So I typically get a 1-year extension of my non-O based on marriage to a Thai. However, a cock-up means with a couple of weeks left on my current extension we had not had the required 400k in a Thai bank account for 2 months. I put the money in there and we were told over the phone to prepare all the docs as per usual and go to immigration at CW and see if they would be able to extend to give us more time to season the money.
However, once there we were told this was not possible and that I would have to leave the country, the two options being apply for a new non-O outside of the country, wait the required time, then come back to CW and get the 1-year extension, OR do a border hop and come back in 30 days visa-exempt, go to CW and apply for the single entry non-O, then once the money has been in my account for the necessary time come back again and apply for the 1-year extension.
Now, I think I prefer the second option, but I wasn't aware that you could actually apply within Thailand for a non-O visa in this way. My question is, is that definitely correct? My wife and I asked a couple more times to be sure I hadn't misunderstood and the lady insisted. Has anyone here done such a thing? Forgive my ignorance if this is totally commonplace.
While I'm here, it's been so many years since I did a Cambodia border hop. Is there anything I should know? Anywhere I shouldn't go? A particular crossing that's good? I'm thinking we'll go to Pong Nam Ron, but is that still a good option from Bangkok? I recall the last place I went was small and quiet and I rather liked it, but I can't remember now which particular crossing it was. All my old stamps in old passports (last went in the mid-10s) seem to say Pong Nam Ron but I distinctively remember going to a different place the last time.
Thank you very much in advance for any info and/or advice anyone has. 🙏