jphasia

My initial question was if it was mandatory to transfer the extension and re-entry permit to the new passport or not necessary. As mentioned above, i was always on 1 year non O multiple and because my frequent travels, I was changing passport mostly every year. Example, prior to working in Vietnam, I spent 7 years in Myanmar with weekly trip to Thailand. I was always carrying 2 passports to show at the airport: the one full with the visa + the new passport attached on which they were stamping the entry and exit. I was wondering if it could the same with a 1 year extension. I understand it is based on the replies. In this case, I will simply keep the 2 passports until the new extension. I am now 4 pages only left in passport. I will then start the process or getting a new passport and then carry 2 passports until June 2024. This is not an issue for me. Even better as I don't have much time to go to immigration.

Yes, I know that. I am banking with 4 Thai banks and everytime I renew my passport, I am updating the banks. Same for the Thai driving licenses. My question was related to the 1 year extension and multi re-entry permit as this is first I am on extension. For years, I was on Non O 1 year multiple entries based on my son but this year, i went to the Non O retirement + 1 year extensiob as I am over 50 and my son is 24. The retirement option was more simple.

Thanks, clear. Yes for Vietnam, not sure how it will work but I will find out with my HR. The TRC card is link to the passport number so they might want to re-issue a card with the new passport number.

Hello, I currently have a 1 year extension based on retirement valid until June 2024. I also have a Vietnam TRC ( Temp Residence Certificate) link to my passport. I am travelling a lot (especially between Thailand and Vietnam) and my passport has only few pages left. My passport is valid until 2025 and I can easily get it replace in the French Embassy (either Bangkok or HCMC). I know the Embassy will give me back the full passport after getting a new one (as the understand I have valid visa on it) but how will it work for the Thai extension? Will i need to get the extension transfer to the new passport or will I just show the 2 passports when travelling? Thanks

Ok. So as I reduced the balance on the MTD less than 2M but higher than 100,000b , i will get 0.9%. Not much but better than nothing... It was easy to open the EZ account because I already have a standard saving account in SCB for years. Will try UOB too. Not sure also about what I have seen in the news, it was about difficulties of the banks to get the loans repaid by the clients (as the economy is low).

I followed your advice from another thread when you mentioned about SCB EZ account. As I already have a Krungsri MTD with over the max 1M on it so with less interest (0.5 instead of 0.9). I went to my SCB branch, open an EZ account and drop 2M on it, which is the maximum for the 1.5%. As I mentioned in the other thread, I am not good at investment but lucky enough to generate a good amount of cash flow every month. Another question: do you see a real risk to keep such amount in the bank as it's look like the Thai banks seems in trouble now (I read that on the news) and protection from DPA is only 1M per bank? I might follow your advise again and open another account in UOB. I am also considering buying some gold which i believe is secure investment.

Yes but spend on what? Real estates? Gold? I am really bad on investment.

Thanks for that. I will see first with SCB to drop 1 million at 1.5% as I have a saving account with them.

This is interesting. I also have a MTD account and notice that. However, what would you advise if you have more that 2M to store in the bank? At the moment, I have more than 2M in my MTD account. Same as you, the bank manager advise me to reach 5M to get the privilege....but yes, I don't see the interest of that too. I have several account in Thailand in different banks. So I thinking to move the over 2M to Bangkok bank, SCB...but the interest will be still less than 0.9%. Just to be clear, I am not arguing here. I am only not very good at where to store my extra cash, so I am open to advises. I was in Krungsri bank last week and asked them advises. Fixed deposit...but they only told me that MTD is the best interest so far?

It was open on 1st May. It will be closed Thursday and Friday

For those who might be interested: Following my posts above, i went to the immigration office (Phuket) alone yesterday (1st May) and submitted my application for 1 year extension based on retirement (despite what the agent told me) and i has been approved today. I collected back my passport today with an extension until 7 June 2024 (so from the end of the 90 days Non O validity). I did a the same time a multi re-entry permit. The extension process took 15 minutes. It cost me 1,900b (extension) + 3,800b (multi re-entry).

Thanks. That also what i inderstood. Child must be under 20 years old. I don't understand why the Hanoi Embassy wrote that in my visa.

Thanks. But what will be the requirements for the extension based on child? About Hanoi, the reason is because i work in Vietnam and coming back to Thailand mosly the weekend. So it was not convenient to get the Non O from the visa exempt due to short time in Thailand.

Based on my post above, I managed to get a 90 days Non O from the Hanoi embassy. My target now is to go for the 1 year extension based on retirement. The 90 days Non O will expired on 7 June so I am planning to proceed the extension next week. As mentioned earlier, I have all requirements for an extension based on retirement (55 years old, 800k in the bank...). I have contacted an agent to support me for the extension application (as also stated, I have all requirements however, I am lazy to deal with immigration...). The agent quoted me 17,000b including multi re-entry permit. I believe it is fair. Again, don't tell that i could save money...doing it alone as I have all the requirements. This is my choice. However, the agent found out that it is written by hand in Thai on my Non O "visiting Thai child" and the name of my son. He told then that it might not be possible in this case to apply for an extension based on retirement? Is it correct? My point here is yes, I have a 24 years old Thai son. He is also the owner (on the blue book) of the house where we are living together. What would be the issue if I visit my son, live with him but also have the requirements for retirement extension. What they might ask me more in this case?

