IgboChief

You are pretty much missing the point I think: The Visa Sticker says "valid until" 19-February and am leaving on 17th. Which makes it reasonable to apply for Extension before the 17th. They still denied me that, pointing out that the visa based on my arrival is ending on 28th April only (but without the implied ME Permit). So they implicitly extend the ME Visa, but not the ME permission and force me to do an extra ME permission.

I am just 48 years old and travel every 2-3 weeks or so. However, the next phone call can change everything. So ME Permit is mandatory. And yes, I was referring to the change regarding Laos/Savannaketh where the Visa was issued next day.

Greetings. As least for me, the Visa Situation has become a lot worse: I am holding a Non-O from Savannaketh "valid until" 19-Feb-2025 and I entered Thailand on 28-Jan-2025 and got a stamp until 28-April-2025. Today, at the Immigration I was told that I can't do an Extension yet because "too early". All I could get was a Multiple Re-Entry permit (after spending half day at the Amphur for a a Khor Ror 22 and another 1 hour at the bank for a bank statement). Then I am expected to come back in April, applying for extension, would be put under 8 weeks consideration -- for which one I have to do another Multi RE Permit. Then, when finally getting the stamp I will have to do another Multi RE Permit. So effectively, I will have to pay for 3 ME R-Permits and have to come to the local Immigration 3 times and I am losing 3 passport pages for all those stamps. This is very frustrating honestly compared to the ease and simplicity of getting the Visa at Savannaketh before. Anyone in a similar situation? How do you guys deal with the change in Visa policy?

Again, I am in the same situation: driving license expired 3 years ago and I did not have time or nerve to renew. Got stopped for speeding a few times around Chiang Mai, "slapped" with a massive 500 THB fine each time -- paid 1000 THB with a big grin just because I can and drove off. It's one of the things you can easily ignore here. Their license is worth nothing.

So true and a totally underrated comment. Cheers!

Yepp, everyone knows me at the office, they now my name and when my daughter was born and when my daughter left to Europe. I know when they got their kids and their houses. Still, every single year they want to see my neighbor to confirm we are married and they pretend they have never seen me before for the period of the visa application. Its hilarious.

You can make a separate Multi Re-Entry permit and travel during this "under consideration period", that's not the problem. The real problem is that you must be back around the week when your "under consideration" ends. I am working on projects with volatile schedules and this is a really unfortunate requirement for me.

Looks like right now, I will do "Extension of Stay" again -- which is a pain. I won't have much time this year for chartering new teritory, but next year I may opt for LTR/Digital Nomad. (I travel in/out very frequently.)

Same for me in Udon, that's why I always went the Savannaketh route. I have been able to shorten this period to 48 hours once, when it was necessary. 10k THB consultancy fee.

Greetings! I have been a long time Non-O ME Savannaketh enjoyer simply because I got my visa there within 2 days and no neighbors or house visits needed. Although I reckon that this won't work anymore in February 2025? What are my options now? I have the seasoned funds and all papers but I can't afford the usual 6 weeks "under consideration" period and also bringing wife and neighbors to immigration is an inconvenience. (I travel very frequently and my schedule is volatile.) Since I hold residence permit and companies in other countries, would "Digital Nomad" be a stable option (with the same reliability as a Non-O ME)? Thank you upfront for kind advise and guidance, cheers!

Kudos and compliments to the captain who stabilized the plane and landed it safely! Kudos and compliments to the crew, who took injuries and still had to manage the cabin and the guests! Having Platinum status on One World, I say: you are all (my) heroes!

Well, once you go black you never come back! And especially when you get older, you will need/want something "stronger". Try it and you will understand...

All 3 items depend on your Changwat and Immigration office. I know well, what Udon Thani requires. I am happy for you, if yours is more supportive than mine. But I am also happy that the Savankhet options exists.

