CMBob

Mea culpa, missed that part. Nevertheless, nice to see the embassy be so accommodating.

Puzzled how you still have your old passport. When I got a new US passport a year+ ago (mail deal to Bangkok), I had to send my old/current passport in with the application papers. Edit: Just checked the forms I used and see that they require you to send in either your "current passport and/or card." So presume OP sent in the card.

You're free (well, not really "free") to use an agent but it's rather perplexing to me why you suggest people who do it themselves are somehow not as smart as you??? To the contrary. When you use your agent, you first go see your agent to pass over the documents you have obtained. Then at another time/date, you either go to your agent's office where they haul you out to Immigration or you meet them there. What's all that take, a couple of hours in total? And what's it cost? Handling an annual extension based on retirement is easy. Schedule an appointment, gather the required documents, and you'll not on average spend an hour for that at Immigration once a year. For my last annual extension 6 months ago, I had an appointment at 10AM and was out the door with the new extension at 10:25AM. Many can easily handle that and don't need somebody to hold their hand to get it done; but, as they say, it's up to you (whatever floats your boat).

If your theoretical person got a re-entry permit, wouldn't that preserve the Tourist Visa (or what's left at time of re-entry of the 60 days)? Other than that, have to agree that the OP's theoretical plans seem silly.

The online 30-day extension deal (which I think started earlier this year as a test program) was originally only available for those visiting Bangkok Immigration. Whether it's been extended so as to be available elsewhere, I don't know (if somebody does know, time to post your info).

A few comments/corrections regarding death of a US citizen here in Thailand: (1) Have had a few expat friends die here in Chiangmai and in each case the body remained in the hospital morgue until released (by approval of the applicable embassy/consulate and payment of the hospital charges); (2) Whether a not an autopsy is required depends on the circumstances (it's not automatic) and, even if the death occurs outside a hospital, that doesn't mean an autopsy is done (again, circumstances). (3) If you have a Will in English (or Will in Thai translated into English) and (1) the Will names "X" as the executor, (2) contains language that "X" has full power to handle funeral arrangements, and (3) "X" presents the English version of the Will to the US Consulate (or Embassy as the case may be), they will promptly cease their "next of kin" search and issue their letter okaying the release of the body to "X." Having a proper Will (in both Thai and English) facilitates both release of the body and handling of the probate procedure.

The new bivalent Moderna booster is available for free for everyone (including expats) at the CM Neurological Hospital (open M-F, 8AM to noon, walk-in basis). They (and other places) also offer a Pfizer booster but I don't believe it's the newer version.

I am presuming you are on some type of annual extension which expires in July and you will be applying for a new annual extension. To my knowledge, there is no rule requiring you to have 1 year left on your passport to obtain an extension; HOWEVER, your extension will only be granted to the expiration date of your passport (thus effectively changing your annual renewal date). Presuming you want a full one-year extension, time to obtain a new passport ASAP.

A CM friend, who's been here for 10 years on O-A annual extensions, just did a border run in February for the very purpose of killing off his O-A (returning visa exempt, converting to a Non-O, and getting his annual extension just this week). No nonsense about being denied leaving. Think the guy was confused (and KhunBenq has likely guessed the reason).

Presuming you mean you have an annual extension based on retirement that expires June 13th, you can renew up to 45 days prior to June 13th here in CM. Why you waited for an annual extension until the day before expiration somewhat boggles the mind. But, yes, you can go without an appointment whenever you want but "late afternoon" seems a bit risky/foolish. Go at 1PM Tues-Thurs and not the day before or after any holiday and you'll hopefully be okay. And, if you do, follow worgeordie's advice so somebody else might be able to use the appointment time.

Presuming the hotel you stay at does file a TM30, there's really no reason to think using your driver's license helps.....given your passport number is on your driver's license. Dr. Jack is right that some offices (such as Chiangmai) on a hit or miss basis require one to update one's TM30 if you stay anywhere in Thailand that files a TM30 for you; however, the update process is easy and doesn't require one to present a new TM30 form with the usual attachments (I just showed up, said I needed to update so I could use the online TM47 reporting again, and they quickly entered some info on their computer and gave me a new TM30 Receipt of Notification).

They recommend that, as long as you have your EMS receipt, to wait at least a couple of weeks after your due date before you go see them in person. Hopefully you'll get your Receipt of Notification in the next few days but, if not received, you'll need to go visit them them about the last week of May.

