expat_4_life

I don't have any specific information to your requirements list but I have a friend that did a visa exempt to NON-O for retirement only 2 months ago. Almost exactly the same paperwork required for NON-O and the annual extension. So, your observation that: "requirements are practically the same as per 1 year extension of stay" is correct. They basically want to see the same paperwork you intend to use for your annual extension before they grant you the NON-O . In case you might be wondering about expiration dates, experience at Chaeng Wattana Bangkok. my friend got the NON-O which expired 90 days from application date. When he applied for his annual extension, prior to the NON-O expiration date, he received an annual extension that will expire 1 year from the expiration of his NON-O.

I consider this a smart move for Thai Russian relations and geopolitical relations in general. Thailand is a relatively small nation with a heavy dependence on tourism in particular. I sometimes wonder if many posters ever stop to consider that one day, in the hopefully not too distant future, the Ukraine conflict will come to a close. The western led proxy war and sanctions have ushered in a geopolitical realignment and the likely possibility of a new cold war. It's a win for Thailand to remain relatively neutral. I see no need for the Thais to get bullied into choosing sides.

I would suggest thinking about it like this: There is only the "current" extension of stay, you're permitted to stay until a specific date. You don't have new and old extensions, at any given point in time you have your current permission to stay date, that's it. Reentry Permit is designed to allow you to depart the Kingdom and return maintaining your previous visa status and permission to stay date. At the time of issue it will expire on the date of your current permission to stay. The only thing that matters is when you reenter the Kingdom that you return prior to the expiration (valid until date) of your reentry permit, whereupon you will get stamped into the Kingdom until your current permission of stay date. I suspect the OP renewed his permission to stay and departed with a currently valid reentry permit and now finds himself outside the Kingdom and it has expired even though his permission to stay date is sometime in the future. If you don't have a reentry permit that is still valid, then you will have to reenter by some other method, VOA, Visa exempt, etc etc. and begin extensions of stay from scratch.

Sure thing, "illegal to be a legitimate journalist in Russia". You realize he's been a journalist working and living in Russia for 6 years? How did he manage to evade the Russian authorities for so long, with all that illegal journalistic activity he's been engaged in?

Perhaps they can trade him for Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov who was indicted in the US just this last week. https://news.yahoo.com/us-charges-russian-spy-whose-194404404.html

I was just reading in a CNN article: The FSB said Gershkovich was detained in Yekaterinburg, on the eastern side of the Ural Mountains, and claimed he was “trying to obtain secret information” relating to “the activities of one of the enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex.” Plenty of likely very sensitive military industrial installations in the area https://nuke.fas.org/guide/russia/industry/docs/rus95/y_list.htm For the moment I'm going with he was at least nosing around in a place he should not have been. Call him an overzealous reporter or a spy, your choice.

You make a valid point about who decides we fight the wars and who comes home in body bags Then along comes someone that wants to take exception, as if visiting the troops is like fighting in a war. I agree, why care about visitors. They are there to promote and prolong the conflict - not to save lives. In fact, I loathe each and every one of them.

The short answer to the OP is nobody knows. Plenty of speculation in financial circles and any number of podcasts. It's not gonna be pretty but I'm not a pessimist. Its not in any other countries interest for the dollar economy to simply collapse. This is more like a slow moving disaster, we can see it coming so we have time to avert catastrophe.

"Poland would have 'no choice' but to 'enter the conflict' in Ukraine if the war-torn country fails to defend itself, Warsaw's ambassador to France has warned." Where do these people come from, "no choice"? Really? Of course there are choices other than expanding the conflict but these dipsticks seem hell bent on dragging NATO into war.

Paetongtarn is to the Thaksin Dynasty what Chelsea is to the Clinton Dynasty. Hopefully the Thais come to their senses.

I would not say it's a Sin - however, it not really a classic car anymore either. Purists, old style classic car enthusiasts, are likely not amused - doubt collectors are either. Wonder if these modified classics compete in the same category at car shows, anyone know?

