CMBob

The Tourist Bureau publicly advocated that the government continue the 45-day exempt entry for the balance of 2023 but there as been nothing in the newspaper that the government/cabinet has even considered that as yet. Until that happens, it's back to 30 days after March 31st.

Rules have indeed changed. In addition to the bank letter you mentioned, it is now required to show a full year's history (apparently so Immigration can verify you kept 800k baht in the bank for 90 days after your last application, 60 days before the current application date, and a minimum of 400k baht all other times during the year). SCB provides a separate statement with copies of bank statements to support this required history. As to whether CM Immigration in fact requires a deposit/withdrawal the same day as the bank letter, I actually don't know....I've just done it the last couple of extensions because other Immigration offices have required it (according to multiple reports) and I've presumed CM Immigration also required it.

Here in CM it's no problem doing the bank paperwork the day before.....have done that for more than dozen years without even a question. I understand it may be allowed up to a week before the date of application but I've always done it the day before. For only the last couple of annual extensions, I've deposited or withdrawn a small amount from the account minutes before getting the bank paperwork as I've understood (from ThaiVisa comments) in recent years it may be a required to show a transaction the same day. Before then, I didn't do the deposit/withdrawal routine and it was never questioned.

I wouldn't really care which bank is involved but, as I said, SCB is easier for me for the annual paperwork so the account stays there. The interest rate is irrelevant to me as it's lousy wherever you park money. And, as I've said before, while the 800k does allow me comply with the annual extension requirements, my primary reason for using the method is so I have adequate funds available in case of personal or medical need (I have medical insurance but may some day be put in the position of having to pay up front).

One nice thing about SCB is one can get the usual bank letter and the annual statement just by showing up and asking (takes 15-20 minutes) so I simply stop at the bank (my original branch, of course) the day before I apply for the annual extension and get them. I was considering moving my 800k account to Bangkok Bank but decided not to solely because of this factor alone.

If OP is talking about the letter one gets to support an annual extension based on retirement, my experience with SCB (Chiangmai) is different.....only the branch where I opened the account eons ago will issue that letter. I've asked at other branches (closer to where I live) a couple of times over the years if they would issue the letter and I was told that I must go back to the branch where I opened the account. It's been a couple of years since I asked so maybe things have changed.

Last approval for the 90-day address reporting was sent to me by CM Immigration at 6:15PM on a Sunday and previously I have received an emailed approval on a Saturday. Am guessing some of them do work over the weekend and/or at least some interns do.

I use the songteaws several times a week, typically going from the Huay Gaew area to the river. With the cost being less than 90 cents, I'm not complaining.

There's the school for the blind sorta between Wat Phra Sing and Suan Dawk Gate and I'd recommend you inquire there.

Would note that, according to a Bangkok Post article yesterday, S. Korea just donated 501,120 doses of Phifer's BA.1 bivalent Covid-19 vaccine (which I believe is the latest update vaccine hopefully more effective against some newer variants) to Thailand. Would be nice to see some of the updated boosters here in CM but I'd guess that's unlikely.

The annual extension is still valid but you'll need to go out to Immigration and get the stamps transferred into your new passport. There's no charge for this. Presuming you've applied for the new passport here in Thailand (can only be done by mail via the Bangkok Embassy.....see the Embassy/Consulate website for how to do that), what you'll need is: (1) Form titled "Transfer Stamp to New Passport Form" (you can get this at CM Immigration - it's CM specific and they did not accept the "Bangkok" one I obtained online); (2) The Embassy letter you'll get with your new passport (you won't get this if you obtain the new passport back in the US); (3) From the old passport, they required from me a copy of every filled-out page, even those with visas/stamps from other countries; (4) From new passport, copy of the entire photo page (and, if applicable, copies of any other page with stamps).

OP should be aware that an overstay of 90 days will result in a 1-year blacklisting (i.e., if OP intends to return to Thailand in the next year or wishes to guarantee no hassle in obtaining a future Thai visa/extension, OP needs to exit the country before the 90-day mark).

To assist understanding, you are saying that the Central Festival IO office now does annual extensions (based on retirement/marriage)? I'm also presuming you had an appointment and that Immigration sent you a new email telling you to go to Central Festival versus the airport office.

