happening. But could end up being a pain in the behind if it does happens, a few days before you fly out (as I am sure Murphy would time it), and you were planning on staying more then 30 days...

With a bit of extra paperwork (police clearance in home country, health insurance, ...) a Non O-A (multiple) can be applied for, and then only need to show funds in homecountry, no need to move it into Thailand and lock it up...You do need to have equivalent of 800,000 Thai Baht in your european home bank! It's not the best of times to move big chunks of cash with the current strength of the Thai Baht! Once you have one of those, you do as many trips as you want in one year!

You should not have a problem and will be allowed in (2026 is a new year). There is however a chance you will be questioned and asked to provide proof that you abide by the minimum requirements to be allowed in on a visa excempt entry, so make sure you are prepared: Be able to show the equivalent of 20,000 Baht, prefereably in cash (Baht or foreign equivalent), best not to trust good internet and being able to log into internetbanking. CAsh is easy to show on the spot. Have a confirmed outward ticket within 60 days of your arrival (again, best be prepared and print out). Have a confirmed booking of hotel, o some sort of proof of where you'll be staying. If you have i's dotted and the t's crossed, you will be allowed in. This said, if you expect 2026 to be a repeat of last year, I would just get on with it and apply for a visa. The process is fairly easy nowadays, no visits to embassies or consulates needed, just a little extra expense for the E-visa and the peace of mind that comes with it. Which one to go with would depend on your personal circumstances, but tourist visa has virtually no requirements, apart from the ones you need anyway to get in on visa excempt!

Ah, good to know! Assumed LTR retiree had the same restriction on work as the regular retiree extension! There might be a way towards LTR, but through the highly skilled route, as my companies (both the one here and the one back home) are solidly in one of the BOI approved sectors. That way the 80,000 USD does not have to be passive (if i read it correct), and there are some other advantages, mainly a flat 17% income tax rate on money earned in Thailand. It would (possibly) also absolve me of any tax risk on foreign earned income as the tax I pay back home is way higher then 17% and my country has a double tax treaty with Thailand. Number of employees not soo much an issue as i have two actual working employees here, and on a marriage extension that is sufficient (as opposed to 4 employees on a non-B visa) to support the workpermit. Food for thought and more money to my accountant so he can go straight to work whether feasible and tax efficient😆!

Absolutely! If I ever get retired it'll be either LTR or regular retirement extension, but both of those are incompatible with me needing a workpermit here in Thailand. And prefereably LTR, even more easy as, if I understand correctly, no need to deal with immigration, nor do 90 day reports.

Is that before or after tax? In Europe that's some serious income if after tax! Even before tax that would be substantial if retirement. I would reach that only if allowed to count the dividends my own company pays me yearly on top of my regular salary as the owner/director... Common for Americans, much less so for Europeans. As said, in my case it opens up a much easier way to open and run my Thai company/subsidiary under the marriage extension.

Good chance next year I'll do it myself, when you snatch an online appointment, you're also in and out pretty fast. Regular que ticket, not so much, expect between 2 (very lucky) and 5 hours! Or get there like ungodly early! Not my definition of a fun day out 😅

Mainly just getting it right first time! It is a lot of paperwork, and chances, especially first time round, are substantial you miss things! Plus the in and out of immigration in 15 minutes flat. They actually went with my whole file a week upfront to immigration, getting it pre-approved, so I was in and out in 15 minutes when I went (along with the wife) the 25th Also during that pre-approvement the request came for the receipt of the KhorRor2! Which neither me nor my lawyer were aware of it was needed.

It's not a core part of the lawyer I use (corporate law), but they do have a department for visa/workpermit. They charged me 15,000Baht. I know Thaivisacenter charge well over 40,000 Baht, at least they did a few months ago.

Don't really see a fitting one for me! Also considering the whole company/workpermit requirements are a lot lower and easier/faster to process when on a marriage extension. Less staff needed, less capital in the company, not even a fysical office is needed! Supporting a Thai family apparently comes with perks (albeit at sort of a less visible cost 😅🤣)

Officially two months, lawyer said they get pushback (like extra questions, some extra grilling of applicant) when marginally conforming to regulations like 401.000 Baht for two months and a day. Additionally, when per the above, exactly conforming to the minimum requirement, you can expect an extra stamp in passport to keep money in account until picking up the 1 year stamp (which I did not get)! So lawyer advised, if possible, to get a bit extra in the bank for a bit longer, just to make things that little bit smoother. Mine was there over half a year anyway!

True on all of the above, I had indeed do a drawn map to the condo, all the other paperwork prepared by the agent and signed by me, and a few had to be signed by my wife!

I'd say les paperwork but (a lot) more cash?

New, but I understand it's pretty much the same every year!

