CMBob

You use the TM86 form to convert from a Tourist Visa to a Non-O visa (if you came in visa exempt, you'd use TM87).  And to then obtain an annual extension before the end of your 90-day Non-O visa, you'd use the TM7 form.

At CM Immigration, I converted last fall from visa exempt to a Non-O and then got my annual extension based on retirement a couple of months later.  Neither time did I need to show (nor did show) that the funds came from abroad.  But I'd note that I was in the somewhat same boat as the OP (having had 10+ annual extensions based on retirement, the last extension expiring while I was out of the country during covid times) and perhaps Immigration saw that I had that history and a long history of maintaining the 800k in a Thai bank.  Come to think of it, I've never had to show the funds came from abroad (the SCB passbook does not have anything equivalent to the "FTT" symbol reflected in a Bangkok Bank passbook).

While I realize that many offices only require 14 days left on your current stay (visa exempt or otherwise), here in CM they require 21 days (they say that's because the approval for conversion to a Non-O comes from Bangkok and not from the local office). 

I've never recommended anybody use an agent, especially those agents who skirt the law, bribe their connections at the Immigration offices, etc.; however, simply for the convenience, I'd recommend you use an agent here given your aunt is on a short timeline and may not have time to get the things done properly to convert to a Non-O visa.  With a bit of assistance, the OP can maybe do the annual extension for his aunt 20-30 days before the Non-O expires.

22 minutes ago, ed79 said:

This is true at Chang Wattana where someone meets you and you go direct to which ever desk is dealing with you, all other offices apparently disregard the booked appointment.

I don't believe you'll find that to be the case here in Chiangmai (people I've known who have had appointments have been satisfied); regardless, why not return to this thread after your appointment and let us know how it went for you.

I have a skype telephone number (mid-Michigan #) and pay $69.50 a year to maintain it.  With that, anybody in the US can call me on that number using their usual mobile service and I use the Skype app on my phone to call any US number, all at no cost beyond the $69.50 a year mentioned.  Calls are pretty much handled over the internet and are pretty decent quality.  I say pretty much because someone in the US calling me on their mobile phone are connecting via their usual cellular service to some Skype computer somewhere (in the US?) which then handles the rest of the call via the internet.  Pretty decent deal in my view.

(I understand that Skype to Skype or other message service to message service is basically free over the internet but how I do it doesn't require anyone I call in the US (or anyone in the US to calling me) to have the Skype or other messaging app on their phone).

Avoid Mondays and any day after a holiday.  I normally choose to go Tuesday through Thursday.  As to time of

day, the horde shows up at 8-9AM and typically has thinned between 11 and noon.  As Immigration takes a lunch

break, I'd recommend trying at 1:30-2:00PM when not all that many people are there.

I have an appointment ("retirement purposes") at the end of this month and there still are appointment times

available before the 24th; however, I have no clue what section under the appointment website would apply to

an elite visa (but am guessing you also would hit the "retirement purposes" button).  

Url for appointment times:  https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

To my knowledge, one will go through immigration in Bangkok if that's the first place you arrive from outside of Thailand.  That's the way it's always been for me. 

Whoever came up with this scheme is dreaming in my point of view as I'm doubtful hardly anybody with that kind of money to invest would invest it here in Thailand.  If you've got a million+ US dollars to invest, you probably didn't get there by being financially foolish.  And agree to lock it up for "x" number of years? Additionally financially dumb. 

Who does the scheme benefit?  Well, of course, the wealthy Thais who own almost all the land within the sectors where the plan will apply.  And, should the scheme cause property prices to rise, again the wealthy get the benefit (and the average Thai is even more unlikely to ever be a landowner). 

7 minutes ago, Alotoftravel said:

....question: once that  account passes the 20,000 baht interest , will I expect the bank to start the 15% withhold ?

Heck if I know but would guess they'll either withhold starting at that figure or, presuming you were about to earn 21k baht in interest, they'd withhold 15% on the whole amount.  In a sense, doesn't matter (other than the hassle) as with your new tax ID you can go to the applicable Treasury building January-March and they'll file a tax return for you and you'll get whatever amount of tax withheld (provided you qualify..... which basically means that otherwise you don't have income tax due in Thailand).

Ditto on comments of pgraham above.  I had a large coffee table made via one of the shops there and was quite satisfied with it as to quality and price.   As to whether you'll find true teak nowadays, good luck.

There also used to be several furniture shops on the road (1317?) to San Kampaeng which had some very nice stuff, large tables and cabinets, etc.  I don't remember if I saw any benches there and I have no clue if they can make custom furniture for you.

Holders of Bangkok Bank accounts were notified (or supposed to be notified) that their accounts were transferred to the Bangkok Bank branch on the west side of Chang Phuak (approximately 700 meters north of Chang Phuak gate).  You can definitely get your bank letter there but may (not sure) get it at other Bangkok Bank branches.

On 10/7/2022 at 10:50 AM, BritTim said:

....That said, do not assume that Thai immigration officials have the same broad discretion that US customs and border control agents have. 

One could argue the Thai Immigration statute grants rather wider power to Thai Immigration Officers (e.g., I am doubtful the US or UK statute is phrased such than an immigration officer can deny entry due to the officer's belief that the denial is "for reason of public order, good morals or culture, or for the happiness of the people").

