bamboozled

Dr. Jack....woke up with an epiphany of sorts this morning. As you had pointed out, I got a new EXTENSION and not a new visa. I acknowledged that without really thinking about it. I am so used to having a new visa every year (my MO for the last 15 years or so bar 1, in which I never had to show funds) that I was still operating under my old mind-set and did not realize the implications of now having an extension and not a new visa. It's just dawning on me, this morning, my new status. Interestingly, in Savannakhet, as you know, no funds are required for Non-O marriage and I was never asked about funds by IOs at any point while living in Thailand. No one ever asked to see my bank accounts and I never worried about it. Were all IOs aware of the Savannakhet rule when they checked my passport/visa? And why does Savannakhet have this special concession? Does seeing an extension of visa instead of a new visa put IOs in a different mindset? The agent advised me to tell IOs I got my extension via an agent/agency if asked how/why it was from Trang. I can't imagine there is any secret to the powers that be that these agencies exist nor how they operate. Ditto for the Savannakhet idiosyncrasy. Yet why or how these avenues remain open is a mystery. What am I getting at? I'm not sure. I did not go to any great lengths to game the system. I took advantage of the available options that are easily discernible and open to all. In this regard, they seem above boards and copacetic. Will immigration agree? Per usual, a lot of gray area here. Isn't that part of why we love Thailand?

Embassy letter....sounds so quaint now.

I think I understand. Is it 400k that has to be maintained at all times and 800k for 3 months prior to extension and 2 months after? It's all a bit new to me as I've never done retirement extension. I did marriage extension just once during Covid but I don't think I had to maintain 400k all year round. Just the 3 months prior and 2 months after, if my memory serves me. Then I went back to Savannakhet method which I had done many times. No one ever questioned my bank account or looked cross-eyed at me or the visa during my stay in Thailand or exiting or entering. It didn't ever cross my mind that it could be a problem, to be honest. Have you had io looking at your bank account in this manner, retrospectively, in this manner? That is the rule, I guess, isn't it? Glad you pointed it out to me. I have no idea how the agents and immigration jibe. Wish I knew!

If I am showing 12 months of 65k transfers in a year, they shouldn't be looking for 800k, no? It is one or the other, as far as I know.

I suppose so. I certainly hope that doesn't happen. But anything can and sometimes does. Fingers crossed! ...There must be thousands of people going this route.

Do you intend in a year? I am doing the monthly transfer method and will have over 12 months next time around. That is, if they accept my transfers. I guess if I am forced to leave or use the agent, well, there are worse things in the world. But who knows come 12 months where/how things will lie in any of this. Thanks for the heads up.

That's what I think, too.

I'm going to try just that. The other caveat is that last time I asked my landlady for her ID and house book to do a TM30 she made herself scarce and we never heard back from her. We explained to immigration and they were gracious enough to give me one with just the house rental contract. I have just asked her again for her ID and house book and hoping she complies. I'm not sure their motivation for not complying. I think it's just paranoia.

Yes.... I have no idea how or why it all works. This was not the route I had intended to pursue but events didn't favor my previously laid plans and I had to scramble. Trying to get everything lubricated and set back on the straight and narrow as much as possible.

Don't knock it 'til you try it/need it. It's not any secret to the powers that be.

Hmm, you're right, it was an extension of stay, changed from Non-O based on marriage to Non-O based on retirement.

If I can get a new TM30 at my residence in CM I don't think I'll need them to do the 90 day. Am I wrong?

Agent is in Bkk. Well, I switched from Non-O marriage to Non-O retirement. I did not leave the country. So I guess it was an extension, you're right. They can do the cert. of residency using a TM30 from me or from hotel. But it's pricey and still leaves me with a TM30 that is not up to date.