No, it won't as that won't stop any usual embassy process for location/notification of next of kin. What OP needs is a Thai Will that names his partner as the executor and handler of funeral arrangements (and, presuming that's the OP's wishes, to get his Thai and/or other assets). I can't speak for the UK embassy but the US embassy/consulate has advised me that presentation of such a Thai Will (which may be required to be translated into English) will stop the next-of-kin process (which essentially is a process to locate any relatives and possible heirs) and will result in the embassy/consulate issuing the letter allowing the release of the body to the person named in the Will.

Given his attire in the photo, he obviously was at home. Smoke detectors and perhaps a fire extinguisher for a 20-million baht home? Puzzling.

Have friends here in CM who head to Pattaya once a year to find and use what you're looking for......an "agent specializing in financial requirements"; however, I'm not aware of any agent here that can help you get around the legal requirements for an annual extension based on retirement. I would think at some point it's possible that the agents and immigration officers that play these games might find themselves charged and the expats joining them may be deported and blacklisted. Everyone makes their only choices but I personally like living here and wouldn't risk my right to do so; besides, I primarily look at the "ransom" you describe as a reasonable level of backup in case of personal emergency or need.

Technically, there is no limit to the times you can fly into Thailand and get exempt entries; however, at some point, you can expect an immigration officer to question whether you are a legitimate tourist. A few times a year should present no problem but after that then you can expect to be questioned. It's discretionary at that point whether to allow you entry. Would also note that so far the 45 day period for exempt entries expires as of March 31st (after that, absent a law change, you'll only get 30 days). If you're typically on an annual extension, why not convert to a Non-O (keeping in mind that here in Chiangmai you need to do that at least 21 days prior to expiration of your permission to stay to apply for that)? Then, of course, apply for your regular annual extension within 45 days of the expiration date of the Non-O.

Given your position, you come to this message board to ask for tax advice for you and your company? DJChris above has the proper answer....get advice from a Thai tax attorney.

Ol' Bill must have missed the pont that tourists don't go to any country to get any covid vaccine. Doesn't happen and is basically irrelevant to the revival of any tourist industry here in Thailand; nevertheless, calling the idea of offering vaccines to tourists as "crazy" is, so to speak, crazy in itself.

You might be better off posting that question in the Central Thailand forum.

I believe the OP said he was going to do a border hop from Vietnam to get another time period there and he was coming to Thailand to do that; however, on that "border hop" to Thailand, he is hoping to get a visa exemption rather than use his 60-day evisa which he wants to use on a subsequent entry into Thailand. Again, I don't know but I'd think that when they swipe his passport at immigration on his first entry (the border hop), I'd think his evisa would show up (presuming the Thai immigration computers issuing evisas is communicating with the Thai immigration entry computers....which I'd guess is a sure thing). As to whether the OP can then successfully ask the immigration officer to simply give him an exempt stamp (versus using the evisa), heck if I know (but I somewhat doubt it). Anyway, good luck OP....and report back here once you do your border hop to Thailand.

I don't know but won't the evisa show up when Thai immigration swipes the OP's passport upon entry?

Just had a complete physical at Chiangmai RAM 8 days ago and have had physicals there in the past. They offer a couple of physical packages and I selected the more thorough men's version with a cost of 9,500 baht. There was a more minimal package for 3000 baht but didn't include a few things (e.g., ultrasound, PSA, etc.) I wanted done. Have always been satisfied with the physicals and other things I've had done over the years at RAM. I also would guess you can specify your own physical program - what you want done and don't want done. Edit: Would note that physicals are done at the Health Check-Up Building in the Health Center (the new set of buildings about 600 yards south of the main hospital). And you don't need an appointment, just walk in and tell them what you want done (they recommend you come early....I arrived at 8AM and was finished by about 10AM).

Presuming the mom makes a valid Will and clearly identifies who gets what, how is it that where her/your son is listed on a tabien ban have anything to do with it? I simply don't buy that premise.

Thanks, Orinoco, for filling in the details. Neither option #1 or #2 apply at Chiangmai Immigration, the extension dates and 90-day address report dates are totally independent; however, even in Chiangmai, Immigration will provide a new 90-day report date when/if you convert from exempt or tourist visa to a Non-O.