CMBob

Not questioning what you did but why would Immigration want to check for money transfers from overseas when you say you do your extension based on 800k baht in the bank? Makes no sense to me....as one can support such an annual extension on the 800k in the bank or showing you transferred 65k a month for the year. Showing both isn't required anywhere as far as I know. I suspect your Immigration Office wanted to see your bankbook (or copies) only to verify that the ending balance equaled what the bank letter said. As Siam Andy said, Chiangmai Immigration (for annual extension based on retirement) requires both the standard bank letter (showing the account name and balance) and a 12-month statement (supposedly so they can check that you maintained the proper amounts for the proper time periods).

Sure you can, there's even a righthand turn lane there by the traffic light (unless that's been very recently changed). As to whether that's a faster route to the airport on a given day, maybe.

Make sure you immediately check your entry stamp at the immigration booth so that you're sure the officer stamped you in for the proper amount of time (until expiration of your current extension). If there's any error, politely tell the same officer of the problem and he/she should fix it right then.

#2. An extension will never be granted beyond the expiration date of your passport. In your case, your new extension date will be June 1st (and, presuming you have your new passport by then, you'll get the usual 12 months starting from June 1st). #3. Many countries and airlines require a minimum of 6 months validity with a passport. Bottom-line and to avoid all issues, get your new passport now (as soon as you can) and go get your stamps transferred to your new passport (they'll insert stamps which detail your prior passport info and your original/latest Non-O data....along with any re-entry stamp if you have one).

Only one 30-day extension is available for either a visa exempt entry or a tourist visa entry. When somebody applies for an extension they are not entitled to, oftentimes the best one gets is a 7-day time period to leave the country. That's an "extension" which is likely subject to the discretion of the immigration officer (although commonly given to people in the same situation).

Looks like your list is fairly complete and would only note: (1) For bank stuff, you need the standard bank letter (one that simply recites what account you own and what the balance is as of that date) AND the one-year statement (at SCB you can get both at the same time although I keep reading that you have to order something 5-7 days ahead at Bangkok Bank). I remain puzzled as to whether CM requires one to show a bank transaction the same day as your bank letter date but I do it (add 100 baht or so) as I've read several posts where other immigration offices have required same. Make sure the amount on your bank letter and one-year deal state the exact same amount. I always get the bank stuff the day before application and that's been fine (although I've read that one can do that up to 5 or so days ahead here in CM). (2) For passport copies, all I used to need was a photocopy of the photo/info page, the current extension, and the page showing the last entry date; however, this time (Dec 2022), they also required a photocopy of one's latest Non-O (in my case, that meant a copy of the transfer stamps in my new passport as that shows the latest Non-O info). I tend to take the kitchen sink with me as I never know what they might ask for. For example, about 4 years ago, the lady immigration officer demanded a photocopy of every filled-out page of my passport (including stamps from other countries) and she seemed to make that request with the hope I'd go away (however, after politely questioning her as to why same was required - given she was the same officer I used the prior year and didn't need it then - it seemed to disappoint her when I reached into my folder and produced the copies she requested). Remember, neatly print your telephone number below your signature on the TM7 and sign everything in blue ink.

Yes, you use the TM7 form to obtain a 30-day extension (from exempt entry or Tourist Visa) and the charge is 1,900 baht. I don't know if photo copying is available at Central Festival as I've never had to make copies there.

Glad to see CM Immigration is following the very rules adopted in June 0f 2020 (which say there is no need to do anything with one's TM30 filing if returning to one's TM30 registered address from a domestic or international stay); notwithstanding, that doesn't mean somebody checking online TM47 filings isn't going to occasionally reject an online filing (because a Thai hotel filed a TM30 for you) or a that a given immigration officer on a given day feels like adopting a different rule.

No TM6 when I flew in to CNX from Laos 6 days ago.

Last month I used the fill-in (editable) form and typed my TM7 on my computer for my annual extension (retirement) here in CM. No issue (nothing was said about that to me and I've done the same for a lot of years).

As I mentioned before, it's hit or miss in CM as to whether whoever is reading the online TM47 filings decides to reject the filing because a hotel (or whoever) in Thailand has filed a TM30. Even in that case, I can still file the TM47 in person (neither the main office or Central Festival cares about the TM30 apparently) but, to be able to start up again with the TM47 online filings, I had to go to the office behind the main office, tell them what happened, and they updated it (they only wanted to see my passport to get this "update"). What's frustrating is the the occasional "hit" seems to directly contradict the rules they published 3 years ago. Oh, and returning from abroad back to my regular address , I've had no problem continuing with the TM47 online filings (probably because no new TM30 was filed out side of Thailand).

I too have wondered what happens to people needing some immigration service where they need a TM-30 Receipt but their hotel (or, more often, a landlord) refuses to do one. I'd guess that telling an Immigration Officer that would get somebody nowhere. I've read many posts over the years where this has happened but don't recall any such poster following up and subsequently explaining what happened or how the problem was resolved.