Thanks guys. What I need right now is a new driver's license. Mine is expired. I live and rent in Chiang Mai but visa was issued in Trang just recently via agent. My plan is to renew my TM30 with my address in Chiang Mai. The same address I've been at for the last 7 years or so and the same one on my last TM30. With a new visa, my understanding is that the TM30 has to be updated anyway. Once I have the updated TM30, I need to get a certificate of residency to get the driver's license. For the 90-day report, that can wait, um, about 83 days from now. Agent can do that via Trang for a small fee if I cannot do it in CM. Maybe it won't work out. Is there any issue in going to immigration and having a go at it? Am I to be grilled about why I have a Trang visa? Thanks!

It proved to be easier to go the retirement route. Shoot, at least getting old is good for something.

Hi all. My "report back" that I said I would do. I've had to go a completely different route due to unforeseen circumstances (not related to the above info) and got a Non-O based on retirement. I appreciate all the input. That route didn't work out for me but surely will be of good service for some other folks. Onward we go, cheers, Bam.

Hi folks, as above, I was issued a non-O retirement through Trang immigration. I am fixing to go to Chiang Mai immigration, where I live, to renew my TM30 and certificate of residency as I need to renew my 5-year driver's license. Is there any issue here? Also, I'm curious, my old TM30 and house contract have remained the same. That is, my address has not changed. Do I need all new documents or is it just a formality and the old documents (rental contract and old TM30) will suffice? Issue being that in the past landlady made herself scarce when I brought up the need for ID and house book but I was lucky enough to get the TM30 after explaining the situation. Thanks and cheers, Bamboozled.

You folks ALL have it wrong. The "Big" in his name does not mean "large" but comes from the Greek, "bigounitakis" meaning, umm, well, I don't know what it means 'cause it's all Greek. To me.

Big Jest? Big Zinger?

My wife's house book was Chiang Rai, her parents house. My address/our address is Chiang Mai. Never had an issue. As I understand it, unless a Thai person buys a house in his/her name, the house book will always be their parents house book. Which is the case with my wife. Hmm, I wonder what happens if one's family/parents never own a house but only rent. You wouldn't have a house book, I guess. And then what? It seems to be such an integral part of the mechanism in Thailand.

I haven't been following much because I thought with dual taxation law US and many countries were exempt. Has the law passed or is it still a proposal?

The most annoying thing about the visa situation is the rules/no rules. There is what is written down on the consulate website or Immi website, but when you go there and speak directly, you get a slightly difference version. And come another day and get another slightly different version. That's been my experience. I've never brought my wife to Savannakhet and I've gotten 4 or 5 Non-O visas over the years. I just don't recall the signing thingy. Thanks Tod!

Thanks, Jake. That's my recollection as well.

Hi Tim, you may be totally correct. No doubt they are aware. Again, I'm not trying to pick a fight or say you are wrong, necessarily. I just question where this "info" is coming from. Has it been stated somewhere that they have no desire to deter online workers? If so, that's great. The mood in the air at the time of that raid in CM was pretty sour. I don't recall if there were many or just one. But teachers were getting nicked and kicked out, it seemed, left and right. In fact, there was, so it appeared, a large exodus of foreigners because things had gotten unpleasant. It really felt like we foreigners were not wanted here. Well, I certainly felt like that. The fact is, unless I'm mistaken, any work in Thailand done without a work permit is illegal, still. Yes, the gov. does not want foreigners taking jobs away from Thais. But that doesn't mean that work that doesn't take a job away from a Thai is therefore legal. I have no crystal ball or friends in high places and maybe I'm stuck mentally in the past when folks were getting nicked all the time, so it seemed, for working online or carrying their own dirty plate back to the kitchen in their girlfriends restaurant just because they were going that way. I guess, ultimately, my point is to not forget that whether condoned or not, I believe you can get into trouble for working without a work permit, if wrong place/wrong time/wrong person has it in for you.

I've done this run a few times but my memory ain't great. I don't think I ever took a note from wife. And I can't remember who signed certificate. Makes sense it would be both but....they don't really specify on the visa page requirements.