CMBob

One can extend a visa-exempt entry and obtain another 30 days. But: (1) No chance for an appointment for that in CM (not a listed item on appointment calendar and typically all slots are filled out to the 80-90th day anyway). (2) You may be able to do it online (filing documents, getting approval, and then heading to CM Immigration to get your stamp). The CM Immigration website will direct you here: https://thaiextension.vfsevisa.com/ (3) Typical documents you need: completed TM7 with photo, passport copies (photo page and entry stamp page), copy of TM30, and 1,900 baht.

"....as he paid a visit to the newly renovated Hua Hin Railway Station..." Lousy article. First off, the photograph shows the PM and others standing in front of the old, rather small, and historic Hua Hin train station......none of which has been renovated. Instead, a brand new (huge) train station has been built across the tracks. This is what it looked like this past November (and hardly looks "Thai" at all with respect to it's design elements).

Ok, I misunderstood your comment. Yea, the CM appointment site no longer has family/marriage extensions listed (only business, volunteer, education, and retirement).

They were wrong if that's what they told you. The appointment system goes out only 90 days and almost every slot is full for almost the entire time period. Just checked and saw a couple of times for August 30th and September 11th. To have some assurance of getting an appointment time, one should go attempt it early on the 90th day out.

Yes, you still have to check at the info counter straight ahead of you when entering the building (but, again, they might tell you to go get your paperwork pre-checked and obtain a number from the tent people outside). Make sure you have a printout (hard copy) of your appointment as that's the first thing the inside desk will want to see. As to the 500 fee and e-extension fee the poster above mentions, I have no clue about that at all (never heard of it here in CM).

Typically, the appointment time is closely honored.....likely with 5-10 minutes of your scheduled time (occasionally even a few minutes early). The problem, though, is whether you have to have your paperwork pre-checked by the people in the "tent" area (if so, then obviously you need to be there early enough to go through that process.....which could be 30-45+ minutes earlier in the day). It used to be said that a medium/light blue background was required for photos; however, I've used photos with white background the last few times (couple of extensions, couple of re-entry permits) I've been to CM Immigration. So it would appear that either a white or blue background is fine these days.

I agree it requires Part A and Part B for the figures I quoted. Everyone eligible for Medicare has Part A as it's free and most people who ever want to use Medicare benefits do pay for Part B (typically via deduction from Social Security benefits). The monthly cost for Part B is somewhat based on gross income (what you pay in monthly premium for one year is based on your gross income 2 years prior). Presuming your gross income in 2022 was $103k or less, your 2024 monthly premium for Part B is 174.70.

A comment obviously based on zero experience in the USA. I and several friends have had cataract operations in the US and I and they thought the care was exceptional. Almost no eye surgeon in the US will do both eyes at once (typically 3 weeks apart) and typically one is home about 3-4 hours after each operation. Given the quality surgical techniques used these days (at least in the US), there is no reason to stay overnight in a hospital. And never heard of the "no water" comment you made. As concerns cost, those on Medicare (65 and older.....the average age for those having cataract operations) don't pay much. About 5 years ago, I (on Medicare) paid just shy of $900.00 for both operations including eye surgeon appointments before and after the operations. I don't know what the cost is for those without Medicare or Medicaid or for those who have private insurance. It's great you're happy with the service and cost you experienced at Prince Hospital. That's cool; however, your comments about how it happens in the US are both unnecessary to your story and inaccurate.

CM in general follows the June 2020 police order and as long as you return to your TM30 registered address from either (1) abroad presuming you enter with a re-entry permit or (2) from a hotel/whatever within Thailand that has filed the usual TM30 for you, then you don't need to do anything; however, that being said, when you have stayed at a hotel/whatever in Thailand that has filed the usual TM30 for you, it's hit or miss whether a 90-day online filing will be rejected (even in that case, you can still file the TM47 in person without messing with the TM30 routine).

The OP already has a 90-day Non-O if I'm reading his post his correctly; that being the case, OP can obtain an entry permit at anytime during the Non-O 90-day time period (but, of course, the expiration date will match the Non-O expiration date). Only CM 21-day time limit that I'm aware of is when one attempts to convert an exemption or tourist visa to a Non-O in country.

Can't count the number of times we have a posting about a relevant issue that isn't from first-hand knowledge. Frustrating and often tends to confuse. Regardless, while apparently a rogue Immigration office/officer seems to apply its/his/her own TM30 rules from time to time, there is no legal requirement to do anything with a TM30 filing if you've had an in-country TM filing by a hotel or whatever or if you return from out of the country using the same visa/extension with a re-entry permit....providing you've returned to your TM30 registered address. As Dr. Jack and others have pointed out multiple times, the June 2020 police order covers the requirements. A copy of the relevant section in English is attached.

Interesting. While I've provided the standard bank stuff for an extension based on retirement (currently being the one year statement and standard bank letter), I've never given them my actual bankbook. I do always have it (along with lots of other stuff) with me just in case.

Might be hit or miss. Sounds like Worgeordie wasn't required to do the "tent" pre-check, same as what happened to me in December of 2022; however, I again went straight to Window 2 this past December (2023) and they made me go to the tent area for a pre-check there (which almost made me late for the appointment time).

