Caldera

Just looking at the ridiculous photos of very important little men in uniforms, you can't help but think that this is yet another dog and pony show that will accomplish very little.

(My) Opinion: At 100, Henry Kissinger is a war criminal who still hasn't been tried for his crimes. Not holding my breath though.

Very unlikely at best.

It's not unusual for immigration to demand to see your wife (if currently on marriage extension) or child one last time when making that change to retirement extension.

That's a despicable announcement. I've never had any illusions about the guy, but that he openly sides with those traitors shows that he's got zero respect for the rule of law.

Very little seems to work in the Russian military. Which is a blessing, considering just how war-mongering the Russian leadership is nowadays.

I doubt it. Firstly, Thailand isn't great for palliative care. Secondly, why would someone in this situation even care about overstay?

With this quibbling about posts they aren't exactly off to a great start!

One thing's for sure, you can't trust 90% of the numbers that organizations like ATTA or TAT circulate.

I think the new government's actual impact on the economy will be quite limited, because there are important long-term factors at play: demographics (an aging population), education (needs a complete overhaul), infrastructure (needs a complete overhaul as well) and household debt. What their attitude and policies towards expats will be remains to be seen. If they're serious about anti-corruption, the retirement visa agent racket would be a likely target.

The new government might feel inclined to give the armed forces what they deserve (based on past performance), not what they want. I wouldn't blame them.

I've got a subscription for a certain number of devices concurrently using Netflix. If they'll make a fuss because myself and members of my household are traveling frequently, thus obviously using Netflix in different locations on occasion, I'll simply cancel the subscription.

Maybe he should retire and devote all of his time to his watch collection.

Are they going to keep making a splash about each and every wave? Other countries have long moved on.

Yes, it's open.

It's more or less just theater.

Become a failed state? It has been a failed state for years already.

How about respecting the people's vote, is that really asking too much?

Here's a novel idea for those unelected dinosaurs. Just follow the lead of the voters, their message is loud and clear.

For real change to happen, going after Thailand's oligarchs and dismantling their empires would be pretty much a necessity.

Or maybe you've been on the sauce. What is the point you're actually trying to make?

Well deserved, that was a total disgrace.

I kind of get your first point, but as you'd need those 800k a year later again anyway, using an agent looks like a better solution for anyone who struggles with the financials. Never having to visit a local immigration office, BUT having to stamp out and back in every 90 days. Unless someone travels frequently anyway, I really struggle to see that as a benefit. Which offices are "rogue" with regards to the requirements for retirement extensions anyway?

That doesn't make sense. If you qualify for a Non-O visa, you wouldn't want to get extensions based on attending school later. If you do go the ED route, double-check that you can actually stay as long as you've indicated. Chonburi Immigration used to count the 1 year limit for studying at an informal school from your actual entry into Thailand. Unless that has changed, you can't get 3 months (Non-ED visa) plus 12 months worth of extensions on top of your original permission to stay.

A TM30 would be pointless, as it's for your previous stay. A hotel booking should be alright, maybe someone can advise what their current requirement is. In the good old days, a hotel booking for the first night would have been sufficient, just to confirm the address you put on the application form. But they might require more nowadays, same as other nearby embassies and consulates.