Toolong

26 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

In reality the io most likely would accept photocopies of bank book pages for 2 months prior to application showing the 800+

 

The statements I had just got from bank for marriage ext. were actually 3 months, so if we had known about 2 month ret. ext option  BEFORE already submitting the marriage docs & paying, we would have and he'd maybe be ok with that, as you say.  But one of those things. A lesson learned! 😉

29 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Irrelevant what other think, the IO told you what he requires, and you apparently had it.  2 months statement of 'seasoned' funds in bank was enough for him at that office.  Since it was an extension and not a first time application, 2 months vs 3 makes sense.  

 

Bummer your wife didn't tell you, as could have went to bank, got statement returned, stamped & done.

Indeed a 'bummer', but to be fair, the IO only told her after submitting and paying for the marriage extension. So by then a bit late anyway! Not her fault. Oh, well. 😉

4 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

2 months statement is required for the 1st retirement extension.  The reason for the 12 months statement is to show that you fulfilled the financial requirements for the previous years extension, which in your case would not have applied.

Ah....I get it. Thanks, Upnotover!

That answers that! Now I know. 👍🙏

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Good summary.

There are many guys that while married to a Thai opt for extensions based on retirement for reasons you mention. 

 

You mention "intrusive" ...perhaps I'm odd in this regard in that the home visit would not sit well with me.

 

The OP should be aware that while he can change the basis on what the extension is based on from Retirement to marriage.

Note immigration prefer based on retirement as less work.

Fwiw....I've had marriage extensions for last 5 years, and now wish to change to retirement. 

Recently applied for marriage extension in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) and have to go back for PP stamp on April 1st. 

Here's the thing: had wanted to go for the retirement option and was under the impression that a 12 month bank statement was required. I couldn't get one from the bank on the day so just shrugged and went for the 3 month statement and the marriage extension.

After my application was submitted, and the fee was paid, the IO happened to ask my wife why I had not gone for the reitirement option. She explained that it was because I couldn't get the 12 month bank statement. So then he said 'No, No!' and told her I only need a 2 month statement (in my case, I have 800k+ in bank 3 months+). On the way out she tells me this and I feel like tearing my hair out in frustration!! 2 months! If that's true I could have got it.

So what's the point of this post? I guess  it's to see if you, Dr Jack, or anyone else...disagrees with the info the IO gave my wife about a 2 month statement being required and not a 12 month statement. Is he right? (Yes, I know, I should have double checked there and then but didn't. I did, however, note that if I want to change the extension to retirement any time after getting the PP stamp for marriage, it will cost me 2000 baht. (I do want to change, probably only a month or so into the new marriage extension!!! I know it makes no sense and I should just save money and do it right this time next year, but.....there you go! 😉)

But anyway.....just wondered what comments people may make about the 2 month/12 month bank thing. I apologise for kind of hijacking the original topic matter! 🙏🙏

On 2/5/2025 at 9:48 AM, impulse said:

Honest question.  I'm a cheap phone guy.  My current phone is a Samsung A05s, which seems to do everything I need.  Around 5000 baht (+/-).  

 

I'm wondering whether other people have found the extra features and speed of the higher end phones to be worth it, in their personal experience.  No wrong answers...  I realize it's a personal choice.  I'd just like some (preferably polite) input from people who aren't as cheap as me, and sprung for the higher end phones.

 

In fact, my favorite smartphone was my first, a Samsung S2 from 2011 or so.  I wish I could find a phone that size with today's tech.  They all seem to be going the other way, getting bigger and bigger.  (I'd add that the S2 cost me around 4x as much as the A05s, and that's before factoring in 10+ years of inflation)

 

Good question. Worth discussing. 

SoCal, I wouldn't want you to fall foul of the bonkers libel laws here and get litigation on your back, but........just been down to Samet, liked it ok and am wondering if you could give us a wee clue as to the place you're referring to.  No name, but location, as specific as you wanna be? Distinguishing features? 

By the way......I'm on your side on this. No one needs that s**t. 

