buick

the re-entry permit desk is accessible BEFORE and AFTER the stamp out process. not a problem to get stamped out first and then go to the desk. you can get stamped out in any immigration hall and still access the desk, just walk airside and enter the hall with the desk from the backside and turn right, then left using a lane to the re-entry desk. if you are stamped out in the hall with the desk, you turn left, then left up the lane to the desk.

i think you are okay with (i) the bank book (ii) one copy of the pages in the bank book and (iii) the bank letter that confirms the balance in the account. if you've had the money in the bank for a long time, i don't think you need 5.3 (proof of transfer from abroad). i didn't need 5.3 when i did mine in 2021 (most recent). more recently people have been asked to provide monthly statements for the bank account. but i think that is when they apply for the one year extension. not the initial Non O.

have you seen this list of things you need for the 'change visa' process ? https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/wp-content/uploads/2022C1_09.pdf you will need to visit twice, you apply during the first visit and then get the stamp in the passport during the second visit.

when you say 'initial Non O', are you referring to a situation where you entered thailand visa exempt or on a tourist visa and would like to change/convert to a Non O at CW ? if so, that is done at the C desk which does not have much of a line. walk-in is fine.

i recall providing fingerprints from both hands once but all other times it has been just the right hand. and the thumb was not included. i flew in from Saigon in February and Hall 1 (? closest to E/F/G gates) was closed. so i also had to proceed to the Hall nearest A/B/C gates. this was a early evening arrival at BKK.

https://www.buriramunited.com/en/ticket

it is possible to access the re-entry permit desk AIRSIDE. you go up the ramp into the backside of the immigration hall. there are signs visible as you go up the ramp which will direct you to the desk.

OP - what was your time spent in Thailand over the last few years ? that's usually what gets you over to a desk for an interview, it isn't based on what happens during one year/12 months. i know from experience as i had to enter with tourist visa's for 5 years, waiting until i turned 50 to get the Non O and then one year extensions. i had two interviews at Suvarnabhumi during those 5 yrs, was let in both times. both interviews were conducted after i entered visa exempt, i knew the risk and, like you, i had a ticket out to my home country (USA) within the 30 days. they told me i had to enter with a tourist visa on the first interview but i rolled the dice a few times with visa exempt. they got me on one of those and i had the second interview. i was staying 6-8 months of the year in Thailand during those years (2013 to 2017).

when i post info on this topic, it seems to be rejected by a certain member (and now moderator). if a moderator does respond, it is most useful to explain the full spectrum of options. but that isn't the case here. i keep adding the other option and at times i get the 'confused' emoji from a certain member.

you're wrong. it is meant to be an option for anyone that chooses it. absolute nothing wrong with going into the hall with the re-entry desk and choosing to go through passport control first, then get the permit. you should try it sometime. it would be good if you could add this option to your repertoire. i had a funny one in jan 2023, i had been getting single re-entry permit since travel had been more difficult due to the virus. so i went to the desk (after going through fast track, TG business class area), and the gal explained i already had a multi !!! i forgot that i did the multi in Oct 2022 right after i got my annual extension. i'd had a few singles before that.

i'm well aware of that. a few years ago, i provided one of the first hand reports and you were cirticial of me doing such a thing (getting one post passport control). as if it was 'wrong'. Edit: you should get picture of the signs directing you to the re-entry permit desk from the airside of the airport. they are there as you exit a hall w/o the desk and they are there as you enter the backside of the hall that has the desk.

if i see a short line at the passport control desk, i go through it. i'm not going to wait the 10-20 minutes to get the re-entry permit and risk the line building to 5x what it was when i first walked in there. many people have no idea that you can do it after passport control. it would be good for the moderators/members on this site to provide this information to users of the forum when they help to explain the procedures of getting a re-entry permit at the airport. why ignore the fact that it can be done AFTER you pass passport control ?

it's best to tell people how it can be done (pre or post). they can decide. you've never tried it post immigration so can't comment on the experience.

i have. a few times i flew to Tokyo on my way to USA. those flights left at 7:00 and 7:30am. i was probably getting it about 5:30am.

while the re-entry permit desk is located in the passport control area, it is possible to obtain the permit after you've passed through passport control. you don't have to do it before you get stamped out of the country. i'm on an extension of stay based on retirement and always get it after i've passed through passport control. often i go through a different security/passport control hall and have to walk inside the airport to the hall with the re-entry desk. there are signs directing you where to go. edit - it usually takes about 10 minutes. i might of waited 20 min once.