DrJack54

More importantly were they obtaining their covid extensions?

Free.

Which immigration office. The rules regarding requirements for TM30 were changed June last year. Edit: not last year but 2020 as per uj correction below. This link from ubonjoe. https://aseannow.com/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=689586

The bank letter does not take long and the bank should know what you require. Best to make small transaction deposit/withdrawal at same time as obtaining the letter and doing so on day of application. (Letter can be obtained prior) Also recent reports that Nong Khai required bank statements for the 12 months. Someone dealing with NK can confirm.

I would doubt that unless you could get a flight from Saigon to CM that did not involve via Bangkok. Pre covid that was a common route Saigon direct to CM.. Yes your quarantine is 10 nights. 7 nights vaccinated.

My experiences re Saigon consulate are long ago however have always kept an eye on reports regarding that consulate as I (pre covid) traveled to Saigon monthly. Anyway the process (pre covid) was to drop your application off AM and pick up next day PM. Similar to many other places. The office is not far from Bui Vien so it's convenient. Re threads for assistance be aware yes this forum and also the is a "covid" dedicated forum.

@JimmyJ be aware that you will also require 10 nights quarantine.

My first step would be to obtain the order that is about TM30. This rule changed in recent times. Think it was March last year. Yes I would take it to immigration and show them. In any event join my ignore list. (again)

No point in continuing. Reentry permit is 1000baht for single and 3800baht multiple. Seems to me you don't even know what you paid for and what you were fined.

@HashBrownHarry Rather than a laugh emoji you could indicate your immigration office as to give a heads up to others using same office. As for the fine...not filing a TM30 when required is generally 800baht.

Which immigration office? That is clearly incorrect on their behalf. BTW 2000baht is not typical fine for not filing a TM30, which BTW you were not required to.

Your post is not clear. If you enter Thailand with reentry permit you are not required to file a TM30. If you entered with new visa or visa exempt you would need to file a TM30. You entered Thailand 5 times? With what? A reentry permit.

AseanNow. Rest assured there are MANY folks awaiting any announcements concerning Covid extensions post Jan 25. On past form the Thai authorities announce this very late. Jan 25 is a Tuesday. Fingers crossed.

Hopefully zero issues. You have had a very yoyo experience from your earlier posts when back in Oz. Hopefully at some point you could do a report of your whole experience. Esp any pitfalls.

Thanks. Never was aware of that. Can they obtain 30 day extension. Assume possible.

No. Each entry on visa exempt or tourist visa you can obtain ONE 30 day extension. Since the test and go has been suspended indefinitely it's not inconceivable that visa exempt could return to 45 days however would be extremely surprised. The 45 days goes back to when the quarantine period was 14 days. It's not part of your question but be advised to keep eye on covid extensions due to end Jan 25 but may/should be continued.

I can understand your panic however in a normal situation where you are aware of need to obtain a reentry permit, I can assure you that it's a very quick painless exercise. I never even bother obtaining one at CW after my extension since it's at different desk and personally find the airport option a dream. Your experience is due to not being prepared. Bit surprised that the io at passport control didn't pick it up at departure and this also applies to the OP. They often alert folk with an extension permit and no reentry permit.

Here is example of one thread. It was question about visa exempt entry but some informed relevant. You might find useful.

30 days. Can be extended by 30 days.

Just one person's opinion.....I believe 99%

You can travel around Thailand as much as you want. Also exit Thailand and reenter you only need to file a TM30 if you change your address or reenter Thailand with new visa or visa exempt.

No TM30 required. Do nothing.

There are MANY threads regarding requirements for entry. We also have "sandbox" entries however being unvaccinated I believe these would not be available to you. Suggest do some general research on the threads. My experience with tourist visas is pre evisa. I can advise that Saigon consulate is a friendly helpful place to obtain tourist visa. Located District 1. You may need to fly out of Saigon to Bangkok. Again I'm out of touch with flights out of Vietnam. I don't recall one report of trip your panning so thinking much of the info you will need to collect yourself. Just did random search Saigon to Bangkok. No direct flights. Not nice.

You can obtain a tourist visa 60 days. That can be extended by 30. After that you would need to rely on covid extensions if they are continued. From your tourist visa entry you could obtain a non O based on retirement. That gives a 90 day permit but would require 800k baht in Thai bank account on day of application. The next step would be extension based on retirement 12 months. Where are you located in Vietnam. You can also enter visa exempt. That would work if covid extensions continue. They are due to end Jan 25. We will know soon if extended or not. You can also obtain non O retirement from visa exempt entry. My guess is that covid extensions will continue post Jan 25. You also need to check out all the requirements to enter Thailand currently. This will involve quarantine etc.

The 30 "tourist visa" you refer to is visa exempt entry that gives you 30 day permit. Not all countries are able to obtain visa exempt entry. Some folk need to obtain "Visa in arrival" Tourist Visa is a visa that gives you 60 day permit. Which country are you from?