DrJack54

I have never been faced with corrupt immigration officials.

Depends on the service. Annual extension eg retirement would be obtained up country.. Covid extensions would be obtain in Bangkok if that's where you reside.

You started this thread previously. Most likely nothing has changed.

Yes

What visa do you suggest he can obtain at local immigration office. That's sorta funny.

I know very little re medical extensions. The friend I mentioned has daughter here (he is not biological father). Needing to stay till December at that point turning 50 and can obtain non O retirement.

Thinking that's the sensible thing to do, however not everyone can isolate. Especially Thai living in group situation be that family or otherwise..

OP, how long do you wish to remain in Thailand. A friend of mine is moving to medical extension via agent in anticipation that covid extensions will not be available after March 25.

There have been threads asking for recommendation re agents in Pattaya (for various extensions) There are several good agents in Pattaya. Thinking that you should try obtain yourself first and if have issue consider agent.. I have sent you pm.

If you had flu like symptoms would you even bother with a rapid test and if positive would you bother reporting it. No offense meant towards the helpful members posting daily figures, however the reported positives is small fraction of daily positive numbers.

Might be better idea for you to post a helpful reply. You don't have any useful input then move along. I asked OP for his immigration office to advise of agents in that area along with any reports regarding that office.

This thread has post from @audaciousnomad and points out that Philippines is worth considering.

Had report from chap refused at two immigration offices and then obtained a covid extension with ThaiVisaCentre. It wasn't cheap. You entered with TV you should try first without agent. Which immigration office?

It should be straight forward. Please report back with your experience. Have not read any reports recently regarding covid extensions. Many folk are looking for current updates.

I looked yesterday and also the "visas for other countries" forum. Couldn't find current info. The OP question I think is of interest to many. Think it's March 15 that was date for "Vietnam welcomes back tourists" I can't anything with clear entry requirements. OP, given that your permit ends March 18, you may be better off to plan for Phnom Penh.

No

Read your OP few times and still not clear. How much did you pay immigration for the extension. Nevermind the cost of bank letter. Should have been 100 baht. Extensions cost 1900baht. Seems your paperwork was not in order. BTW, I posted the comment about the couple that paid 5,500 baht each to bypass the embassy letter for covid extension at Hua Hin. True, immigration offices (some) use tactics to encourage use of agents. So how much did you pay.

You can apply for Thailand pass before you exit Thailand.

The OP stated this...... " went to Immigration on February 8th to extend my Non O based on retirement"

OP, I'm going to give the new online system a go next time. Have been using mail in option. My most recent 90 report receipt received few days ago. Turn around time over 6 weeks. This time no return of my photocopies which previously had been posted back. Divorce time from "mail in option". The love has gone.

If you end up going to Saigon pm me and will cover some details. Think @Caldera post sums up your options well.

Do you qualify for visa exempt entry to Vietnam. That would be my choice 100%. Saigon. Edit: just saw your UK. Easy choice. Vietnam

How many folk are experiencing flu like symptoms and are not running off to obtain a rapid test.

Many countries (64 in fact) can enter Thailand visa exempt and be stamped in for 30 days. (some longer). Those same people can enter Thailand via land borders visa exempt twice per calendar year. Note this refers to visa exempt entry. They can also enter with a visa. The visa exempt entries via air have no such limit.. The difficulty is that immigration can challenge back to back ongoing entries visa exempt. Folk have been refused entry for this prior to covid. Some airports worse than others. In fact in recent years DMK seemed to have a crackdown regarding this. No idea what the future holds when travel becomes more simple.

Stop. There is a limit of 2 VISA EXEMPT entries via land borders per calendar year. (for the 64 countries I mentioned previously).