keysersoze276

Not quite correct. Your old passport is invalid the day they physically cancel it. US embassy Bangkok adivised me today to use my current passport to get a new visa, then mail it to them so they can cancel it and send it back along with the new one. They haven’t responded to my second inquiry asking if I can do this in person before I travel. But they were quite accommodating letting me pick up my current (old) passport without an appointment. Under normal circumstances, the embassy would cancel the old one when the new one arrives and is ready to be sent or picked up.

I sent mine on April 17th. You can check the status on travel.state.gov, but mine didn’t show up as being processed for over a month. It was sent from USA on May 26th, but they said it was expected to arrive on June 29th, I believe. They may have automatically expedited it because now it has arrived just before my extension expires.

Thanks so much! @BritTim. I am happy you mentioned that so I will be sure to arrive extra early at 6:00am. On another thread, you mentioned they may require proof of 20,000 in a Thai bank. Is cash in hand just as well or do I need to go to a bank the day before and get an official bank statement? Multiple entry non o (marriage)

Oh, I should have mentioned I am getting a multiple entry. Will definitely bring both passports if I am able to get the new one. Maybe the embassy will let me pick it up in person. Kinda worried about any possible delays or unexpected events with the mail. @BritTim advised me I could get a multi-entry non O marriage and get 60 day extensions, due to a financial hiccup with the 400k in the bank.

Thanks so much. Yes, I am getting a new non-o crossing by land in Savannakhet. If I can't get the new passport in time, do you know if I need to take it right away to the immigration office or if I can just do it when I go to apply for an extension?

Right now I am on a visa exempt extension. Have you done it on an extension before just using both passports?

Thanks. The last time I did it was Mae Sai/Tachilek. UJ talked me through it, but I don't remember if there were any required docs...it was years ago. This time will be Mukdahan/Savannakhet

Really? I remember just taking both passports to do a border crossing and immigration at the border did it. Things could have changed since then though. Yeah, both the embassy and the immigration office are very far from me and from each other. It's not possible to do this at the border with both passports and I have to go to an immigration office?

They actually don't issue the letters anymore, but probably the same process. Notice: From April 10th 2023, the U.S. Mission in Thailand will no longer provide a linkage letter with newly issued passports. You may present the cancelled and current passport to the Thai Immigration Bureau or the nearest regional immigration office in other provinces to have your Thai visa transferred to your new passport.

Hi all! I just got an email from the US embassy in Bangkok. "Your new passport book is ready to be mailed within the next two working days. Please send us your current passport for cancellation to U.S. Embassy Bangkok". I am traveling by bus to Savannakhet on June 6th (arriving June 7th) to get a Non O based on marriage. Due to long waits for new US passports, it was scheduled to arrive long after my visa expires and the embassy allowed me to pick up my old passport and told me to use it for my new visa. Now the new passport has arrived early. I will contact the embassy to see if it is definitely possible or get the new passport before I travel. My current passport is still valid, just running low on pages. If I am able to get my new passport before I travel, is that better? If not, and I get a new visa in my current passport and then send it in to be cancelled, what happens next? Do I have to go to immigration to transfer the visa or just take my new passport next time I travel?

That's such good news! Thanks so much! My wife and I were stuck out of Thailand on vacation when COVID struck. 1.5 years paying for 2 condos in different countries, one which was unoccupied, but full of our belongings (Thailand 1.5 years). Crazy COVID times and a surgery, two more to go. She lost her job and mine went on the decline until the company closed without warning a bit over a month ago.. So a big thanks to you because I have never run this gauntlet and I was super worried. Just trying to do things the best and proper way. Appreciate your info! When it rains it pours! Severe anxiety and insomnia for me. Life goes on and look forward to better days! I think I will sleep like a baby tonight. xoxo from my lovely wife and a bear hug from me!! I'll be back on my feet in no time.

Thanks. I was under the impression they would want to see cash in hand. A same day bank statement (from the bank) would be impossible due to the timing. I could have 20k in the bank and 20k in hand, but not a same day bank statement, stamped from the bank. If I get the non O, can I just cross a border every 90 days until I get back on my feet?

Thanks! So to clarify, I can get that in Savannakhet without bank statements, correct? And you said “visa runs”. Does that mean I would have to obtain a new ME non O every 90 days, or is it possible to do border bounces every 90 days for a year (just exiting and entering on the ME non-O)? Not 50+ for a retirement visa.

Well, I have been here since April 2020 on a mix of COVID-19 extensions, a Non-O based on marriage and the extensions at immigration, Then a couple 45 day visa exempt entries (both by air). I am considering my options to get a SETV or a non o based on marriage in Savannakhet or Vientiane. I understand that Vientiane requires an appointment and checked the website and there are appointments available. I have read some mixed stories about Savannakhet. An important note- I do not have the 400,000 in the bank and won't have it for an extension. Fell on hard times coupled with a surgery. With that said, is it possible to still get a non-o based on marriage and just exit and enter on it every 90 days instead of going to immigration with the funds to get the 1 year extension? Any suggestions for the best plan? TIA

I disagree with most of the comments. US didn’t sell Thailand F-35 jets mainly because the Thai government has been getting closer to China. This is like running out of ammo and taking off a bullet proof vest and attacking the enemy with a knife. suicide.

