Pattaya57

Haven't linked anything as not sure what's allowed, but Google search gives multiple sources of no booze sales between 6pm May 6 to 6pm May 7, plus same 6pm deadline May 13 to 14 So I guess they want clear heads for election day on Sunday. Wouldn't they (like us falang) just buy enough booze before 6pm Saturday to keep them going for 24 hours?

Pretty sure you're quoting the price for renewing the 12 month extension. Maneerat just quoted me 26,000 for non-imm O and 12 month extension (and that is with 800k in bank)

Thai embassy says otherwise whereby I posted the link above

A Newby to the forum doesn't make me a Newby to Thailand, I've owned a Condo here for 15 years. I guess I need to get used to when a Member says a Retirement Visa doesn't exist on this forum I should just forget my knowledge and say okay lol

Either way, the Thai Embassy actually links a "Retirement Visa" to a non-immigration O, O-A and O-X, which makes sense to me as they are actually a visa granted for retirement

You are being pedantic. Why do expats care so much about it must be called an extension of stay when the Thai Embassies around the World have this link to apply for a Retirement Visa lol https://canberra.thaiembassy.org/visa-categories/

OP: "Hey so I have entered thailand 4 times in the past 7 months, going away for 1 or 2 weeks each time I leave" Why do you think you have to do anything different to what you've been doing? 4 times in 7 months means you're not using all available 30 day extensions and you were away for 1-2 weeks a time, so not obvious border bounces (plus no limit to visa exempt entry by air) Unless you were given IO grief last arrival, I don't see what the issue is?

Isn't that why he asked his question, so that he doesn't overstay?

Arrival and departure day are counted in the 30 days (counted when you go through immigration, not actual flight arrival/departure time)

I've not received an initial letter or the bill. Not too worried about as it'll come when it comes

Wow, 12-18k per person....I'm just looking at a return flight Bangkok to Singapore and it's 15k ???? This link shows a Cessna 172 40 minute flight for 16,500 baht which I'd assume is for 2 seats (maybe 3 as you only need 1 pilot) https://pattaya-tour.com/pattaya-sky/

I spent 8 months in Thailand last year on visa exempt + extensions no problem but when I came back 8-Mar (left 24-Dec) the IO flicked through my passport about 4 times and asked "how long you stay this time". I said "visa exempt is 45 days isn't it" Another couple of front to back page checks and she looked very unhappy as she stamped me in. First time I was ever asked anything by IO so made me think it's maybe time for a retirement visa although I just got another 30 day extension easy enough ????

Just noticed the financials for the O-A seemed to have changed (Thai Consulate in Sydney). O visa in Thailand requires 800,000 baht however the O-A lists A$54,545. This is about 1.25 million baht or they've used a ridiculous 14.6 exchange rate instead of 23 (I'm assuming Consulate has stuffed up)

If you go to the O-A visa application form it says "Must have the nationality of or permanent residence in the country where the application is submitted" The "nationality of" is obviously addressed by your passport and the only additional ID required is a copy of "driver's licemce or other photo ID". Nowhere does the application ask for proof of address.so you should be fine

As far as soi dogs outside businesses, I see them all the time outside 7/11 entrance door to grab some aircon, no-one seems to care and happy to walk around (dogs don't bother anyone) The DIY store in the Avenue probably has the coldest aircon in town, a soi dog sits in front every day and the market people put a collar on him so are happy to have him there ????

Ticks for cheap beers and live band but would not consider it an aircon bar. Yes they have aircon but I never felt it as it's a bar open to the street...60 baht beer was pretty good though ????

It's not "hand holding" when Jomtien immigration force people to go to an agent because of made up rules. That's why I'll be going to Laos to get my visa without forced agent fees Plus hopefully a nice place to visit ????

By you're own post that seems a huge risk to factor in, they tried to cancel it, when will they try again ????

He was responding to me. Financial requirements are met with 800k in bank, however an agent may now be required because Jomtien made up their own rules that 800k required for 2 months instead of legal requirement of 1 day for non-imm O....

Every agent I contacted only want to do combined Non-imm O and 12 month extension together so have refused non-imm O only

I think more about to cover legal for email record ???? My Mate got his visa through them with funds 1 day in bank when he showed up in person. I'm just annoyed rules say day of application for non-imm O but Jomtien is making me consider agent or going to Laos to get visa... Anyway not to hijack thread, it seems OP has everything in order as long as they don't apply in Jomtien ????

I understand that is the rule but have seen on here Jomtien is asking for 2 months in bank for non-imm O even though that is the 12 month extension requirement? Any idea if this is correct as even when I emailed Manseerat agent they asked for 800k in bank for minimum 6 weeks to start the process?

I've been looking but found nothing. I found Billabong Resort had a formal dawn service on the lake last year but nothing I could see for this year Wombat and Kiwi Bar in Jomtien seems to have something from 12pm but guessing that's just a piss up for the Anzac day footy ????

My Mate used an agent in Pattaya with 15 days left on visa exempt and it took 4 weeks to get his passport back. He wasn't bothered one bit about no passport for 2 weeks after his entry stamp expired and sure enough he got his non-imm O and retirement extension for 15 months total from his visa exempt date. The OP on the other hand seems to have massively panicked and visited agent twice a day for a week during known holidays that surely would slow the process and then reported his passport as stolen/lost. As it turns out his visa was issued and everything would have been fine if he just did nothing. Message to me is if you use an agent be prepared to chill and let it happen, if this is not in your personality, submit applications yourself and retain control of your passport...I'm definitely in the latter category

OP, most aircon bars in Pattaya seem to be sports bars like Hemmingways (soi 11/2nd road) and I-Rovers and Metro bar in Lk Metro. Also Frasiers in Jomtien. There's also Tahitian Queen on beach road for afternoon aircon with music ???? Best bar aircon I've found is Jibbys in LK Metro (opposite Billabong) which is really cold plus 70 baht beers with music playing