BritTim

Definitely, ignore the reminder. Usually, you should be able to do the address report at the correct time, but the system is fragile so no guarantees. Worst case, you might need to go in person.

The Thai embassy is a terrible source of information on anything other than the services they directly provide themselves. If you want a reasonably reliable guide on the rules enforced by your airline, use the IATA Travel Centre guide to travellers. Note, however, that the airline supervisor may relax rules under some circumstances.

Easiest, I think, will be two visa exemptions with a week outside Thailand, perhaps somewhere like Vietnam. It is possible that your parents might face questioning on the second entry, but I do not foresee any major drama as they will only have spent 58 days or so in Thailand prior to the second visit.

The OP is not eligible for a visa on arrival; he is eligible for a visa exemption (i.e. entering without a visa). Entering without a visa is often called a visa on arrival, but that is a misunderstanding. They are completely different. To the OP: your airline may or may not allow you to board your flight without an onward flight ticket when you are not in possession of a Thai visa. If you have future flight reservation on the same airline, perhaps to return from Vietnam to your home country, the airline supervisor will commonly waive the onward flight requirement, but you should be prepared for a possible need to book a flight (or rental ticket as suggested by DrJack) at short notice at the airport.

I have decided to close this thread as I do not think anything other than bickering is likely to be added. The Police Chief is an influential voice when changes to Immigration law are under consideration. He has no power to unilaterally change it. CLOSED

The Police Order summarises the rules. However, things like requirements for extensions must, at a minimum, be endorsed by the Minister, and often require cabinet approval. The Police Chief, by law, is only allowed to implement Immigration law. He cannot create it.

This stale thread is now closed. It is better not to resuscitate old threads that may contain out of date information, even if you think you have something extra to add. CLOSED

Note that you can save money by having clean, undamaged US$ for the Laos visa (US$40 = approx. 1,400 baht).

Note for those who are unaware: the KR2 and KR22 are different. If you married in Thailand, you will get a KR2 which confirms that you are still married. If you married abroad, but subsequently registered your marriage in Thailand, you only get a KR22. This does not guarantee that you are not divorced, but Immigration tend to accept it.

Depending on your nationality and current location, you can probably get a single entry tourist visa using the e-visa system (https://www.thaievisa.go.th/). This gives you a 60-day permission to stay that you can extend by a further 30 days at the local immigration office.

This is not a bad idea. If changes are made that do not include grandfathering, transition rules are going to be complicated.

If you entered visa exempt, you need to use Form TM87. If you entered with a tourist visa, use Form TM86.

If you are staying in a hotel, you do not need to submit the TM30 yourself. It is only needed when staying in private accommodation.

No, but (i) if you do not renew your passport before you apply for a new extension in July 2024, it will have an expiry date of 22 Nov 2024; and (ii) it would be prudent in any case to ensure that a passport renewal is completed by about April 2024 if you might want to travel after then.

He would receive the regular one-year extension. However, even with a re-entry permit, it might be difficult to travel once the passport has less than six months remaining validity. This is mainly because of the immigration rules of other countries, and sometimes because of airline policy.

Just the bank book is sufficient. It is strongly recommended that you conform with the requirements specified in https://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/en/page/tourist-visa-2?menu=63bcd875e8b39d00fd0e7513. They will be strictly applied if Vientiane views you as a long stay tourist.

No. Immigration at the airport will only check the insurance.

Just a bank book will suffice. If your history as a tourist in Thailand is very limited, they might relax some of the requirements, but I strongly recommend complying. A planned itinerary and hotel bookings (which you can cancel later) are not that onerous to provide.

You do not provide much to go on, but it might possibly be a weekend technical glitch. Immigration's IT systems are pretty fragile.

As long he can show an insurance policy acceptable to Immigration at the airport, and the visa's expiry date has not been reached, he will be stamped in for a year. If he wants to leave Thailand and return after the expiry date of the visa, he should ensure he has a re-entry permit to keep his permission to stay intact.

I still fail to understand his desire to travel regularly. However, with one-year extensions from Immigration in Thailand, he still has the option of traveling, but needs to get re-entry permits to protect his extended permission to stay. If he wants to travel frequently, he can get a multiple re-entry permit at the same time as the annual extensions from Immigration in Thailand.

It is correct that a multiple entry Non O visa must be applied for outside Thailand. However, I cannot understand why someone who has difficulty traveling would want to subject themselves to regular border bounces. Opening a Thai bank account is much harder than it used to be, but can be achieved (if necessary, with the help of an agent). For older people who would prefer to avoid international travel, getting a single entry Non O visa at Immigration, followed by one-year extensions will usually be best. If there are difficulties with the visa application and extension process in Thailand, there are agents who can assist.

He will not be able to return later for a multiple entry Non O in Vientiane. It would be possible in Savannakhet. Both in Vientiane and Savannakhet, if walking is a problem for him, best will be to cross in a wheelchair with a companion. To cross to Vientiane most easily, get a Lao e-visa in advance, and use the international bus. Better yet, would be to do the border bounce by air. He will need to attend the consulate in Savannakhet when applying for the visa. What is the reason for not applying for the Non O visa and extension at Immigration in Thailand? I hope it is understood that financial proof will still be needed when applying for a Non O visa on that basis in Savannakhet.

The main category of people over age 50 who do not work in Thailand is those who are retired. However, there is no requirement (with one exception that I explain below) for you to be retired to receive that Non O visa. [That is how it differs from a Non O based on marriage which does require that you are married.] The exception (which may still exist) is that the Thai embassy in the UK used to issue a multiple entry Non O visa to anyone in receipt of a UK state pension (of any amount).

The days when an agent could get you a tourist visa that you cannot get yourself are over. You do not state your immigration history. Under all but the most extreme circumstances, you should be able to get a single entry tourist visa in Vientiane. You need an appointment (https://thaivisavientiane.com/) and should conform, scrupulously with the requirements (https://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/en/page/tourist-visa-2?menu=63bcd875e8b39d00fd0e7513) If you want to use an agent (in spite of the fact that they cannot do anything special) there are visa run companies in Bangkok and Udon Thani who liaise with locals in Vientiane. You are basically paying money for assistance with transport.