Rob Browder

This, or pay an agent to do it for you - is what I would do. Much cheaper and less-hassle than a border-bounce trip.

I think this is more of a "rules are rules" = "must be in Thai or English so I can check the box" thing - rather than them understanding it. I would check with local translation folks and see what they quote. Make sure THEY handle getting the translation certified - so if any issue with that part, they deal with the Thai govt office (MFA) who certifies it.

You can inquire with agencies to help with a Non-B application, but I would first go to your local immigration and ask what they want you to show to get an extension. You will need a stack of company documents and your Thai taxes-paid proof + minimum-income (varies by your passport-country). You can also use 40K/mo income + company-documents for a Non-O "based on marriage to a Thai" extension - though it totals more paperwork than the Non-B type. Non-O w/ 400K in the bank for a Thai child is not possible while still married - and if separated, cannot do the marriage-based. A Non-O Visa from Laos is an option, but need an appointment, and those are limited.

Yes, he won't need that much if not supporting a family here. 30K/mo is plenty, unless one likes to "party" a lot, or has other expensive tastes.

Yes - you can cancel w/ immigration with the termination-letter - and should do so. Canceling the WP is the employer's problem.

The extension ends the day of divorce, so must leave that day, or go to immigration with divorce-papers that day and pay 1900 Baht to get 7 more days.

This is a "real" new/undocumented rule at some offices. Basically, if you used an agent to take care of the financials for your extension, you then need to pay another agent-fee for the "free" service of transferring stamps - is why they are doing it.

Ban Pakard is agent-driven, I think. I used to use Ban Laem in the past - but haven't seen a recent report.

We have seen immigration "invalidate" METV Visas - telling folks they cannot use their visa any more. If going with the DTV, I would budget for an "agent fee" per entry - similar to those using serial visa-exempt entries pay. If Immigration Do NOT start throwing up "agent-payoff or hassle" roadblocks, be pleasantly surprised and carry-on - spending that money into the Thai economy, where all "agent fees" would otherwise be spent.

Unless you have a longer-staying past history in Thailand, it is highly unlikely they would make a fuss about your next entry.

Some reports indicate "yes" - but it varies based on where you apply, and hard to predict if/when they change what is deemed acceptable. if applying in Laos, can return Visa-Exempt from there w/o issue, if the DTV doesn't work out.

Oh, yes, because the wages for illegally-working in Thailand are so tempting - LOL!! There are decent-paying legit jobs available to foreigners here, but they come with a work-permit.

Clearly why they went after this guy - arrived on a fresh passport with a new Non-OA, went to do his 90-day report, and was told they wanted to see his "old passport" - to spite not having been here for years, and not coming to Thailand with it. They let it slide, eventually, but he got the message - is now contemplating using an agent for his 100% legit extension, now.

If PP-page-space is an issue, and your 60-day at immigration fails, would need to bounce at a "small stamps" location - (using eVisa if for Laos/Cambodia, at limited crossing points where they are accepted) see:

You can get a retirement-based extension, and then your wife/family can get visas to stay with you, based on your having it. If you found a job in Thailand, you would need to change to a different reason than retirement - "Non-B" being used for those working here, who are not married to a Thai national. When that job ends, you can go back to retirement-extensions, again.

When they made the policy change, they didn't throw people out who were already in the system - but they blocked anyone from applying who didn't have the YB / Pink-ID. That is ongoing, unless/until we hear otherwise.

They could do that now - just get married first - not that hard to do. Then, add the DTV, which is designed to keep those who work remotely spending their money in Thailand. PR would be the obvious thing to offer to anyone here for years, married to a Thai, or supporting a Thai child.

Back then, there was a 2x / calendar-year on land-border entries. That is why people got stuck, then. If they had "too many" tourist-visas, they had to get a new passport from their embassy, before they could get another Tourist visa.

He said he was worried about the paperwork not being approved. The Thai consulates in Laos do not accept the application unless your paperwork is deemed OK. If it wasn't approved / didn't get the visa, he could still come back no problem - get whatever missing thing, and try again later. Though, if following the tested paperwork lists in the main thread on the DTV, denial is unlikely.

Singapore requires entering via air - not ideal for a border-bounce. You would provide your boarding-pass for your return-flight at Thai immigration. If you get a Non-O Visa at a Thai immigration office, you will be granted 90-days stay, and the visa will be marked "used" immediately. There is no need to go anywhere. In the last 30-days of that 90-days granted, you then may apply for a 1-year non-O extension at the same immigration office.

IO will just want to see your TM-30 printout, and may verify it exists in the system. They may then give you a little 1/4-page receipt to put in your passport.

Now, bring home the "authority" in the form of a TV, and indoctrinate them 24/7, along with what is "taught" in schools, etc. "Experts all agree..." And how are experts pay-rewarded? By saying what those paying them want to hear. This tends to function primarily as a justification system, however. A big factor is money. Those with very little are more likely to just have kids, because no hope of ever not being poor. Ironically, the "middle class" creates a budget-trap, which discourages "expensive" children for "responsible" parents, who "plan for their financial future."

Call the main office and ask. They will tell you that you need it, as will local offices. But I'd be open to any recent (last ~2 years) report of it being obtained without the Yellow Book and Pink-ID.

Not "stuck in Laos" - since the borders from Laos to Thailand allow re-entry with Visa-Exempt (now 60-days) without the need for agents, etc - even if have recent visa-exempt use-history. That said, just read the DTV pinned-thread, and the list of exactly what is needed are there.

Could also - put the 800K in the bank. Use the agent 1 more time. DIY the following year and onward.