MeePeeMai

I'll add that when using TransferWise, to avoid hassles and a possible refusal for your next extension, it should be coded as an FTT in your bank book (passbook).  This is accomplished by transferring it to your "Bangkok Bank" account and making sure that you always scroll down and click on the option "Funds For Long Term Stay in Thailand" as the "reason" for sending the money.

5 hours ago, billsmart said:

They did for me. I marked "Single Entry" on my application form, and when they asked me for my bank statements, I pointed out that I just wanted a single-entry, not multiple-entry, and they said they need them for either. Luckily, I had them because I wasn't sure because of the way the requirements were worded on their website, so I got them before I left.

This is the kind of valuable information that we can get from those with recent, 1st hand experience. 

There always seems to be something that they ask for (which isn't listed on their website under documents needed) and I would hate to show up there for my Non-O without a bank statement (for a single entry), and then be denied just because I was missing something as simple as that.

Thanks again for the detailed report Bill.

Thanks again Bill.

30 minutes ago, billsmart said:

I didn't have to worry about that since my wife was with me, and she has family in Udon Thani with whom she stayed.

I'd recommend you either drive up and stay the night in Nong Khai at a hotel, and then make arrangements with them to leave your car there and take a tuk-tuk to the border. Or, maybe you could make arrangements with a hotel there even if you didn't stay there.

 

I didn't see any places to leave your car at the border, but I didn't look for any.

Here is a website that has some information on that... 

 

https://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/parking-at-the-lao-border-t29317.html

 

Good luck!  ...Bill!

Thanks Bill, that was my plan (hotel in Nong Khai).

Do you know if the wife must be there with a foreign husband applying for a Non-O based on marriage?  My wife cannot get off from work so I must do it solo (if allowed).

Thank for all the info!!

On 12/14/2019 at 4:27 PM, billsmart said:

I hired a “handler” when I got out of my car and was glad I did.

Where did you leave your car? 

How much did they charge you for parking and was it a safe area to leave your vehicle? 

Thanks in advance Bill.

1 minute ago, jacko45k said:

Pretty rural....

Then I suspect that is the reason. Have you ever asked them or another Expat? Maybe someone else here has experience and will confirm or deny.

My wife asked them and they said "must come to office, no mail".  I haven't asked any other expats as I don't see many around here.  Thanks though.  I'll keep trying every 90 days, maybe it will majicaly start working someday in the future.

2 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Which office do you report to? Not all accept online reporting?

Do you have a new passport obtained in Thailand?

You can hardly be trying 'for months now', the window is only 7 days.

Chiang Khan, apparently not.

No, my passport was not obtained in Thailand, it is the original passport which I entered Thailand on for the past 4 years.

I've been trying for months now - as in all of my last three 90 day reports (about 8 months now) and yes I am aware of the window of opportunity for doing a 90 day report online.  Yes I was within that window everytime and yes it was during normal Immigration business hours and not on a weekend or a holiday.  Same results every time I try and I have tried probably 20 or 30 times now.

1 minute ago, Vacuum said:

Send it by mail.

My office says they don't yet accept them by mail.

I've been trying to do it online for months now using Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and no luck.  Always says to "see my nearest office".  So I do the 3 hour round trip to my nearest Immigration Office just to do my 90 day report or TM-30 every time.  It's a true merry-go-round.  

Here's a great song dedicated to Mary Jane, enjoy.

Since our USA passports are good for 10 years, I opted for the thick one (with 51 visa pages).  I knew it would be full in no time otherwise and I hate the hassle of getting a new one.

I guess this means that we'll have to go to the DLT Office (and pay) to get a traffic abstract now every time we renew our motor vehicle insurance.  I bet the Insurance companies are also going to raise rates for those with a deduction of points on their driving records. 

Sounds like a decent revenue generator for the DLT and the insurance companies to me. 

10 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

Yes, and all that gets left behind if they can get rid of him before he becomes a burden.

Sad but so true.

7 minutes ago, kurtmartens said:

I have had issues in the past with the 60 day extensions from Chiang Mai Immigration.  (I know the poster is in Pattaya.)  

What kind of issues? 

Just make sure you declare the items on the customs declarations form you must fill out before landing/immigration.  If you say that you have nothing to declare and try to exit via the "nothing to declare lane" (and get stopped) you will have a big problem. 

I recall recently someone got caught with 10 new cell phones in his bag and did not declare them.  He was arrested on the spot at the airport.  Like others have said, make sure the items will be compatible with the voltage here and it may be cheaper to just buy the items here (rather than bring them and pay the customs duty).

If married to a Thai then you can always get a 60 day extension to visit your Thai wife (though I don't believe this is an option after already being given a 30 day extension, but could be used after a border run... as mentioned above).

1 minute ago, saengd said:

To answer the earlier poster: I have no contacts at Immi. but the agent does, they took my passport to their contact who I presume looked at it and made a decision to allow the change, the total cost is broadly split between the agent and Immi..

I see, thank you for replying!

9 minutes ago, saengd said:

My local immigration has agreed to convert my O-A to an O based on marriage without having to leave the country

Please clarify, your local Immigration Office has agreed to convert your Non O-A (on which you currently have an extension based on retirement) to a NON O based on marriage?  If they have agreed to do this for you then why are you going to use an agent?  ...or did your local office recommend an agent to you to be able accomplish this? 

I am just curious because I am in the same boat (O-A) and plan on moving to an O based on marriage also.  My local office said that I MUST leave the country and then start the O based on marriage process.

17 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

I would surely prefer keeping my passport free of 'overstay' stamps.

Right!  (also gets you a lifetime ban on buying an Elite Visa at anytime in the future).

Not to mention that they can (and do) show up at your hotel and arrest you as occurred in the recent case of a gentleman on just a 5 day overstay... he was arrested and made to pose with the arresting officers on the front page news, so don't risk it!

15 minutes ago, craige1 said:

The initial 33 days I mentioned wont be a problem ?

If in doubt, stroll into your nearest Immigration Office and ask them (since they are the experts).  If they made a mistake at the airport, it is you that will be on overstay (regardless of the date in your passport).

1 hour ago, Destiny1990 said:

Are they aware expats are relocating to Vietnam, Phillipines because of this?

Their recent policy changes seem to be having the desired outcome so yes, they are aware of this fact. 

24 minutes ago, Tayaout said:

I think even if it's legal most police won't care even with a certificate. If you get caught or you urine get tested then they will probably try to extract 20K baht or more. If this happen to me they will get nothing and I will fight it in court. I'm doing everything by the book by using only what was prescribed by my doctor. I expect it won't go to court after they talk with my lawyer but you never know... 

It sounds like that could get expensive.  I applaud all of you picking up the ball and running with it so soon.  Good luck and safe travels!