If people have already asked....apologies, but just couldn't read ALL the comments! 😉

23 hours ago, zzzzz said:

https://tm30.immigration.go.th/TM30/Foreigner/TM30TH/Home.html

 

step by step
I registered, signed in, did a test ( said I arrived that day) next day checked, i was registered<
clicked on it, click export
print!!

works great>   another no visit to immigration   Happy happy

That's a very positive post. The fewer times one has to go to the IO, the better, eh?! 😉👍

On 2/4/2025 at 10:39 AM, madisongy said:

I got clipped for the 800 baht fine last time I went for an extension in Bangkok, because I did not complete a TM30 upon arrival.   So sat down tonight, and as I signed up, I made out a little instruction sheet, that hopefully someone will find useful.   Nice to have steps 1 and 2 complete, so I just need 30 seconds on my arrival day to complete step 3.

 

WHEW!  Apologies for those barely readable screenshots.  But you'll get the idea when you're on the actual page.

 

 

This is very helpful. For me and maybe others.

Thanks Madisongy. 👍

8 hours ago, lykes2fly said:

Hi. Try this. Worked for me. Good Luck 

 

https://tm30.immigration.go.th/TM30/Foreigner/TM30EN/index.html

Thanks, lykes2fly. I had not seen this site. It's interesting, though it appears to be related to foreign business owners, which doesn't apply in my case. 

But nonetheless, I do find it useful to read and to just know more about the system. 

Cheers. 👍

6 minutes ago, GypsyT said:

Take a room at hotel, let them report you and ask for paper copy of it.

 

Repeat same every time when you return. No BS, no headache.

 

Has been OK for me past 3 years. I do same a day before Immi extensions.

 

 

Thanks GypsyT.. Yes, others have given similar advice. Definitely an option.

But....the more I think about this, the more I feel a bit resentful (towards the IO) about having to do stuff like that.

Right now, I feel determined to try and make their weird online system work for me.......somehow! I'm not gonna let their silly bureaucratic nonsense beat me! 😉😆

12 hours ago, MangoKorat said:

Typical of Korat Immigration.  Most people report that they don't have to re-register provided they return to the same address. Is it Korat being awkward as usual or is it because he's left the country and returned?  I'll have to register TM30 with Korat again soon - first time was a nightmare as they had no idea what a Usufruct is.

Yes, sadly you're right about Korat IO in regard to TM30. 

I find them very helpful & efficient on the whole....but their insistence on new TM30 reports even when returning to same address after returning from abroad is a drag. 

14 hours ago, SunsetT said:

If you stay in a hotel for one or more nights when you fly in before going to NR they do a TM30 for you. That releases you from the obligation to report to your IO within 24 hours. Just go and register there at your convenience and if they ask tell them you just arrived at your home the day before after having a holiday in Bangkok or wherever you stayed. You can also then register for the online TM30 service in your or your wife's name with their help at the same time.

 

I don't arrive at the address and IO where my retirement extension is registered every Autumn until about a month after I arrive in Thailand. My landlord just tells them I arrived the day before and we never had a problem with this. Good luck!

Thanks SunsetT, sound advice! At first I did think I would plan to arrive in Bkk on a Friday, so that I could go back to NR (Korat), relax for a few days, then go up to NR IO on Monday, the next working day after the Friday (which they would apparently allow & accept. )

But I then thought that that's not an ideal long term solution to this TM30 business. So.....I'm determined to finally get this online system available to me.

Your idea of getting help from the IO to set it up is a good idea and I will try to do that......if I fail to do so myself!

Thank you. 🙏

17 hours ago, Sjoerd said:

https://tm30.immigration.go.th/TM30/Foreigner/TM30EN/index.html   Maybe this userguide down on the login page can help you in every step of the process

Thanks, Sjoerd. Very useful info'! 👍🙏

54 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

I registered using the Mrs's ID and Blue Book four years ago, in which time I have stayed at numerous hotels in Thailand, trips to UAE and UK on re-entry permits, and three Extensions re-Retirement, Combination Method.

Last Extension time the nice IO said that the print of my TM30 was getting a bit tatty, so printed a new one for me. 

Korat IO? Not important, but just wondered. 

Yes, I will try to do exactly what you did, re registering & using! 

Thank you. 👍🙏

1 hour ago, DFPhuket said:

I'd suggest you, with your wife's help, register your home with her as the house owner. That was a fairly easy process for me (I'm a foreigner and own my condo) to go to the website on my laptop, upload docs, and set it up. You will then setup your login and password.  After that, here is nothing to stop you from logging in with the site's (your wife's) login credentials. You wouldn't need to bother her. 

