bamboozled

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.

Where are folks getting this info that online work is condoned or 100% tolerated? I know lots of people do indeed do it and have had no problems and I have seen a lot of jabbering about it by all types both gov. officials and TV/Asean Now surfers/lurkers. But I'm not convinced that it's the same thing as condoned or 100% tolerated. Not that I've done specific research on the subject but I have been around the block a few times and would love to see this in writing somewhere. Again, not trying to be nit-picky just precise as possible. I wouldn't go around shouting "I'm working online!" for all the world to hear. I guess I would be comfortable with the word "tolerated" but not the "100%" part and "tolerated" possibly only until the next muck raker gets a new rake. Summation: it happens a lot and you most likely won't have an issue but I don't think there is any new law stating it is fine and dandy. Please correct me if I'm wrong and I hope I am. It's not THAT long ago that Immi was swarming co-working spaces and laying waste to online workers. Of course, I'm kind of old and time flies. Maybe it WAS that long ago. Upward and onward with the arts... Cheers, folks!

Hi folks, flogging the dead horse here but: For Non-O based on marriage one of the documents is copy of marriage certificate. Do both husband and wife need to sign this? Wife is currently away and not available to sign it. Thanks!

Hey guys, Jumping back in here for a second. One question on documents needed for Savannakeht Non-O based on marriage. Copy of the marriage certificate...signed by both of us? Just the husband? Just the wife? Reason I ask...wife is away. I have the signed house book and ID but not signed marriage cert. Thanks!

Hmm, let me think a sec!

I've noticed, particularly when bicycling, that a lot of drivers here seem to disregard the back half of their vehicles, be it car or motorcycle. That is, once they have passed you to the point that they can no longer see you, you are no longer there and thus the lane is open and free for lane changes.

I found this: https://www.immigration.go.th/en/?p=14714 It doesn't actually say spouse has to be with you, strangely.

Got it, thanks!

Cowboy, what is needed for this extension, if you please? Passport photos, etc...etc...? Letter from wife?