Captain Obvious, I presume?

They don't. They keep it at the embassy, uncanceled. I was detained by police in BKK for not having a passport and called the embassy in BKK (which won't accept any calls apart from emergency services). They allowed me to pick up my current passport, not cancelled. I sent it by mail on April 17th and they the new one is in processing and they do not expect to have it back until after my extension of stay expires on June 9th and I will likely have to use my current passport to do a visa run. I just picked up the current one today. They said when my new one is ready I need to bring my old one in to be physically cancelled, obviously. I also asked where my new one that is being processed is and they didn't know. I called USA and was on hold for 1.5 hours and they said they do it at the embassy that I sent it to if I am overseas. So, I suppose the person on the phone was wrong and it actually is sent to USA, as others have noted. If you need your old passport for travel, I would suggest emailing them explaining your situation and ask if you could come in to pick up your current passport, assuming it is still valid for travel. Perhaps you could even turn in your passport and get it back the same or next day if you had an appointment. You don't NEED to send it by mail. p.s. I went in today at midday in BKK and there was only one other person in the waiting room. Staff was friendly and helpful, but I am not sure what is going on with these long appointment wait times and the push to do it by mail. edit: I just checked the status online and got the following message: The U.S. Department of State has received your application for your passport book on 05/12/2023. We're now reviewing your application and supporting documents. They received it almost a month after sending it.

I probably have much more exciting things, but I would say camping in Khao Yai. My wife and I don’t mind a hike and have went 4 times during the Christmas break. Twice we saw wild elephants. Last time was two Xmas’s ago. Saw a large bull elephant from the road. It was standing on top of a hill about 200 hundred meters from the road. Surely watching guard for a pack of elephants on the other side. Also went on a verrry long hike. The park trails weren’t properly maintained because they had just reopened after being closed for a couple years of COVID regulations. That was a work out. Climbing over dozens and dozens of huge fallen trees. Before our hike, we couldn’t find the entrance to the trail. So we asked the rangers and still barely found it. once on the trail we heard something behind us. It was a monkey just walking behind us until he walked right past us. Then as we followed him/her down the trail it would stop and turn around. As if to say, “Come on! Quit dragging your feet. I am your guide”. Then we heard (couldn’t see but had a video/audio recording) of two black bears about 100 meters away fighting. Another one- Visiting an elephant santuary when we were visiting Chaing Mai. About an hour south in a Songtaew. Cloudy, cold, bumpy ride and light rain all day. All worth it to feed the elephants (sanctuary, they roam free, but come crashing throught the mountains and forest when called). Taking them to the river to throw and rub mud all over them, followed by buckets of water. It was a great experience. Much better than going somewhere to ride these poor majestic creatures.

1. Prayuth defended the electrical cost rise a few months ago, in the cool season. People spoke out and he blew them off. Told the media to <deleted> up, grow small pots of limes to make up for it, etc. 2. I have stayed at many hotels that have old and unmaintained air conditioners that I still sweat at night, therefor leaving the aircon on for 24 hours per day, full blast, still not enough to be comfortable when I come back. 3. My landlord asked me to renew our rental contract and I agreed if they bought an entirely new aircon (inside and out) for out living room/ kitchen area. They agreed and we pay about 1/3 of what we were paying with the very old aircon unit. This resort should clean the filters regularly and replace outdated units. It is simple common sense. If you choose to not keep it clean and updated, expect a hige surge especially in the hot season.

Fake news. Big Joke announced several times that he eliminated all overstayers with a BMW and an iPad. AKA the immigrtin “smart car”. Uet every few days the news reported on 1+year overstayers getting busted in one way or another. I would vote for that guy as the next PM if ir was possible, aside from the fact he used probably 3 sqare km of non biodegradable km every year to show off his “busts”, publicly singled out people of color (Africans) , and a lot of other things. He is a force to be reconed with, howerever and I have become a fan of his.

I agree and appreciate you (amongst a few others) giving sound advice. Keep up the good work Champ! To the OP- notice he said a VIP bus. I wouldn’t make any trip for more than ancouple gours on ansecond class bus. Kick back and relax. Bring some snacks if you need them because they include a warm bottle of water and a bag of terrible, sugary snacks. I usually offer them to anyone sitting near me if I see they are enjoying them.

TAT. Are they a group of the most optimistic people in the worl or just completely full of s**t? I think both. They spend all this time running “campaigns “ to attract tourists, generally various specific nationalities, religions, etc. Why not come up with a theme song? Aerosmith’s “Dream On” would seem to be a good fit.

Another note for those that don’t know. Songkran evolved into the sick disgusting mess it is now. Decades ago they used to put a dab of water on your forehead, represeting your sins. Then flick water on your head/face ti wash away your sins. Not the circus it is today.

Others have pointed out the selling of cheap super soakers (thow away water guns that end up in the Gulf if Thailand). Plus the cheap plastic phone protectors to add to the pollution. Don’t even get me started in the air quality Most of the money I spent when I actually dated to go outside during Songkran was vuying two new phones and several packs of cigarettes, despite not wanting to be slathered in pasted and have buckets of ice water thrown in my face. Plus my clothes usually are so filthy and stink I just throw them out. I hate Singkran.

Anyone know about DHL? I know Thailand Post is closed for Songkran.