The info in the US embassy website about obtaining a new passport is rather clear (simply read it and you'll easily know if you have a special situation that allows an Embassy/Consulate appointment to apply for a new passport or if you are required to do it by mail). Last time I got a new US passport was in December of 2021 and mailed (DHL) the stuff to Bangkok on a Monday morning and had the new passport (and old one) back in the mail 11 days later; however, recently they've been warning that it is now taking a few weeks. The CM Consul General has said that new US passports applied for here in Thailand are done at a separate office than where it's done for applications made within the US and that's why it's actually quicker to apply for one here in Thailand. In olden days, US passports were made here and you typically got the new one the same day or next day. No more........they're all made in the US and delivered by diplomatic pouch back to the US Bangkok embassy.

What is transferred to your new passport is: (1) A stamp which basically details your old passport number, issue date of that old passport, etc.; (2) A stamp which shows when, how, and where you last entered Thailand; (3) A stamp showing your visa class (in my case simply says Non-O, date it originated, and permission-to-stay date); (4) And they'll put (transfer) a new stamp for your permission to stay (in my case, Non-); and (5) If you have a still-operative Re-Entry Permit, they'll typically transfer that. In Chiangmai, besides the Form to transfer stamps, they wanted: (1) A copy of the photo page and every filled-out page of the old passport; (2) A copy of the photo page of the new passport and any other stamps that might be in the new passport. Don't remember if they wanted a copy of my TM30 Receipt of Notification or the TM47 Receipt of Notification (which I or they simply stapled into the rear part of the new passport).

To my knowledge, there is no city sewer system so I have no doubt your wastewater is going into a septic tank. I live not too far away from you (a townhouse west of Kad Suan Gaew) and we get the septic tank pumped every 2-3 years by Chiang Mai Waste Disposal Service. According to their bill, their office is somewhere on Charoen Pratet. I have two numbers for them: 053-281533 and 053-818446 Whether they can or can't flush out your connecting pipe, I don't know (but I'd guess they can).

It's the Thai Ministry of Public Health's app for various purposes (vaccine info, shows your vaccinations records, allows you to obtain an International Vaccine Certificate, etc.). Not so useful anymore given nobody now requires proof of covid vaccinations for travel or whatever. You can obtain the android app (หมอพร้อม)on Playstore (I presume there is an Apple version but don't really know).

I should add that they want your Mor Prom number (begins with 60000.....) so they can enter your information in the system. You probably can get the shot there without that information (I did although I emailed them later with my Mor Prom number).

Yes....got the new bivalent Moderna booster last week at Chiangmai Neurogical Hospital (hours 8AM-noon, Monday thru Friday, walk-in basis). They also offer the Pfizer booster (have no clue if it's the new one) and Astra Seneca (spelling?) booster. Also.....based on their website....Nakorn Ping hospital is offering the same three boosters.....with the Moderna one described as the new bivalent booster. Edit: Somebody in that other thread suggested Chiangmai RAM. When I contact RAM about 6 weeks ago, they told me they weren't doing any covid vaccines then. Maybe that's changed.

Yes, it is a bit confusing. The building between emergency (and 13-floor part) and the street is signed both on the west and street side as "Sriphat Building" and I'm guessing originally that front building was at least part of the private arm known as Sriphat. When I talked to the staff this morning, they said they would call the 13-floor part you refer to as Suan Dawk (yes, the idiom for the hospital complex there due to being near the gate) whereas Sriphat hospital shares the space in that 13-floor building (whether Sriphat shares all 13 floors, I have no idea as I've visited people at Sriphat many, many, times for more than a decade and they have always been on the highest 3-4 floors).

Off topic but, after a visit today, asked some nurses if the hospital was Sriphat or Suan Dawk. There's answer was it was both as they are "sharing space." Guess that at least partly explains the confusion.

I've been regularly visiting a friend on floor 11 of the old Sriphat and at least he thinks he is in Sriphat Hospital. I believe the photo above is of the outpatient department/building. And, of course, there's a new imaging center on Sirimangkalajarn (by Salad Concept), a new optical center south of Suthep Road, etc.

Out of curiosity, does Maharaj actually have a separate emergency (trauma) center? To my knowledge, there's only one in that complex and it's straight ahead as you drive in there....and actually closer to the Sripat building. I have no clue what entity owns or manages it.

For the benefit of the crews crammed into those 75-year-old tanks, I hope they come with a very good reverse gear.

Actually, I don't believe a re-entry permit will preserve in any manner a 30-day exempt stamp. The 30-day exempt stamp will expire when OP leaves the country and OP will get a new 30-day stamp upon re-entry into the country (presuming he doesn't have some unusual history in Thailand). That's all that's needed for the OP's stated plans. And it costs nothing.