The money really does not matter. Extension money needs to be seasoned and you need a "Banking Letter", at Savankhet only an Electronic statement of an current account. Extension needs Wife and neighbor to be present, at Savanakhet only signed copies of Tabien Ban and ID card. Extension puts you 6-8 weeks under consideration, at Savanakeht you get everything ready next day. Extension gets you 365 days, at Savanakhet you get 365 + 90 days when timing it well and you don't need 90 reports and rubbish when you leave the country often (as I do). Extension is quiet unfriendly and nerve wrecking, Savanakhet staff was always neutral/fast/nice. Extension can insist in visiting your house. At Savanakhet you visit their house! (Just kidding.) So for frequent travelers its the much easier option and I am happy it exists.

In my case they accepted an electronic BKK Bank Current account statement, 5 days old and showing the funds for less than 1 month. (I had a seasoned fix deposit too with banking letter, but they had no interest in that.)

Quick heads up, I applied today (Tuesday) for 1 year Non-O Multiple Entry and its was painless and smooth. The highlights: - The electronic bank statement of my Bangkok Bank current account was sufficient. They did not check the original bank book and they did not want the Siam Commercial's seasoned fixed deposit with banking letter. Also, that statement was value date 5 days earlier and it did not matter. So the funds requirement seems to be interpreted leniently. - They did not check any original documents at all, just signed copies. They took the fresh KorRor 22 but did not ask for the original Marriage Certificate (which was unusual and probably just an oversight?) I still advise to have all original documents ready and also to bring a recent KorRor 2 or 22 (just in case). - Lao Visa on arrival is now 40 USD or 1,800 THB (which is a scam, even Indonesia asks for 30 USD only.) - Savanaketh is dead as Dodo, all shops closed and all people left. It was always a quiet place, but now its a graveyard. We spoke with some old people about it and they pointed out that everyone left to Bangkok or to a new area close to the river. I visited that place but it has nothing. Economy did not do nice to that place since 2019 which is sad. I asked some young lads what they are doing Fridays or Saturday nights; response: "len torasap" (playing on the mobile phone). - Very few people applying for the Visa on a Tuesday. Arriving early is useless and the sun was very hot. Better arrive only 9:30-10:00 AM as the Embassy is deserted after the first rush. Bring an umbrella and apply sunscreen as you will stand outside under the sun for 1:30 hours when arriving 8:00. Cheers and good luck!

Thank you very much for this clarification, which I find valuable. Can save an in-successful 500km joyride. I fully agree with you: Savannaketh is still a great option and nothing much changed, except adding the bank book to the list of documents. (I always had it with me, just in case. It felt right.)

Bonus: - you are not put under consideration and have to go a second time for the final visa stamp - you do not need to bring neighbors or wives - in the morning their baguettes are great

Big thank you for your report. One question please: Only bank book or also any supporting letter from the bank? And when was the Bank Book updated, I assume the evening before application? Second question: Fix term deposit or Saving/Current Account? Cheers!

I seriously doubts that. ID is not Thailand, they stick quite strictly to the rules especially in banking. From https://ownpropertyabroad.com/indonesia/bali/open-bank-account-in-bali/: This was only the first link I found.

Btw, Revolut just offered (me) 5% p.a. for a GBP deposit account. This may be a much more interesting alternative.

Traveling to ID often and earning money there: You can't unless you can show residence permit and tax certificate. Different rules may apply when you fall into a high asset category. Secondly, you shouldn't. Interest Rates reflect the Issuer Risk as well as the FX Risk. Last but not least you may find it difficult to repatriate your money.

15 years of marriage was more expensive although priceless when having kids.

He is no saint and never pretended to be, just a populist serving his own interest. However, he understood what Democracy means and that there are million of people, not just a few. And that alone made him better than all his peers.

There is the only one reason that counts: From all the crooks posing as politicians here, he was the one who got elected -- twice. And would be elected a third time possibly. And since Trump/Putin/Johnson/Bolsaro/Buhari "crook" has a positive connotation. After him there were only clowns.