Yes, I am with Aetna Thailand since 1999 (Bupa that time). I had very few health issues and never any problem when claim. As said, hospital is quickly checking approval before admission and approval for the exit. You sign some papers and they take care the bills

Yes agreed. But all depend on your tolerance to take the risk.

Maybe but I doubt. Only to open an account, they are very strict on paperwork.

I have a fixed term deposit account in Vietnam. But: you need to be "resident" in Vietnam. By "resident" I mean having a TRC (Temp Residence Card) that you obtain only if you have a work permit or married to local. The fixed term deposit are in VND only and maximum duration can be only the validity of your TRC. For example, my TRC is 2 years so the maximum duration is 2 years for me. You can choose duation from 3 months at 5% rate, 6 months 8.5% and up 12 months 9%. The minimim deposit is 1 BVND (appr. 40 KUSD). No taxations on the interest. These are the conditions from the bank I am using (Standard Chartered). I am not sure about the other banks. The main thing is that the money in and out (especially out the country) is strictly controlled but as long as you have evidences of the incomes you are fine. I think the risk is the same as other countries. I took the risk because I am working in Vietnam, having my salary paid here in USD (I have accounts both in USD and VND). I am using Standard Chartered bank which is international bank anf easy to transfer money abroad having work permit and TRC here. As I live in Thailand (in Vietnam for work only), it is better for me to make my incomes and saving generating interest here than in Thailand where interest rates are really low.

Just for the record, my request for the Non O application was based on retirement. However, when I called the Embassy before the appointment to enquire the supoorting documents required, explainig that I am 55 years old, working in Vietnam but travelling to Thailand. They first told me apply for a tourist visa...but asked me why i was travelling so much to Thailand...I said that my family was Thai. They said you can apply for marriage Non O... i said I am not married but have a 24 years old Thai son. They asked to provide copy of house blue book and a letter from my son certifying that we are living together with a copy of his Thai ID card... I just found out that on the Non O that I got, it is written by hand in Thai " visiting Thai child" with the name of my son written. I will still apply for the one year extension based on retirement when i will be in Thailand

For the car, yes the 100b per day is still the same. I park my car there very often, at the international terminal as it is covered and secured. For the motorbike, i did it once. Free parking at the domestic terminal. There is a security guard. However, i am not sure how safe it is. I am also considering to leave my motorbile there sometime as I travelling a lot but it's brand new bike so I am worry that it will be gone when i return

Just an update for whom are interested. As mentioned above, i booked an appointment in the Thai consulate at HCM for 20 March (the earliest available). However, last week I checked Hanoi consulate and got an appointment for last Monday 20 Feb. I then came to Hanoi last Monday (I have an office there as well) and applied for the Non O based on retirement. They are not really friendly and wheb I explained my situation, why I travelling a lot between Vietnam and Thailand, they asked me: -6 months bank statements -A letter from my son stating that we are leaving together and he support me. - copy of the house blue book - copy of my VN residence card (TRC). As I had all with me, I applied. They told me it will take 3 full working days. Cost is 80 USD. Yesterday, I got an email from the consulate informing me that the visa was ready. I will collect it this morning. So, the Non O is settle now. Next step will be the 1 year extension in Thailand. I was told that i need to wait at least 45 days before applying for the extension. On my next trip to Thailand, I will apply for the re-entry permit before coming back to VN.

Yes that's why in my latest post, I mentioned that i give up the idea of getting Non O + extension during my short stay next month (2 weeks) and i will proceed with Non O first in Thai consulate in Vietnam, get a re-entry permit and proceed the extension later during the 90 days (I think it is minimum 15 days before the expiration of the Non O). However, I was told few times that the extension can be done the same day or maybe the next day.

Ah ok. Actually not really an issue for me as I keep my insurance on yearly basis since 1999. I am with Aetna Thailand with a 5MTHB policy. I am not consodering to drop this insurance anytime soon

Just for my understanding, why stay away from O-A?

Thanks. I got that but they mention only Non O for accompanying thai spouse and family member. I don't see specifically for retirement. I guess it would be basically the same except marriage certificate. I am not married (divorced). My son is 24 years old now. I always have with a copy of his Thai birth certificate, his Thai ID card, copy of the house blue book (my son is the official owner of the house where we live). As mention earlier, I am not about the finance evidences required but i will have 6 months bank statements + letter from Thai bank and additionally 6 months bank statements from Vietnam account where my salary is paid (in USD)