Keith5588

Hi,
I am male, British, age 63 and live in Norwich, England, UK. I finished working 7 years ago.
I came to Khon Kaen just over a year ago and stayed for 2 months.
I am in Khon Kaen now, staying for a total of 4 months this time.
This forum has been very helpful to me e.g. before coming this time I read thoroughly about the 2 different tourist visas. 
I have now met a Thai lady I really like. I have to return to the UK later this month, I intend to let my house and return to live here in Thailand at least for 1 year and hopefully longer if my relationship goes well.

I have read a little and believe I need to apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa  “O-A” (Long Stay) at the Thai Embassy in London.

I would be grateful for comments and advice on below.
I have over £25,000 in savings with Nationwide and so I guess after getting a statement from Nationwide that would satisfy the financial requirement. 
I don't intend to work in Thailand.
Concerning the medical certificate. Do I go to my local doctor's surgery to obtain this?
Concerning the statement of no criminal record. I have no idea where to go for this? My local police station?

Assuming I successfully obtain the Non-Immigrant Visa  “O-A” and return to Thailand. My thoughts are that I would like to open a Thai bank account mainly for security and peace of mind as I have no family now in the UK and would rather not rely on friends if I need help. I am not sure but I probably will not take out medical insurance. My insurance would be a few thousand pounds in a Thai bank.
Thanks in advance
Keith

elviajero - Thank you so much and so quick.  I will now post it Special delivery tomorrow morning with confidence.

Thanks again

Keith

Sorry to have to ask another question.

With all your help I now intend to apply by post to the Thai Embassy in London for a SETV. Then decide after about 50 days in Thailand whether to  apply for a 30 day extension followed by leaving Thailand and returning with a visa exemption or to leave and apply for another SETV.

I have already booked my return flight to Bangkok and will be returning to the UK 111 days after leaving.

My question is concerning the Visa Application form where it says "Duration of Proposed stay"

If I enter 111 days to me it seems odd I am applying for a 60 day SETV

Or do I put down 55 days as it is most likely I will visit Laos after 55 days to obtain another SETV.

Oh dear .... please help

Thanks

Keith

Fithman – Thank you for the information and advice.

Buckbee – Thank you as well. After reading your good advice I will now aim to obtain another SETV.

IMA_FARANG – Thank you also. It is easy to misunderstand as the words are very similar but I did state a 30 day extension (to my SETV that I obtain before travelling) and  not 30 day visa exemption.  Sorry for the confusion. I was also aware what you wrote about not applying for any visa before travelling with the aim to get a 30 day visa exemption on arrival I think if you do not have proof of travel out of Thailand the Thai Authorities could tell the Airline to take you back at their cost. I think this is why some Airlines check for the onward travel.

Elviajero – I haven’t been to Nong Kai or Mukdahan ….. I think I will aim to go to Mukdahan as the Thai lady I am meeting has a sister living near Mukdahan. Thank you for explaining the “o” requirement.

I read many of your posts in the METV thread, you are so very very knowledgeable and very thorough.

KhunBENQ – Thank you for explaining and suggestions especially about the Laos visa

Steve187 & Suradit69 - Thanks

I think I now understand and can decide while there whether to apply for an extension or to travel and apply for a second SETV.

Thanks all, this is a great forum!

Hi, I live in the UK but not close to a Thai consulate and so will very soon be applying by post to the Thai Embassy in London for my Thai visa. I have just booked my flights and will be in Thailand starting early Dec for just less than 4 months (exactly 111 days).  I am 63 years old and "self retired" from work a bit early as I have enough savings and a small personal pension.

I have just read through the post on METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa) ....... yes the whole 75 pages!  I gained some good information as some of you are very knowledgeable. 

I have decided to apply for the SETV (Single Entry Tourist Visa) because it required very little documentation, lasts 60 days and only costs £25.  While in Thailand I would need to apply for a 30 day extension.  Then I would need to leave Thailand to visit a nearby country, then on returning to Thailand get a Tourist Visa Exemption that lasts for up to 30 days. 

My questions are:-

1) Can I obtain the 30 day extension when I first arrive at Bangkok Suvarnabhum Airport. I will have a few hours spare between arriving and my flight to Khon Kaen.

If I can I would be most grateful for some details of where in the Airport I would need to go to obtain the extension.

2) A friend who lives in France (who I met in Thailand last year) is also going back to Thailand for about 4 months. He is maybe a couple of years older than myself. He said he was going to apply for an "O" visa but is not 100% sure.  I don't think he has travelled to Thailand much (the same as myself).

Could I apply for a non-immigrant type "O" visa. From what i just read on the London Thai Embassy web site it would be about the same overall cost and no need to apply for the 30 day extension.

Thanks in advance for any information

Keith