 

I'm in Phuket  and have been routinely asked for a copy of my TM30 when going to immigration. If I know I will need to go there (e.g., retirement extension or Certificate of Residence), once I return to Thailand from an international trip, I register my return to my home and print out the form. I come in and out a lot so I only do it when I know I'll need to go to immigration. 

Great info', DF, thank you very much!

I think I'll attempt to do precisely what you advise. 

Very helpful. Cheers. 🙏

Just now, connda said:

 

Ya'll worry about this too much.  If you don't make the 24 hour cutoff it's a small fine. No big deal.

800 baht? That's a big deal for me! I ain't a Rockefeller! 😉

Plus I think it can mess up the 90 day online process. 

1 minute ago, Mutt Daeng said:

I prefer not to involve Mrs MD in such matters, so i registered myself as the "housemaster" of her house, to enable me to do my own reports. I uploaded copies of her Id card & house book and my passport ID page. No "authorisation document"  from Mrs MD was required.

Ahhh, that's interesting, MD. I feel the same way about doing it myself preferably. 

But re the 'authorization document', I believe you when you say no such doc' was required, but the registering site seems to require one, so to avoid any 'authorization' stuff altogether, I might just let her register, then subsequently use her account myself on her behalf. 

😊🙏

19 minutes ago, Toolong said:

'Once registered, it is super easy to file TM30...'

 

That sounds encouraging, soi3eddie. So I'll make attempts to register. Cheers! 🙏

I meant get my wife to register. 😉

19 minutes ago, Toolong said:

Ok, I get what you're saying. Sounds sensible. Thanks 🙏

40 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

I'd recommend making your wife the registrant. 

 

Upload her Thai ID and the relevant house book.

 

Once the house is registered, you can use her account to file a TM30.

 

 

 

 

Bamnutsak, can I ask....so with wife as registrant, the 2 things to be uploaded when registering are wife's ID and blue house book? 

8 minutes ago, Digitalbanana said:

The home owner should do the TM30. If thats a foreigner or Thai then thats who does it? If the Thai is supposed to do it but doesn't know how to or want to do it, the foreigner can offer to help using the Thai's ID if they agree.

Actually, in my case, my wife the home-owner will be willing to do it, but she's a bit elderly and not 'super-tuned-in' to this kind of stuff!

I'm not much better myself tbh, but probably best if I do it using her TM30 account on her behalf! 😉

4 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

If you stay in a hotel do you do it?  No.  It is their responsibility.  Same applies to staying in your wifes home.  Immigration may have shifted the onus onto the person staying but ultimately in your situation is is actually her responsibility (and easier) to do it herself.

Interesting info', upnotover, thanks. I get what you're saying. 👍🙏

16 minutes ago, Digitalbanana said:

I suppose this must be a peculiarity of this particular IO, as the normal requirement is a TM30 report is not needed unless changing pp, permanent address or visa? So international travel with a re-entry permit does not normally need a new TM30.

Yes.....I was very disappointed to hear that my IO requires a TM30 within 24 hours, even if returning to same address.

14 minutes ago, soi3eddie said:

 

Good advice. Easy to do. They don't seem to check registrations as they get immediately approved (at least it did for registering myself at my own condo). Once registered, it is super easy to file TM30 and don't forget to print out the confirmation (Thai immigration just loves paper copies of everything). 

 

'Once registered, it is super easy to file TM30...'

That sounds encouraging, soi3eddie. So I'll make attempts to register. Cheers! 🙏

19 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

I'd recommend making your wife the registrant. 

 

Upload her Thai ID and the relevant house book.

 

Once the house is registered, you can use her account to file a TM30.

 

 

 

 

Ok, I get what you're saying. Sounds sensible. Thanks 🙏

17 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

As it is your wife that is supposed to do the TM30 why not just get her to register?  She then simply reports your presence as required.

Well, that's interesting, because I didn't actually know that she 'is supposed to do the TM30'...., as you say. So the foreigner CAN do it if authorized to by wife/home-owner, but it's easier to just get my wife to do it? I guess that's what you're saying.    👍🙏