FARANG KIWI

Two come to mind immediately that I use: Chiang Khong & Chong Mek.

That's a NO to extend at local Thai Immigration office. I personally follow the Savanakhet route - with 400K I can invest that amount and make multiples more than approx 1% in a 'risky' ( IMHO ) Thai Bank for 1 year!

I found it was just a case of going Bank to Bank to Bank untill one of them said Yes! As you mentioned I also took my Wife along and 1 Mill in cash!! Sure both of those helped my chances....

I was in the same situation 15 years ago. You do not say where you are but if in Bangkok try Bangkok Bank on Sukumvitt Road ( near Soi 8 ) They were Tourist friendly to me in opening!

Drove to Chong Mek Border with Laos this morning with the Thai wife. We thought we would do something different and use her Thai Passport as she came for the bounce with me. For me NO issues at all with the crossing into Laos, turn around and come back into Thailand. On this occasion I took $US 40.00 ( 4 x Crisp & New $10 notes ) - Accepted at Laos and no more money requested anywhere. As for the wife who usually pays the 20 Baht for a Border Pass on providing her Thai Passport at Laos Immigration Arrival desk she was asked for 100 x Thai Baht. Everyone else was also paying 100 x Thai Baht - quite a 'rort' going on!! OK lesson learnt - Next time Thai Border Pass 🙂 The Thai Immigration officer at Thai Arrival must have been his Birthday - He was smiling and told the 3 x Farang's in the queue as he dealt with them that "you can extend this Visa stamp at your local immigration office"!! A great all around experience...... Edit: Spelling

Exactly..... for me two main reasons... 1) I do not currently trust Thai banks & 2) There is SO Much more I can do and earn with 800K Thai Baht!!

Great report - thanks 🙂

Was travelling by Inter-City bus today from Udon Thani to Korat. The bus made a planned stop at Khon Kaen new Bus Station for 20 minutes. Whilst sitting on the bus, Immigration Police ( written on the back of their Jackets ) came on board the bus and came straight up to me, only ( the only Farang on the bus ) They asked where I was going and passport please... Lucky I was carrying my Passport on this occasion and of course my Visa is 'Current'. 🙂 They took a photo 'Selfie' of them holding my Passport and left.... Just a cautionary tail - if you are travelling by Bus through Khon Kaen bus station - make sure you have your Passport on you and that you are 'Legal'!!

Yep I only became aware of this during my visit earlier on this week, so it is new to me as well and I have not used it yet. You make your booking Online, then when you arrive at Immigration you go straight to 'Window 3' the Right Hand Side window. The person at Window 3 checks your papers and when correct gives you your queue number to see Immigration Officer. Where this system really helps is if there is a random turn up, you will get priority because of your booking time. I would assume this way Immigration know how many planned people are coming in any one day and can plan for that!! Who knows... If this is a trial and successful - it may become the only and new normal way to visit!

The below website is useful for booking appointment times Online and being seen in a timely manner at Korat Immigration. >> https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/ Works really smoothly and you will get Email confirmation from the office. Hope this assists even one person...

Your visa will stay valid for permission to be in Thailand untill 23.59 on Monday 01st Jan 2024

Is there a reason that you cannot do your Land Crossing on 01st Jan 2024? No Airport at Chiang Khong.... I guess Chiang Rai would be the closest.

They have changed the rules on us again! Went to do the usual 60 Day Extension based on Marriage this morning. Now the Kor Ror 22 MUST be less than 365 days old or it will no longer be acceptable. What this meant this morning was we have to nip to the Central Amphur and request a newly issued Kor Ror 22 for the princely sum of 20 Baht! ( 2 x signed copies provided ) Everything else stayed the same form wise..... Trust this may assist even just one person :)

Exactly. Never mentioned never asked for. Same experience at Chong Mek.

27th Nov 2023 was a Laos Holiday. They do charge more at Weekends and on Thai \ Laos holiday days... https://www.officeholidays.com/countries/lao/2023