While I don't disagree with some of your other comments, the only place water bottles would be disallowed is going through security, hardly an AA issue. That happens pretty much anywhere.

Had the exact same problem and reason given 2 months ago....and, like your situation, all my filed information was exactly correct. I ended up filing in person (using the same form they email back to acknowledge receipt of your filing......of course, with the exact same info they erroneously claimed was incorrect) without a hitch or question. Guess I'll find out in June if I can use the online filing again. Who or what receives and reviews the TM47 filings is unknown to me but obviously the system screws up on occasion.

West end had a fair amount of lightning, some thunder, and net result of about 12 drops of rain (Nimman to Sirimangkalajarn area). More!

Since you mention that you believe the source of the problem is the moisture (grey waste water) under the house, that would be the problem I would address....not only to get rid of the mosquitos but to prevent other potential health problems with some of those fumes likely penetrating the house.

Just to clarify for others, I am guessing what you are saying is that either an agent got you an appointment at Central Festival or you stopped by at Central Festival and they gave you one (if it's the latter, say so as that might help others). I was simply trying to point out that online appointments are not available at the Central Festival office.

Please advise how you got an appointment at the Central Festival office. To my knowledge, there's only one appointment website and that's only for appointments at the main CM immigration office.

It just happens, it seems, for no reason. An online rejection I received referenced a TM30 problem (because a hotel in Hua HIn filed the usual TM30 for me. I went and filed the TM47 in person without a comment about the TM30 but I later had to "update" my TM30 filing to use the online system again. This happened in spite of the current police rules saying a filing/update was not needed given I returned to my TM30 registered address. Then, in early February of this year, another online application was rejected and specified that "Incorrect entry date upon entry into the kingdom/ Incorrect visa expiration date." Simply untrue....both dates were correct and I filed the TM47 in person the next day without a problem (using the same form they email back when acknowledging one's filing....with the exact same information they rejected before). I have no clue who gets, reads, and decides the online TM47 filings (I'm in Chiangmai) but it's my best guess that whoever it is just made a mistake, applied their own rules, didn't know the rules, or was just having a bad day.

At the drive-through, all you need to present is your passport and a completed TM47 form. I presume (but don't know) that it's the same for those walking up to the window you mention.

The only reason I did the drive-up window deal last week is that the online TM 47 system rejected my online filing. But the email rejection specifically said that it was rejected because "Incorrect entry date upon entry into the kingdom/Incorrect visa expiration date." Neither case was true and I used the very TM47 form they send you when acknowledging your filing(with the same "incorrect" entry date and/or "incorrect" visa expiration date) at the drive-up window without a question or problem. I have no clue who reads (miss-reads?) the online filings. A year or two ago they also rejected a TM47 online filing due to a hotel outside of Chiangmai Province filing a TM30 for me (again, as stated before, they aren't following their own rules) but I then just filed the TM47 in person then without a problem or question; however, before I could use the TM47 online filing system again, I had to go to the back TM30 building and have them "update" my filing (which, like you, meant simply handing them only my passport and telling them what happened.....and they quickly played with their computer and inserted a new TM30 Receipt of Notification in my passport). After that, I had no problem using the online TM47 filing....well, until the bogus rejection last week mentioned above.

With respect to the TM30 update issue, last week I did the 90-day report via the drive-up window and nothing was said/needed with respect to updating my TM30 Receipt of Notification (although I've been out of the country for a few days a couple months ago.....and last November stayed in a hotel in Hua Hin which in fact filed the usual TM30 for me as a guest there). Under the police regulations issued in June of 2020, it specifically says that there's no need to refile anything if you've stayed elsewhere in Thailand or if you re-entered Thailand with a re-entry permit....so long as you return to your TM30 registered address; however, as you've experienced, whether a given officer (or office?) follows the latest TM30 rules is a hit or miss experience. With respect to TM47 (90-day) filings, one can do that online or by mail from just about anywhere; however, some Immigration offices won't let you do it in person in a province in which your TM30 address is not registered.

You'll need to complete the form "Transfer Stamp to New Passport" and you'll need: (1) Photocopy of your photo page of your new passport (and any pages with any stamps), and (2) Photocopy of your old passport photo page and at least a photocopy of every page in the old passport with Thai stamps. I say "at least" as I've had it done twice and one of the times they insisted on a photocopy of every page of the old passport even those with stamps from other countries. Once they also requested a photocopy of my TM30 Receipt of Notification. Neither time was I required to furnish a copy of the TM47 Receipt of Notification but read somewhere that somebody else was required to present a photocopy of same. And, of course, sign (blue ink) all the photocopies, the transfer form, and might as well neatly print your telephone number near your signature on the transfer form (they may or may not ask for the telephone number). Edit: If my memory is correct, I just went directly to the window to the right of the general info/whatever desk in front of the entry door (i.e., I didn't have to get pre-clearance either time but who knows what's happening nowadays).

If you are leaving from the international side at CNX, the re-entry desk will be open. That's always been the case.