DrJack54

It's the responsibility of the airline that you travelled with however in most cases you are "pressured" to pay for a ticket out. That destination almost certainly is where your inbound flight originated from or if not possible due to visa issues etc you would fly to your passport country..

Jomtien?

Incorrect. The requirement to maintain the funds in bank (800k) for 3 months after the extension application and then not below 400k and back up to 800k two months prior to next application is checked when the following application application is made. There is NO requirement to return to immigration office 3 months after extention is granted. You have misinterpreted the requirements.

The tourist visa is overnight process. Apply am and pick up next day PM. You need to make appointment at Vientiane. https://thaivisavientiane.com/

I don't have any questions. As for your account of entering thailand visa exempt and then obtaining non O based on retirement and subsequent 12 extension... That is a common pathway and outlined in many threads. No need for you to have paid 8000baht. The non O is 2k and extension 1900baht. No need to obtain reentry permit when you do your extension for "just in case reasons" .... Reentry permit is available at airport at time of departure. Quick simple process. 1000 single reentry permit and 3800 multiple.

You don't need to extend the 45 day stamp. You apply for a NEW non O retirement. As stated above that non O will give you a 90 day stamp and you will have the 800k in the account on the day you apply. In the last 30 days of that permit , with the funds having been in the bank for 2 months you apply for your 12 month extension (it's not a retirement visa) . This process is done often when folk make error with financial requirements. Not a big deal.

If you exit Thailand without a reentry permit that will end your non O. You could reenter visa exempt (border bounce) and receive 45 day stamp (after Oct 1) and apply for a non O with 800k in bank on the day you apply.. Subsequently obtain a 12 month extension 2 months later. In other words ....start over. Not difficult.

Minor point first up. Dont use the term "visa on arrival" as that does exist for some nationalities but being USA you are entitled to " visa exempt entry". If you return December you will be stamped in for 45 days. It has been increased to 45 from Oct 1 till end of March 2023 So visa exempt with extension gives 45 days. You can also do 2 border runs per calendar year and obtain extensions for those. You mention desire to travel and places such as Saigon is a great place to chill and the handy Thai consulate good place to obtain a tourist visa. Eventually if you want to live in Thailand the best options are non O followed by annual extensions. Either married or retirement (if over 50) . That has financial requirements. Both can be obtained via entry to Thailand with visa exemption and tourist visa entry. You will find many folk suggest don't go down the non O-A path due to insurance requirement.

If your friend has a tourist visa the airline will not ask for onward flight.

Currently you have stamp in your passport "admitted untill" date. To push that date out you could apply for 60 day extension and a reentry permit. Have your trip out and return prior to your new until date. IMO all very messy. Must be pressing reason to not obtain extension prior to trip. Yes you will have an under consideration period but think you mentioned your current permit ends soon. Strange especially given you don't even know where you want to go.

First up your non O visa cannot be extended. Visas are not extended. The permission of stay from that visa can be extended. Very different and something you don't understand. The information from your original non O visa would have been transferred in first page of new passport. You don't have a visa. It was "used" long ago. You have extentions based on a non O. In order to protect that extension if you exit Thailand you require a reentry permit. Damn lucky that Thailand provides that option. Next month I go to Vietnam with single entry tourist visa. Currently multi entry visa not available. I cannot obtain a reentry permit so it's a single use gig. As far as the io wanting to see the original non O visa, that is possible. I suggest folk keep their passports or at very least take photocopy of the original non O visa.

In that case you can apply for 60 day extension to visit wife. 1900baht. That keeps your window alive to obtain your 12 month extension based on marriage.

Here is pretty recent topic regarding Nong Khai. It's a visa run but entry visa requirements to Laos etc there. some useful tips there.

You dont need to go to Vientiane for a border bounce. You would go to Vientiane if you were applying for a visa. You can do it all at the bridge crossing. If you decide to do this route then there (previously) minivan from airport to Nong Khai. If not available there is bus Depot near Central Plaza and minivan departures front of Central Plaza. The UT is chill joint for a beer. The bars are also located stone throw from CP.

Wich visa? A non O based on retirement or marriage. Both have requirements

Correct. He did not mention being married. Fact is mentioned his extension from non O due soon. So he is either married or retired or both.

The OP stated that he had a reentry permit in pp so he didn't have valid visa rather was on extension with reentry permit . That allowed him to exit and reenter Thailand. The OP has zero understanding of a permission of stay vs a visa. He is still asking what is the purpose of a reentry permit.. Which is sorta strange as if did not have one he would have lost his permission of stay and been stamped in for 30 days visa exempt. Seriously crazy thread. Has been explained several times with zero understanding from OP.

If non O based on marriage can obtain 60 day extension. If based on retirement then no 60 day extension is available. Strongly suggest that you obtain the new extension prior to your trip. Also reentry permit.

Most likely you have already looked at fall back option. With visa exempt entries shortly to become 45 days you could consider them. When you know the end date for your current permission of stay. Might even be possible to obtain couple this year and then two next year with extensions.

Good tip re onward flight from airport you arrive in Thailand. Note: onward bus/train ticket never been accepted. Must be an onward FLIGHT.

I would call it very useful. Ta.

Excellent report. Ta.

There are 2 different set ups at BKK and DMK. At BKK the reentry permit office is after security and prior to passport control. Zone 2. At DMK the office is just past passport control. You require TM8 with photo and basic copies from pp. Single 1000. Multi 3800. At BKK they provide a service to cover form, photo etc for 200baht.(tip) Simple quick process at airport.

I'm moving north.

You can obtain visa exempt entries via air and there is no written limit. Can become an issue when for example someone spends time in Thailand then basically fly's out and back in visa exempt. Some time spent out of Thailand would help.