CMBob

I have no clue what's required for your wife but likely similar to whatever was required before. As for you, probably just as easy to enter exempt and to convert to a Non-O based on retirement at Chiangmai Immigration: (1) 800k has to be in the bank the day you apply (obviously get the letter from the bank the day before you go to Immigration); (2) You need 21 days left on your permission to stay in Chiangmai to so convert (they claim it's because they have to send the stuff to Bangkok). So you'll need to do it within your first 6 or so days here on your 30-day exemption or, if you don't have enough time with that, you'll have to get a 30-day extension. (3) I don't really remember what documents they want. Obviously, photocopies of your passport photo page and entry stamp....and, yes, a copy of your TM30 (4) A TM86 filled out is required if converting from a tourist visa whereas a TM87 is required if converting to a Non-O from an exempt entry. As for subsequent annual extensions based on retirement, same documents as when you were here before including/plus a copy of the TM 30. The 800k is required to be in the bank 3 months after your last application date for an annual extension based on retirement and 2 months before the next application date (with a minimum of 400k in the bank all other months).

No wonder....and your dad should have slapped you silly for having said it. Your fascination with telling people that (and your generally incorrect perception as to why they react badly) suggests you are a few fries short of a happy meal.

No. With respect to the original post, I wonder if the OP stayed at a hotel which may have filed a TM30 for him. If that happens occasionally (not always) here in Chiangmai, one's online TM47 reports thereafter get rejected until one updates their TM30 filing.

They surely do. When I last transferred stamps to a new passport here in Chiangmai (December of 2020), they requested a photocopy of every page of the old passport including stamps from other countries. That was new to me (didn't have to do that last time I transferred stamps to a new passport in CM) but, since I take the kitchen sink with me (occasionally a given officer asks for something different), I had no problem. And OP has attached the proper form and it's probably wise to print it and fill it out before heading to immigration.

Obviously, since you have some concern, I'd highly recommend you apply for your annual extension as soon as you are able (i.e., if you're here, do it on the 30th or 29th day prior to expiration) so that you have time to fix anything that might (but hopefully does not) come up. As you know, your annual extension will be dated beginning on the expiration date of your current extension.

Okay, understand that. What confused me was OP's reference to multiple 60-day extensions granted to him before (only 60-day extensions I'm aware of are based on marriage or being the parent of a Thai child).

Out of curiosity, what "court document" are they requiring. Something to do with your marriage?

My guess is the answer is (and has been) "yes" to this question....and government is already getting 15% being withheld from bank interest; however, given there is an exemption of 150,000 baht per year, likely you can file a Thai income tax return to retrieve the 15% withheld (unless your total income here is over the 150k threshold). As concerns the new tax law, I'm doubtful it will affect anybody who is from a country which already has a Tax Convention agreement with Thailand. Even though you are below the threshold for taxes in your home country, it is income technically taxable in your home country and shouldn't be taxable here. The new law, in my view, mainly eliminates the loophole where a Thai earns income outside of Thailand but elects to wait until the following year to transfer it back to Thailand (which under prior law made it non-taxable here in Thailand). Even for those people, assuming they pay taxes on their income in the country where they work, I'd guess there are deductions here for taxes already paid (i.e., I'm doubtful anybody is going to be double-taxed on the same income). But, as a lot of people have said, the devil will be in the details which have not been adequately explained in any news article I've read.

I think most banks issue what we all have called the standard bank letter (just a letter from the bank showing the account number, account owner, and balance as of that date) in fairly short order (10-15 minutes). But didn't you also have to present to Immigration for your extension (retirement) essentially a history of the account for the prior year (and/or monthly bank statements for the year)? Others (Chiangmai expats only) that ask for that from Bangkok Bank tell me it takes 4-5 days to get that second item.

Yes, the death certificates (in Thai) are issued by the District Office where the death occurred. I mention "in Thai" as you might want to ask your nominee to also get a certified English translation as perhaps your pension company or others won't accept only a death certificate in Thai. You or your nominee can consult your country's Thai embassy website to hopefully obtain recommended outfits for the certified English translation (the Thai US embassy website has a good list of them).

I actually don't know; however, when coming in last time (August 10th), the immigration officer here in Chiangmai asked for my boarding ticket/pass. Rather no big deal but, given one is immediately off an international flight, one would think one would have the boarding pass easily available (if asked for it).

If there is an international flight, the re-entry desk at the airport will always be open so there's no worry about it being closed. I've gotten re-entry permits a couple of times in the past at the airport and both times it took no more than about 5-6 minutes (although I had the completed TM8 and required copies with me).

Last time (end of November last year) I got a ME re-entry permit at CM Immigration, I was dumbfounded that, besides the documents listed above, they also wanted a photo copy of my TM30 Receipt of Notification and, if you can believe it, a copy of my current TM47Receipt of Notification. I gave them copies as I take everything in the world with me to Immigration as occasionally they ask for something unusual.

