boriga

None legally. Walking in has the best chance. Even calling, many may not offer a room. As a farang, it is hard. If the hotel were to be questioned, for a Thai they can say they were resident since before the shut down in early April. Hard to prove they weren't. For a farang they would needed to have submitted a TM30 over a month ago.

I converted from a non O based on retirement, applied for in Thailand (originally converting from a visa exempt entry) to being based upon child in education last November at CW in BKK. Three weeks ago my two kids and I all extended again at CW. No need to leave country.

As per Ubonjoe, no need for funds to come from abroad, seasoned 2 mths in Nov 19 as was first application and 3 months Mar 20. I.e. the money was unable to be withdrawn and stayed in the account all through.

Apart from the usual passport copies and paperwork, the school (Bangkok Patana) provided necessary docs to support proof of education.

To link the guardian to child requires original birth certificate (and original of certified translation if not fully in English / embassy registration of birth overseas). My daughter was born in China, so Shanghai consulate registration was sufficient.

Overall I found the process straightforward and logical, if cumbersome and time consuming. The school are very familiar with the paperwork required, which helped, as I did not need to second guess that.

I think Bang Krachao is not necessarily a day trip only. If the OP lived in a condo or house close to one of the bike / scooter friendly ferry piers, such as Bangna, then it is very accessible daily. Also he could live close enough to BTS for access to Thonglor.

Not sure how much further south you mean, I really like the Bansaithong Beach Resort in Ban Saphan Noi. On beach, no road in front, which makes me like it more than other places further north. Stayed there several times when driving down or up. Good spot as a base to poke around the area or just walk along the beach.

The Thai government requires those visitors or residents coming into Thailand from China from noon on 21 February onwards to self quarantine. Once your wife leaves, assuming you have any contact with her (!) then you, yourself, should self quarantine for a further 14 days.

We have many friends in China and Taiwan who want to get out and come here, but the implications for them and for us, should we meet them, are not very attractive, to say the least.

Thanks for the update. Will swing by the Bangna Experience Park myself and have a look.

Agree, a very interesting alternative to the very (IMHO) over priced Alphard / Vellfire. The key issue would be the driving experience. The H1, which I have driven, and the Kia also seems to offer a decent (comparable with a saloon car or real SUV) driving position and comfort. The key weakness of all the Hiace derivations is a cramped, upright and truck / van like driving experience. If that is resolved the Majesty could be a game changer. Let us know your thoughts after you check it out 

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

Same thing happened to someone I know. Unfortunately she didn't discover it until she tried to make a second entry and at that point did not still have the green receipt. Impression was that they'd have let her in had she been able to sglhow the receipt and you should certainly be able to get it corrected by showing the receipt. Only question is whether you have to do so at the same location where it was issued.

That is my question really. Where to deal with it? Was thinking of asking at BKK when entering tomorrow. If not a single entry gets stamped on re-entry then it is in theory no longer valid.

As I got the permit at BKK, if I have to go back to same place, I can only do that when next leave the country. 

Will definitely flag it to the IO when entering tomorrow and get their advice. 

Arrived 2+ hrs before flight at BKK on Tuesday morning, but as there were long queues at check in, long queues at security and long queue for re-entry permit, I took passport and ran for my flight. Only on the plane did I check my permit and it is single, not the multiple re-entry permit I paid for. My fault I know, but it was a missed flight had I checked and dealt with it then. I still have the receipts for payment of 3800 and 200 service fee. I am in Siem Reap now flying back to BKK tomorrow. Can anyone suggest my best course of action when I return? Thanks to all.

Teacher and staff salaries represent roughly between 70% to 80% of the overhead of international schools.

In Thailand, local staff salaries are competitive against Singapore or Tokyo but the foreign teachers are recruited from the same pool.

Many schools have nil or fixed low profit margins. Those that do not, can only charge what the market can pay and the ability for demand to move to lower cost alternatives is quite high. This makes fees competitive and similar between like for like comparable schools.

Thus, fees in any location and  across the region generally are reasonably similar. Fees charged are not at all based upon or directly related to macro economic measures such as GDP etc.

