DrJack54

I stated "obscure option" meaning it certainly wouldn't be a common suggestion. The taxi to Nong Khai is from airport. However cheaper option would be by minivan. Previously I would fly most often with AirAsia from DMK. That airline not necessarily the cheapest now. Mini vans run from central plaza and sometimes from airport. It's one hour and a straight flat drive. As for bar area if you Google "Top Mansion hotel" that is located in the bar street. Many good cheap hotels there.. There is one set of bars known as "Day Night" same street.

Reads to me that you have never used the 60 day extension to visit wife.. Especially as you seem unaware of that option. You cannot extend for "few weeks" It's a 60 day extension.. 1900 baht.

Have you previously used 60 day extension to visit wife. That would provide enough time to season the 400k for two months. If you have used that extension ....the best option would be to border bounce and reenter visa exempt and obtain non O marriage at your immigration office. To apply for non O the 400k only needs to be in the account on day of application. The subsequent extension requires the funds in bank for 2 months. The 90 day stamp from the non O provides enough time to obtain extension. You would apply in last 30 days with minimum 15 days remaining on your permission of stay. As always consult with your immigration office and ask for flexibility

Think it's just a thing that annoys me.. Some folk staple their 90 report receipt in pp. Some also TM30. Also TM6 by io when they were being issued. It's nuts. Wednesday I go for my annual extension. I will not present report receipt. Nothing to do with extensions. I will not provide a TM30 as I have never done one since living in Thailand. This will be at CW and I will do a report for others. Of course with anything, I always ask with respect.

That is because the passport is the property of the French government. It's a silly habit that some Thai immigration officers do.

Big statement. Immigration should not staple anything into a passport. The fact that they do (especially in Thailand) does not make it correct.

Remove anything stapled into your passport. In fact tell io not to do that.

What is surprising is that of course this is a very common thing that needs to be done. So many threads re going to immigration to have the stamps and visa information transferred. I find it amazing that more folk don't have it done at the airport. BTW which airport transferred the stamps etc. I traveled for 6 months out/in Thailand every month with both passports and that option was never even hinted at.

That's what you posted in OP. A TM7 is for 12 month extension to your non O marriage. Turns out your wife is going to file a TM30. Not remotely close apart from fact you will provide the TM30 when you apply for 12 month extension in 2 months time. Assuming that is your intention

Your post is very confusing. If you had a non O visa (based on retirement) then your first 12 extension starts your 90 day count for reporting. Is that the case? Meaning your current extension is your first. Apart from that 90 day reporting has zero to do with annual extensions.

Extension based on retirement? 12 month extension. Have you had the required 800k baht in Thai bank account in your name only for 2 months +. The fee is 1900baht for extension. There are also other requirements Edit: just saw your other thread and mention Thai Wife. You will not require 800k in bank for 2 months but 400k

Clearly you don't require any onward flight.

I was specifically dealing with OP question. You are correct in that if the funds have been in the bank for "quite some time" the immigration officer will in the main not be concerned with asking to see transfer codes (FTT) to show funds are from abroad. However this can be hit and miss. Recent post where someone in same situation was told to obtain records of origin of funds even they funds had been in bank for a year +.

Lot of mucking about. If your desired destination is Bangkok, I would fly to BKK.

So you were entering visa exempt. As pointed out by others and myself....the OP should obtain a tourist visa

Depends on available routes.

Bank account has nothing to do with 90 day report. You may be thinking of Jomtien.

Obtain a tourist visa and enter at BKK.

Keep it simple. For a non O retirement obtained inside Thailand the money must come from abroad. For non O retirement obtained outside of Thailand there is no such requirement. For annual extensions to a non O there is no requirement to show funds came from abroad. Back to OP: If you are already in Thailand with funds that you bought into country in cash. Just deposit into Thai bank. You can then go to (example) Vientiane and obtain a non O retirement and back to Thailand and when funds have been seasoned for 2 months apply for 12 month extension.

The OP tried for a non O based on retirement (not a non O-A). The non O retirement would have required 3 month insurance. No insurance required for ongoing extensions. Aside: OP, do you have a Thai bank account in your name only.

And why not use a forum to find out. He can name office and most likely obtain first hand experience reply. BTW not everyone is handy to an immigration office.

Most folk apply for extension couple of weeks prior to expiry on stamp. Can be done up till expiry date but not good idea. You require a TM7 form with photo. Most likely also a TM30. Your choice of border bounce from Bangkok is also down to personal preference. Personally I don't like vans and buses. One obscure option would be flight to Udon Thani (cheap) and one hour (straight road) to Nong Khai. That is a good crossing. I also like to stay at Udon Thani bar area (cheap accom) but all that is just personal choice.

Think the folk that use Zone 1 have fast track due to business class or whatever. I'm not a fan but they enter fast track and then walk to Zone 2. Special folk.

You are splitting hairs. Not long prior to covid there was a "crack down" on repeated visa exempt entries and even tourist visa entries at both Bangkok airports DMK being the worst. Again....post your situation and receive more detailed advice .

Old news and regurgitated info. Mainly due to some rubbish at Bangkok airports prior to covid. We haven't had enough reports of how immigration will deal with those in Thailand on extended stay over recent years with covid extensions. Regarding the OP, he should be fine entering thailand with a visa having been out for 2 months +. IMO the op should fly to Bkk airport. The other suggestions are convoluted and difficult.