I have gotten lots of usefull info here, so I wil (hopefully) give some actual experience back. Just received my "under consideration" stamp, so I will list which documents are needed. Do note I went with an agent (not one of those visa agents, but an immigration lawyer at the law office I also use to do all my company work and accounting). A. Documents needed from me 1. Original passport (with visa stamp or the print-out of the E-visa) 2. Scanned TDAC 3. Three (3) photos of applicant size 4x6 cm. only look straight, no hat and sunglasses updated not more than six months (white background) 4. Scanned update receipt of Residency Notification (TM.30) 5. Original marriage certificate ( Kor.Ror.3 ) 6. Original family registration ( Kor.Ror. 2 ) 7. Certified family registration (Kor.Ror.2) by District Office (version update as of 2025) with the original receipt of certification, valid for 1 month from the issuance date If you need our assistance, we will be able to assist you by requesting a certification of those documents at the District Office. Our service fees will be at 2,500 (+ VAT) 8. Original lease condo agreement, housbook of the condo, housebook of the owner and ID card of the owner (copies of course, no originals of those needed). 9. Scan photos with the family (Two actions per each item, the applicant and his wife must be in every photo): The applicant and family in front of your room number (condo) The applicant and family in the dining room, kitchen, and bedroom etc. 10. Original bank book; showing no less than 400,000 Baht in your personal bank account for at least three months prior to the visa application date. 11. Bank Statement covering the past 1 year (valid for 7 days from issuance) 12. Confirmation Letter (to confirm your account balance) from the bank (valid for 7 days from issuance) 13. Update bank book on the visa submission date. B: Documents needed from Wife 1. Original household registration’s spouse 2. Original spouse I.D. card 3. Original surname change certificate (Form Chor.5) - if any 4. Original certificate of Title name change - if any From all of the above the lawyer took all neccesery copies for us. Being the inquisitive bloke I am I asked why 3 months of funds seasoning, they just use that to avoid additional questions of the IO regarding for example using money from visa agent. Legally indeed 2 months. Another thing I don't recall seeing here on the forum, is the receipt from the money you pay to get the updated KhorRor2 (was 20 Baht in my case at Laksi district office). Above is what I supplied to the lawyer, as I've read here there also should be a wittness or something, possibly the lawyer was the wittness without me knowing about it, she had a fully prepared file of maybe 50 to 100 pages thick, of which I had to sign each and every page. Didn't read them all, the cramp in my hand was bad enough 😉 Me nor my wife actually spoke to the immigration officer, we were only called to the desk as he wanted to take a picture of us (with that webcam thingy they have), together and both holding our marriage certificate up (the KorRor3). We had no que number, our lawyer waited for us at the entrance and walked us in straight to one of the L1 desks where an immigration officer was waiting for us. Sat there maybe 15 minutes (and did that photo thing with the KorRor3) and received my passport back with the day to come back (15 January), and already one of those 90 day report notification slips stating I will have to my first one on the 24th of March. Most annoying thing was to get my bankbook updated on the day itself, apparently the magnetic strip is damaged on mine so can only do it at the counter. So had to que up at Kasikorn's Phak kret branch (one of the closest to immigration after they closed their Chaeng Wattana Branch), after taking some money from the ATM to make sure there was an entry of dat exact day. Actually good timing as well, I expect to have to take a short trip home and expected to need another re-entry, but the day I have to go back lines up exactly with my current allowed until day, so can use the current re-entry (multiple)! Not sure if that's just lucky, or the officer took that in account (it's exactly 3 weeks, something I hear is kind of standard when not too busy), as I had my lawyer tell him that I would likely need to go out of Thailand for a few days!

They don't care (nor wouldn't know I think) where your spouse is! I have entered Thailand on a fresh non-O spouse visa while she remained at home in Europe, no issues whatsoever! Was pretty recently as in a few months ago. 30 days before departure schould be OK I guess, most of my E-visa's were issued within a week or 2, one time it took 3 weeks. Can't ever recall having glitches with the submitting the application, apart from one time when de website was totally non-responsive, tried the day after and all went smooth.

With my wife, but she uses the automatic gates for Thai people, so the officer stamping me in wouldn't know!

I too did, probably unnecesary, Non-O marriage visa's. Same reason, opened a bank account, and additionally with all the current scrutiny on frequent VE travel I felt my stays were a bit more legitimate. This year alone 7 trips, albeit always between home country and Thailand, and always several weeks at home country before coming back, and less then 150 days total in-country, so VE should not have given issues. Now applied for the 1 year extension, followed by multiple re-entry, gives me more peace of mind and no more e-visa's needed. With the current E-visa system, the application is not mucht hassle anyway, just always need to show equivalent of 400K Baht or 40K Baht/month, which I both have. The 80€ application fee didn't bother me that much! The old way of having to go to embassy/consular office would probably have made me think twice! And as a little bonus, to me at least, it seems the immigration officers at Suvanabhumi seemed more "courteous", to even more "friendly", when coming in on the visa, as opposed to when I entered on Visa Exempt. Might also have been lucky with the officers on duty, or my unresistable charm has improved recently😁😁 And yes, although not strictly needed until you apply for your extension, having a local bank does come in handy, able to do al sorts of payments (unfortunately including tax), top up pre-paid simcards, paying with QR codes in many places, getting a bit more out of your foreign money as avoiding 250 Baht ATM usages. Just makes life that little bit easier. So, needed, nope, but if it makes you feel more comforteable and you don't mind the extra 80€ (or equivalent in your currency), I'd say go for it!