I was there this morning with a print out of the screenshot of my online TM30 report. This was made when I last came into the country. That seemed to be all they needed. Was never questioned. I have not stayed in a hotel where another TM30 report might have been made since coming back to Thailand to test your specific question. My impression was that they only checked most recent entry into the country against TM30 report.

I am currently resident on an extension of Non O visa (converted from a visa exempt entry) based upon retirement. I have two kids at school in Bangkok who are on extensions based upon their study. I wish to change the basis of visa extension from Retirement to being their Dependent, this should involve lower financial requirements but also put us all in sync for renewals etc. I will be applying at Chaeng Wattana.

My question is whether I can change the basis of extension at CW or do I need to leave and apply for another non-o visa specifically as dependent in a nearby country / my home country?

Maybe someone has changed from Retirement to Marriage as the basis for extension recently at CW that can provide some insight?  Thanks

Not the least ironic part of this article is the fact that China has its own equivalent of TM30 which is and has been strictly enforced for many years.

Requiring 'within 48 hour' reporting not 24, but with an army of neighborhood watch snitches encouraged and even paid to report possible infringements.

Pots...,.ketles.......

FYI -  I got extensions based on study for my kids at CW in Bangkok and then got multiple re-entry permits issued in Hua Hin. Seems that some offices will issue them even if the extension was not granted by them.

16 hours ago, buick said:

who do you ask ?  an immigration officer (bypassing those standing in line) ?

When you finish scanning at security, ask the security people and the open the door. You queue at the re entry desk, of course, then when finished go back and join a queue for passport control on fast track. Very straightforward, no queue jumping other than the fast track itself.

For business class priority / fast track at BKK, you enter pass initial security and bag check and then before passport control you ask and they open the door / screen to allow you to enter the main immigration area so you can walk along the back of the hall to the re-entry permit counter. Once done, you retrace your steps and pass through the door / screen and join the passport control queue in the priority / fast track hall.

My wife extended her Non-O visa being a Guardian for our son  attending school in Bangkok, at Chaeng Wattana two weeks ago. First extension so only needed 2 months seasoning.

All she needed for financials was updated bank pass book and bank letter confirming the Bt500k was still there.

No change of rules after 1st March that I can see.

Sorry to change the scenario, but if I live in Bangkok and I have registered my address there, then sometimes I visit my condo in Hua Hin for the weekend, what should I do to be fully compliant?

According to the consensus above, every time I visit HH for the weekend I must submit TM30 and TM28, and when I return to Bangkok do the same there again?

By the letter of the law, that seems to be what is required? 

Thanks for any insight you guys may have on my obligations.

Ubonjoe is right, (as ever) as long as it does not look like you are living (and working!) in Thailand, spend most of your time out of the country there is effectively no limit. I just checked and have six entries since March. Arriving again on Friday, will not be an issue, I  am sure. I never even think about it. Neither does immigration.

As of 30 June when I last did it at BKK, it is at a desk in the back left corner after security before immigration. Takes around ten minutes.

Alternatively, go to your local immigration office and do it before you go to the airport. In my case, in Hua Hin, that was much simpler and cheaper and less stress at the airport.

Sorry labour the point, however this is something I have not heard of before. i.e. Re-entry permit on an SETV allowing two or more entries within 60 days.

(Steve187 / Doiger) - You are saying that it is possible to enter and then leave Thailand on an SETV and return within the 60 days so long as (my Taiwanese wife) obtains a re-entry permit at the airport before departure and it would allow her to return and stay in Thailand until the expiry date of the initial entry. I assume in lieu of visa number on the entry form when returning, I use the re-entry permit number and mentioned elsewhere.

This would seem an excellent way to make two short visits within a 60 day period or to arrive one evening / leave the next morning without wasting a visa / queing for visa on arrival or having to go through the extra hoops and costs of applying for an METV.

A single re-entry permit costs Bt1,200, I believe reading elsewhere, and simply requires appropriate form completed, onward / return tickets and passport...correct?

Look forward to your further advice as this option would make buying tickets much easier with the flexibility to enter in the evening and depart next morning and then return for a longer stay on an SETV.