This doesn't get emphasized enough, it the single best improvement that Immigration has made in the 20 years I've been going there. I arrived with an appointment for retirement a gew weeks ago, only took 25 minutes from document checking to passport in-hand. Pleasant experience, Granted, I CHOOSE to do it myself primarily for 2 reasons, my passport remains in my possession and I keep abreast of any bureaucratic changes. Saving agent fees is just a bonus, icing on the cake as they say. I'm also not anti-agent, never used them for a renewal, but have used them for 90 reporting in the past. Was wondering if you have either an opinion or any relevant statute about Immigration, particularly when it comes to agents, or "fixers", I rather think of agents in these 2 distinct ways. The way I always thought about fixers is that Immigration is the final arbiter. This in effect, assuming you/they can reach someone who is not just staffing a desk, leaves Immigration with plenty of latitude as to whether or not to approve your renewal request under especially under extenuating circumstances.

Each to their own, I'm anti-war. I find this horrifying. It's an escalation spiral that knows no limits and as admitted in the article: "Though a welcome boost to Ukraine's air defence, the extra jets are not expected to be decisive in the war." Isn't this an just awkward way of saying, the fighter jets are not going to make any difference, while leaving out the fact that Ukrainian pilots are going to sacrifice their lives to no purpose? What is the point of this escalation/provocation?

We all know how Jurassic Park ended, nuff said ????

Yes, US passport holder, the letter comes back with the new passport, never had to request one here as a separate procedure.

No, I don't believe so. I can only speak for US passports, but the Embassy routinely has provided the stamp transfer letter you need at immigration automatically when you renew a passport in Thailand, which I've done twice

My wife works at the head offices of Bangkok Bank, they are definitely closed on Mon 6 March as she has the day off. That said you might find some small branches in the malls or supermarkets open. Honestly don't know and the wife can't answer that question definitively either.

"My" condo, I'm an owner in Bangkok, has over the years had the ISPs come along and provide service to the building for fiber. There is now fiber access on every floor from the utility cabinet. VDSL is also available over existing phone wires. I currently have VDSL service in my unit. My ISP, TRUE, will install fiber in my unit at no cost. They punch a few holes in the ceilings and run the fiber in. This would be something to discuss with the owner if it is not "your" condo. Meanwhile, a VDSL option is likely available over existing infrastructure.

Both correct, you cannot be granted any permission to stay that exceeds the validity of your passport. Simple logic, simple rule.

I was at Chaeng Wattana for retirement extension less than 24 hours ago. One copy of my documents was all that was required. It was a very pleasant experience, showed up at the document checking desk 5 minutes ahead of my scheduled appointment and was done, passport in-hand, just 25 minutes later.

I fully endorse this way of thinking (eliminates a "point of failure") and also practice (do not use that account for anything else) this way of securing my retirement extension funds. I might add that I've never been asked for a statement, photocopy of the bank book is sufficient, My experience, 20 years, has been in Bangkok. I once upon a time had 400k in 2 separate accounts at the same bank and was asked by the IO to combine the funds into one account before coming back next year - I complied with their request. All I can say about that is that I agree with making the job simple at immigration for the officers and as you rightly pointed out it "eliminates a "point of failure"

I can comment on personal experience at Chaeng Wattana. Friend went from visa exempt to NON-O to retirement entering in Oct 22. Had read here that the 90 days reporting "countdown" would not start until he applied for his annual extension. Was reassured that this was the case as we visited the 90 day reporting counter and inquired when he received his NON-O, they said he would receive a receipt at the time of his extension advising when he should begin hos 90 day reporting. At the time he received his annual extension they stapled a paper (receipt if you will) into his passport advising he should report 90 days from the day he applied. In total he will have been in Thailand almost 6ish months before he is required to submit his first 90 day report. He entered in Oct and has a May report day receipt in his passport.

Perhaps the 2 deceased men and Gage the survivor, were victims of the karma they unleashed in the world. That's karma catching up with you.

This is probably the least expensive option, exit to a nearby country and re-enter visa exempt. Your situation is also what fixers/agents are for, no idea what it costs. You didn't mention showing the transfer receipt to immigration, might work.

The "Made in Thailand sex toys" I was referring to are powered by Somtam, not batteries ????