CMBob

Here in Chiangmai, I've always furnished a copy of my lease for renewal of the annual extension based on retirement. I presume it's required as they have never handed it back to me as they do occasionally with other extra documents I provide. As for length of time of the lease compared to extension time period, that's never been an issue. Got the new extension last week which expires January of 2024 whereas the lease currently expires March of 2023. Not exactly sure of the entirety of the OP's question but I believe the only "extension" you can obtain to a "Non-O retirement" is an annual extension based on retirement (not including any possible extension options based on marriage or parenthood).

Didn't know Chiangrai had a flower festival; however, if you mean the Chiangmai Flower Festival, it's the first weekend of February (excepting 2nd weekend if there happens to be an election then). For 2023, its February 3rd-5th with the big parade on Saturday the 4th.

I have no idea but would also like to know where he (Pharmacist Khun Samkuan) has relocated, if anywhere. For a while after his 2nd floor pharmacy closed, he showed up once a week at KSK (back table area) but haven't heard anything about him since even before KSK closed.

Addressing only the issue of getting a new USA passport, OP will get back his old and new passport along with the standard Immigration letter within three weeks of applying. Most get it within 2 weeks of applying. When I got a new US passport this past December, the info went by DHL on a Monday and I had the new and old passports and letters 11 days later. (i.e., it won't take 45 days to get a new USA passport if applied for here in Thailand).

Somewhat related question to UJ. Presume somebody is on an annual extension, let's say originally on a Non-OA. So, annual extension time comes around and the person has either a passport or required medical insurance that expires in 8 months. I realize that the extension in both cases will only be granted for 8 months; however, if the person then gets a new passport or then goes and gets another year's worth of medical insurance, will Immigration upon request give the person the full one-year extension or is the person now forever stuck on a new extension date (the date 8 months out)?

I too have the 880k in a separate account up here in Chiangmai. When I got my annual extension last December (based on retirement and funds in the bank) here in CM, I was required to provide the standard materials and the 12-month statement (which, thankfully, SCB provided on the spot). That was the first time ever that a full-year statement was required and I'm expecting the same requirement when I obtain the next extension in a few weeks. Mr. Dwyer obviously has a point in his original post. For somebody who's never been in Thailand before, never had a prior bank account here, came in either with a tourist visa or visa exempt, and who then converted to a Non-O, it would be impossible for them to show a full years' bank statement. Either the IO he used got it wrong or somehow saw the OP's visa/extension history merited the request for a full year's bank statement.

Was that in Chiangmai? I've done a dozen+ annual extensions (based on retirement and funds in the bank) here in Chiangmai and my bank letter (and updated bankbook copies) have always been from the prior day.

A little puzzled by those comments. The conversion to a Non-O (from visa exempt or tourist visa and/or extensions of either) is 2000 baht and, yes, you will receive a receipt. As for annual extensions, the fee is 1,900 baht (same as it's been for as long as I can remember....a decade plus) and you also will get a receipt for those. There is zero need to pay anything additional to CM Immigration other than those standard fees.

Here in Chiangmai you can go for your annual extension with the TM7 up to 45 days prior to the expiration of your 90-day Non-O. And your annual extension will be dated (start) from the date of expiration of your Non-O. Same rule for future annual extensions.

To go through the CM Immigration drive-through window, all you need to present is your passport and the TM47 filled out and signed (sometimes they want your phone number written neatly below your signature so might as well add that). You don't need copies of anything else including your TM30 (although they may not accept any filing if your TM30 has not in fact been filed by your landlord). To be perfectly safe with the TM30 routine, ask your landlord for a screenshot of what was filed and staple that in the back of your passport.

Didn't notice the OP said he was going to do this up here in Chiangmai (same place I converted a year ago). CM Immigration requires 21 days remaining on your current permission to stay (whether entering visa exempt, with a Tourist Visa, or with an extension of either) and they at least say they require that time because the conversion is approved in Bangkok (I have no idea if that's true). On the day you apply for the conversion, you'll get a slip of paper stapled in your passport telling you to come back on a given date 21 days later to get your new Non-O visa stamped in your passport. The actual Non-O visa you get will have a start date around (or within a week of) the date you applied.

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.

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).

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.

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").

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.