19 hours ago, SummerMan said:

Can I do like this?

http://flashpackerfamily.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-getting-a-visa-for-thailand/

 

You want to fly into Thailand, stay less than 30 days then return and stay more than 30 days

Lots of travellers use Thailand as a hub for getting around South East Asia because it’s often the cheapest and easiest airport to fly into in the region. If you’re on an extended trip in South East Asia, chances are you will come in to Thailand first for a short amount of time, go off to a neighbouring country but return to Thailand later for a long period of time. If you’re doing this without an onward flight from Thailand within 30 days then you will still need a visa in your passport to satisfy the airline’s boarding requirement. You can get a double entry tourist visa which costs twice as much. The alternative is to get a single entry visa but only use it on your second entry to Thailand when you plan to stay more than 30 days and use the 30 day visa exemption for your first trip to Thailand. Here’s how to do it:

1. When applying for your visa ask it to be dated for your second entry. You may need to show proof of this with any air tickets you have purchased. Your visa will then specify “not valid before…” the date of your second entry.
2. On your first entry into Thailand, do not fill in the visa number on your immigration form. Explain to immigration that you will be using your 30-day visa exemption for your first visit and show that your visa is dated for your future visit.
3. On your second entry into Thailand fill in your visa number on your immigration form. Let immigration know that you will be using your visa for this entry.

Sorry, but I do not see how that is possible. I picked up an SETV today in Shanghai and like previous visas it has two dates on the visa sticker; 'Date of Issue' and 'Enter Before'. The latter being 6 months after the issue date.

I do not see how they can make the visa valid to commence any time later than the issue date at the consulate / embassy where it was issued.

Maybe that blog article is very old as it mentions double entry visas, but does not seem  at all accurate regardless of the OPs specific question, for which it certainly is not.

Maybe some one has achieved a 'visa exempt on arrival' entry / exit with a valid SETV or METV in their passport, so they are able to use the visa on a later longer visit, but I have not heard of it on this forum.

Anyone done that?

For what it is worth, given the differing interpretation of this policy, I can confirm that in Shanghai the requirement is for proof of a minimum balance of at least GBP5,000 (equivalent) for a period of over 180 days immediately prior to the application being submitted. In China bank statements and passbooks were not accepted, only a formal letter from the bank confirming the above funds requirement had been met

I would make absolutely sure you know exactly what type(or types) of proof they require before making the application. It will save wasted visits as I experienced in Shanghai.

Maybe worth a visit to your bank and see what they might be able to provide.

Hope this helps

June 2016 - Update

Now finally applying as absolutely need an METV and can clarify the following, having failed yesterday:

"5. Current bank statement with minimum balance of 50,000 RMB (at least from the last 6 months)"

- For this financial requirement they will not accept a passbook but require your bank to issue a "Personal Certificate of Deposit" (个人存款证明）confirming the minimum total balance over a specific period, being no less than ¥50,000 and for at least the last 6 months.

Hope this is useful for other applicants.

This is the detail of the basic requirements:

Multiple Entry Documents Required

1. Passport or travel documents with validity of not less than 6 months and its copy

2. Two visa application forms completely filled out

3. Two recent photographs of the applicant (2 inches)

4. Valid permanent residence / residence permit of the People’s Republic of China

5. Current bank statement with minimum balance of 50,000 RMB (at least from the last 6 months)

6. Guarantee Letter (in English or Thai) from the applicant’s local guarantor, indicating the applicant’s name, purpose and period of the stay in Thailand and guaranteeing that the applicant will come back to China as scheduled.

6.1 For Company Employee: a guarantee letter from the applicant’s employer (the company the applicant works for)

6.2 For Self-Employed Applicant: a guarantee letter issued by the Sub-District Office (街道办事处) or the local police station.

6.3 For Student: a guarantee letter issued by the school or academic institution is required

6.4 For the Unemployed and the Retire: a guarantee letter issued by the Sub-District Office (街道办事处) or the local police station

7. Evidence of air ticket reservation to Thailand (first entry)

8. Evidence of accommodation reservation in Thailand (first entry)