Sorry, like Novacova, I don't know anybody who's done that. It makes no sense to me that you can't do it in CR provided you've changed your TM-30 registered address to CR; however, like I said before, I have zero clue as to the local rules/practice in CR (let alone the rules/practice of a given officer there).

I'm presuming you are seeking a one-year extension based on retirement and, yes, there's no doubt you will be required to present a copy of a TM-30. You obtaining a printout of the TM-30 filing from your 1-night stay here in CM will suffice (ask right up front if the hotel will do the filing and, if not, go find another hotel that will do so). Once you're set there and go back to Chiangrai, you're going to want to do a TM-30 filing there so you're fine for future matters (that's presuming you stay in Chiangrai). And ask the IO in CR if you need to do anything else (such as filing any other address change document.....I only mention this as I don't know what CR requires). And, once you extend here in CM, see if they give you a new TM-47 (90-day address Receipt of Notification) with a new date for reporting because, if they don't, then you'd be wise to report 90-days from your last entry (or whatever your current Receipt of Notification says). As poster said above, they should be giving you a new Receipt and date. (P.S. I'm rather doubtful any CM Immigration Officer participates in this forum).

Real nice. As I said, I got in the short line to one before the line people's table. Was only a couple of people ahead of me and and it took 5-7 minutes or so.

All my paperwork was in order and the tent person quickly scanned through them and gave me a queue number. My mentioning that I had an appointment didn't seem to make any difference. I'm not sure what you mention about a "tent queue number" as I just went up to the people up front and somewhat wormed my way to a window after a few minutes. If they're giving queue numbers just to see the "tent people", I skipped that process and jumped in a short line before the tent people tables.

I had an appointment (for annual extension based on retirement) December 7th and went immediately to the central counter as I did the prior year; however, they then told me I first had to go to the outside "tent" and get a queue number from the people there before returning to the central counter. Was almost late for the appointment. And, yea, I was not thrilled about it. My advice to those having an appointment is to get there at least a half hour early as it takes some time to get through the hordes getting initial approval and queue numbers from the outside group.

From Google: "The full list of 22 countries temporarily exempt from K-ETA are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macao, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, UK, US (including Guam)." Would note I don't see Thailand in that list (i.e., I have zero clue what requirements involve your Thai wife). The K-ETA is easy to do online and allows entry without having to fill out the arrival card. I applied for one 4 months ago and had it within 3 days.

Given the two holidays since you applied, not surprising you're still waiting for it. Hopefully it'll come in the next few days. But, given you say you're only staying 2 months, you can always come in visa exempt and get 30 days and then get another 30-day extension at Immigration (or, alternatively, do the border hop you mentioned). Either way, you'll be good for 60 days.

Supposedly available other places but not sure if the VFS thing is working in CM.

Can't help with a specific place but almost all the furniture shops (ones selling wood/teak chairs, tables, carvings, etc.) likely could handle both safely packaging and shipping it for you. Years ago (as in 2 decades), I had teak furniture shipped back to the US but it was handled through the shop I bought the stuff at Baan Tawai. Took about 3 months and, as expected, shipping was a bit more than the 4 large items shipped. A few years later, I bought an approximately 3.5' x 30" rather delicate teak carving and had that shipped by wherever (I forget) I bought it (and it arrived in fine shape). Not sure where you bought your item but maybe that shop is used to handling shipping or at least could recommend a place.

You use the TM7 form for the 30-day extension. Under reasons, just put in Continuing Tourism.

The really only valid argument to use an agent is because somebody would like to reduce the stress a bit or because somebody just doesn't know what non-bank documents/copies are needed (or simply doesn't want to bother gathering same). Time spent is really isn't a valid point unless, I suppose, if one doesn't have an appointment and has to sit there for hours. (1) We likely both spend the same time getting the paperwork from our banks (unless agents do that for you?). (2) Takes me about an hour to fill out the TM7 (which I do on the computer and print out), make the necessary copies, and sign the stuff..... all of which I do at home. People using agents usually have to go to their agent's office with their bank paperwork and passport and then wait while they prepare the various paperwork and copies so they can sign the TM7 and copies there. (3) On the operative date, we both make our way to the Immigration office (people using agents sometimes make their way to their agent's office and the agent drives them to Immigration although some others have the agents pick them up at their home and drive them to Immigration). I presume we both go home from there (although I know some people end up back at their agent's office and go home from there). (4) I'm guessing you're at Immigration for 15-20 minutes or so whereas I have spent an additional 20-25 minutes the last two extensions (40 min total). Being retired, the extra 20-30 minutes once a year is tolerable to me. (5) We both pay 1,900 baht. You pay the agent whatever. I don't criticize anybody using an agent or argue that using one or the other is better, ultimately time-saving, or cheaper. Like you said, doing it yourself or using an agent is in the "up to you" category.

Nope, no appointments at Central Festival immigration office. Only at the main office near the airport.

For my annual extension based on retirement about 3 weeks ago, I had an appointment at 10AM and was walking out the door with my extension at 10:40. I can handle that once a year.....and it's relatively inexpensive (only had to buy myself lunch afterwards). In the future, I'll get the re-entry permit at the airport and avoid the wait.