Here in Chiangmai you can apply for a new extension 45 days prior to your extension expiration date. I don't know if the Central Festival office can do any annual extensions (other than, maybe, short extensions).

Only comment I'd make is the OP should make sure that the issuing office is aware the old passport has been found and that the issuing office has not reported the old passport as stolen. About 20 years ago, I lost a passport in Bangkok and attended the US Embassy the next day to obtain a new one (which required, of course, the police report saying the passport was lost). As it turned out, late that same day, a taxi driver showed up at my BKK hotel and delivered the old passport (he found it on the floor of the back seat of the cab). I called the US Embassy the next day, explained the situation, they first told me they would not refund the $60.00 I paid for the new passport which they'd cancel, and I was good to go. Several days later, when hitting the airport for a flight back to the US, the airline check-in person seemed a bit weird and suddenly two soldier-looking dudes showed up and escorted me into a back room. The US Embassy reported the passport as stolen (which they apparently do for all lost or actually stolen passports) and that's why I was escorted to a back room for discussion (which was resolved in relatively short order). I do realize the OP has a new passport which surely won't be reported as lost or stolen but it's possible the old one (the "lost" one) has been reported as stolen and may or may not raise a problem upon his entry into Thailand [as he's going to have to show both old and new passports to preserve his extension and re-entry permit (if multiple)]. So, if I was the OP, I'd make sure the issuing passport office has not reported the old passport as stolen.

Presuming there's no reference to the name change in the new passport, I'm guessing what he/she needs is a signed (maybe notarized) statement from the entity that issued the new passport that he/she is the same person listed in the old passport. With that, shouldn't be a problem in either getting into Thailand (he/she should be careful that they stamp in until the expiration of the current annual extension). Then, later, also should not be a problem (as long as he retains that signed/notarized statement) to have the local immigration office transfer appropriate stamps to the new passport.

For almost any service here in Chiangmai Immigration, a photocopy of the TM30 Receipt of Notification (or screenshot of an online filing) is required.

I've done the Songtheaw ride there a couple of times but for any sightseeing that method would be pretty much worthless. Bus would be better for that purpose. Or....just my preference....I found the train ride to there and Lampang to be more interesting (as in visually appealing) (but, unless they are now using the new train cars, the old train cars I've used on those routes are not in any sense upscale which the OP seems to prefer).

Correct but those rates are only applied to the Thai estate value over 100 million baht. If that happens (almost never involving anybody posting here), happily pay the tax.

As concerns an autopsy, it'll only happen if the cause of death is suspicious/unknown or if your next-of-kin request it. As concerns estate tax, that's between you and your home country, your kids (regardless of nationality) have nothing to do with that (other than, presuming they are your estate beneficiaries, they'll get what's left). Neither any embassy nor Thailand itself will have any involvement in whether your estate owes "inheritance" taxes (actually, it's a tax on your estate) on property you own outside of Thailand and that outside property will have to be probated in your home country. Property you own here in Thailand will necessarily be required to be "probated here." If you have property outside of Thailand in your home country, obviously you should have a Will (or trust if allowed) there. As for property you may have here in Thailand, you ought to have a separate Thai Will covering those assets. Bottom line......since you presumably have significant assets and kids.....go talk to a lawyer as to how it all happens, best way to handle it, whether you should have a Will or trust (home country only), etc., etc.

Scoot (which is the low-cost airline of the Singapore Airlines group) does fly to and from CNX and Singapore; however, I have no clue if they have an office at the CM airport.

Sorry, don't know. I've never used my Thai driver's or motorcycle license at either SCB or Bangkok Bank. I just know that when I do an inside-the-bank transaction (e.g., getting a withdrawal bigger than my ATM account allows, getting a new ATM card, or simply informing them of new passport number), I've always made sure I had my passport with me. They've never requested anything else.

Just read the instructions on the US embassy/consulate website to learn what it takes to get a US passport card. It has to be done by mail via the BKK and you have to also mail in your passport with the mentioned documents and bank drafts. Embassy/Consulate appointments are not available for this purpose (appointments are allowed for renewal of passports under special conditions, all as explained on the website). You mention you want one so as to have a "second photo ID." Really? Whenever I do business inside the bank (for me, either SCB or Bangkok Bank), I take my passport and that's all I've ever needed (and once SCB accepted the photocopy of the photo page of my passport I keep in my wallet). Never heard of anybody needing two photo ID's.

What's barbaric is anyone thinking that burying alive an 8-year-old might be "necessary." Unbelievable.

You apparently didn't read the online document you signed to attend....as it was plainly spelled out there. You may now self-use the Captain Obvious moniker....lol.