28 minutes ago, Alotoftravel said:

I am getting confused :

the intend of getting the tax id was to eliminate the withhold of the tax for the interest from the bank thus not needing to file the annual form to get the tax withholding ,  Is that correct ?

There are multiple reasons to get a Thai tax ID.  (1) If you need it for work or other purposes, (2) If you hope to have your bank no longer withhold the 15% tax on interest (for the first 20k baht or whatever) and presuming your bank will honor that request (as some posters say has occurred), or (3) If you want to file a Thai income tax return to receive back the mentioned tax from the Treasury.

I obtained a tax ID years ago and filed a couple of tax returns and got the withheld 15% back when it was worth bothering with it (haven't bothered in the last couple of years because the interest withheld wasn't much but may do it again in January as you can claim back 3 years worth). 

Would note that I attempted (2-3 years ago) with my tax id card to ask my bank (SCB) to stop withholding the 15% and they simply said "no can do."  Maybe I'll try again.

I did at both Bangkok Bank and SCB 20+ years ago but, like you said, things have changed.  This past fall, I tried to open a Bangkok Bank account with only my 45-day exemption and they said "no" (I had to wait until I converted to a Non-O).

You could visit a couple of branches of whatever banks and give it a try but, if that doesn't work, you're only option (if they'll handle it) is to use an agent.

Yes, open early for applications this year.  Opened Monday (17th).

6 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

....For a non O retirement obtained inside Thailand the money must come from abroad.

At CM Immigration last (2021) October, I converted from exempt to a Non-O and, while they could see from the bank passbook copies that the 800k had been in there for several years, there was nothing in the passbook (SCB) that reflected the funds came from abroad (the funds were deposited 10-12 years ago and the passbook CM Immigration saw only covered the last several years).

Perhaps I got a break because they could see that the funds had been there for many years and/or that they could see I had many prior extensions based on retirement and gave me a break due to covid.  Not sure.

According to the translation I've seen of the current Immigration Act (BE 2522), it says that one must report one's address upon "completion" of a ninety day period."  In the OP's case, he/she hasn't completed a 90-day time period when leaving on the 90th day.

And, while I never concerned myself with calculating the exact time before, I just looked at a couple of my 90-day Receipts of Notification and indeed the next report dates are on the 91st day (counting the first day).  

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

....Do they take debit cards?

I realize you have no need for a long time to renew your US passport but currently the answer to your question is easily obtained by a simple review of the Bangkok Embassy website section dealing with passport renewals.  To assist, I'll paste the following from the website:

Q: What payment methods are available for use via Pay.gov?
A: You can pay the $130 fee by electronic check/transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, or Amazon Pay on Pay.gov. This amount cannot be altered. You must pay the fee in U.S. dollars.

As has been noted, renewing a US passport must be done by mail absent some unusual factors (using the Embassy website section for renewal will tell you if you have certain factors that would require you to go to the Embassy/Consulate.....but only a small minority would be allowed to do so).

Personally, I found the mail-in deal to be easy and quick (DHL on a Monday from Chiangmai to the Embassy in Bangkok and return of the new and punched old passport (and Immigration letter) on a Thursday 11 days later).  A lot faster and easier than renewing it in the states (would note that renewal in the US appears to be heading to an online procedure for all/most next year although the process there is not anticipated to be anywhere near as fast as getting it done here in Thailand).  

You pay for the new passport itself online with a credit card (before you could do the credit card thing or pay via a bank draft) and you must include a bank draft for 100 baht for return of the new and old passports (I don't see how an agent can get the bank draft for you although I have no clue if the Embassy would have a problem if the bank draft was from somebody other than the person applying for the passport). Anyway, the process is easy.

9 minutes ago, night_rider said:

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't Chiang Mai Immigration issue extensions from the date of application rather than the end of your existing stamp? If you go 10 day early aren't you going to shorten your stay from 45+30 to 35+30?

Don't believe so.....the 30 day extension will be tacked onto the end of the visa exempt time period.  When one converts to a Non-O (from an exempt or tourist visa), the Non-O will run from either the date of application or within a week or so after the date of application.  And, as you know, annual extensions (based on retirement or whatever) will run from the date of expiration of your current permission to stay or extension even if you apply for it 30-45 days before the expiration date.

Between October 1st and March 30th, you'll get visa exempt entry of 45 days (it's simply an exempt entry and it's not any type of visa).  And, yes, you can extend for another 30 days at CM Immigration for 1,900 baht and some paperwork.  Would recommend going for your 30-day extension 10+ days before your 45-day exempt time expires just in case you run into a paperwork problem (not likely but it could happen).

Mae Sai border is not currently open for farang but, then again, you certainly don't need to do a border run if you're only staying 60 days.

Renewed my US passport here this past December and used the bank draft option for both the renewal fee and the 100 baht return mailing fee; however, checking the Embassy website info, the bankdraft option for the renewal fee isn't available anymore (although one still has to go get a bankdraft for the 100 baht return mailing fee).  Would obviously be helpful simply to allow a credit/debit card for both fees and that'd eliminate the need to go get a bankdraft.  And, yea, anybody without a workable credit/debit card apparentlyl simply can't renew their US passport here.

Ignore....double post

4 hours ago, orang37 said:

I am so happy....

And I'm so sad that you poor devils in Nong Hay (ones anywhere near the Ping river) need a kayak to get around.

As to the prior poster's question, absent some big rains or water flows from the north, you'll have zero problem getting to the airport.