DrJack54

No problem. Some border crossing require you to stay overnight. It's all legal. You are allowed 2 visa exempt entries via land per calendar year.

Do a border bounce and reenter visa exempt 45 days plus 30 day extension. You could even do that twice. As 45 day visa exempt is available till end of March.. Better option that exit/entry via air

OP, take notice of option ubonjoe pointed out end of his post. Thinking that's best option. No insurance and no ongoing insurance for extensions.

In previous years at some offices you had to provide picture of you and Thai wife sitting on bed. You can't make this stuff up. Fine if your a trained seal.

Couldn't agree more. If I was married and didn't wish to work and over 50..... I would do extensions based on retirement. Years ago I believe some even came into your home. Have neighbors as "witnesses" etc. I wouldn't put up with that rubbish .

Seems obvious to me, but I'm assuming that he wants to return to thailand after what he needs to do on 12th etc. If no intention of being in Thailand after the 12th, then he could just exit with very short overstay. Edit: just read op again. His plan is to reenter Thailand. Obvious what to do.

Think you made a typo. You mean entered on non O based on retirement.

He wasn't residing in Thailand previously.. I can understand him asking the company to reside in Thailand. Don't follow why that request would be the other way round.. In any event not important.

Only part of your post I'm bit confused about is the company specifically asking you to work based in THAILAND.. Having said that I cannot understand why you would have any issues. How would anyone know you are working. It's not as though you are in soi 4 selling ice cream. Keep your business to yourself.

Just an option. Lot of countries have visa exempt entry to Vietnam (15day). The cheapish flights from Bangkok to Saigon is a bonus. At front of airport there is bus that runs often to district 1 bus terminal. Cost $1usd The immigration office is close to Bui Vien st (walking street) very chill joint and lots of relax bars etc.. You need appointment now same at Vientiane. AM application PM pick up next day..

Starting to think you would be wasting your time with this situation (immigration officer) You do have alternatives. I'm bit of HCMC junkie. You could see it as opportunity to have a mini holiday. Obtain the non O in Saigon. Ripper place and the Thai consulate is efficient office. Vientiane is also overnight turn around for non O. Of course you could use your immigration office and obtain the seasoning time the io is demanding with a border run..

Why not border bounce now. Can be done in one day (depending on where you are located) Reenter with 45 day visa exempt stamp. Take care of your business on the 11-12th. If you wish to exit and reenter again after that, just buy a reentry permit to protect your permission of stay.

So, was that your first extension from the non O-A? Able to apply for the extension based on marriage?

I must be in the wrong on this as I was thinking that the FIRST extension needed to be based on what the non O was based on. However subsequent extensions can change to based on marriage or retirement. Perhaps I'm thinking of the first extension from a non O-A. As usual it comes down to the immigration office. ubonjoe has indicated "no problem" in his post and others agree.

Of course. That's a given. The airline may even insist your pp has 6 months validity..

Please update the forum as things unfold. There will be lot of folk interested in your outcome. Hopefully you can obtain correct procedure and not be scammed.

Can't understand idea of return to Laos, unless the intention is to obtain a non O at somewhere like Vientiane etc. You dismissed my suggestion of using agent to circumvent corrupt immigration officer. Fine spend more by traveling to Laos. Or straight up ask the fat lady price to grease the wheels. My guess is 5k

OP, you do not need anything. You may be asked standard questions such as where are you staying ....how long you plan to stay etc. Have replies organized. No proof will be required. If you are planning to provide onward flight to airline on departure either choose throw away flight or "rent a flight" Book within 30 days even though current visa exempt entry is 45 days.

Think you should give it a go. Reports such as yours I hate as the io is playing games. Hard to imagine the io is not aware of correct requirements. Just as you posted...I added to my previous post of doing another border bounce to season the funds. Another option also very inconvenient would be to use agent with you having the funds for the non O. Fortunately you have good agents in Pattaya. Maneerat Soi post office being one. Another (ugly) option would be to apply in another immigration office. CW for example but that's messy and would require TM30 (change of address)

This is one situation that i suggest you return to immigration and demand (in a nice way) to see supervisor. Obviously print out the correct rules from ubonjoe link above. As we all know .... immigration has the whip hand. Your fall back position would be to obey the masters and do another border run. Keep in mind the day of application you need 15 days remaining on you permit.

The office is located zone 2 past security check and prior to passport control. The have a service fee of 200baht at BKK airport to fill in form etc if you wish

Reentry permit with expire with current extension date. You can obtain the permit at CW or the airport on departure. 3800 baht multi entry

Dont understand any of that. For some reason to give up alcohol has nothing to do with money. More likely a health or lifestyle choice.

There is a forum on AseanNow "Health and Medicine" Sub forum "I drink too much" . That has mod @Sheryl who can point OP in right direction

You post this then state this ... "its ok m8. im on it now so may as well open the floodgates!" Floodgates?? 4/5 light beers per day is not remotely a heavy drinker. Double that amount and perhaps some would classify you as heavy drinker. I own up to bring heavy drinker however every one is different. Some (including myself) stopped with flick of switch. Went heavy to zero. For the habit side of booze I started drinking Heineken Zero. Still knocked off 6 a night watching bit of sport/movie etc.. Mind you that has calories so not so flash for weight loss.