JimGant

"Immigration usually don't like to extend Non-Immigrant visa's for short terms. You can try 'em. It does happen, so it is up to your sales skill and large smile. Good luck."

"If you do this you are also subject to the 90 day address reporting requirement so make sure to take care of that or confirm your immigration office counts your visit as a report."

Thanks. Sounds like I could hit a brick wall should I want to stay past 90 days.

Ok, question on plan 2 (long-stay extension): If I enter Thailand on, say, 10 Jan '05 on a Non Imm 'O' visa, then successfully obtain an extension based on retirement, what is the window in 2006 for renewing this extension? Up to one week before 10 Jan '06? What if I can't make it to Immigration until 12 Jan '06? Any grace period after the anniversary date?

Again, thanks for your time.

A good reason is the general requirement. Convenience isn't a good reason.

Doc,

I hate to be dense, but I don't understand what you mean.

I've broached this subject on several threads, but still don't know if I could get a 30-day extension, or even a 10-day extension, to my 90-day stay from a Non Imm 'O' multientry visa. Possibly it would depend on my circumstances, so here goes:

I come to Thailand three times per year, with each stay approximately 80 days. The Non Imm 'O' is granted based on marriage to a Thai, who also hops several times a year between the States and Thailand. I can forsee sometime in the future where I'd like to extend, albeit briefly, my 90-day entry permit. I've got the resources to get a long-stay extension based on retirement (or marriage), but since I cannot guarantee I'll be in Thailand the same time every year (required to renew the long-stay extension), that doesn't seem to be an option. And as long as my old Mum is alive and kicking, my segmented visits will need to continue.

As mentioned on another thread, my multientry visa has NO stamp stating "No extension permitted." So, back to the original question: Can 90-day stays be extended for short terms? Anything specifically prohibiting this? Or is the prevailing wisdom that you're either here for 90 days or less -- or for one year (long-stay). No in-between situations allowed. Doesn't make any sense to me, especially since I could show Immigration that I meet the financial requirements for a long-stay -- but only want a 30-day extension. Heck, the cost would even be the same as for a long-stay.

Anyway, your take (or Lop's or anyone's) would be appreciated. I'd ask Immigration, but Mum, not Thailand, owns me this month.

Thanx.

Hillly,

We usually do go out after 90 days and for the last two years only extended stay a week or so before a flight.

I will see if Pattaya imigration are up for the idea. Have to extend for 2 weeks before flying to the PI for new years. Hope you guys are right as having to leave can be a pain in the arse.

Don't quite understand..... It sounds like you have been successful in the past extending your stay "a week or so" past 90 days. Is this correct?

If so, what's the big deal about now having to extend "for 2 weeks" before heading to the PI? (Or were your previous extensions via the pay-baht-at-the-airport routine?)

Just curious, as I have yet to get anything definitive on this forum about how easy (or difficult) it is to extend short-term a 90-day stay. In fact, I've yet to hear anyone say they've extended a 90-day stay for a short duration (10-30 days), let alone what hoops they had to jump thru to do so.

The idea of an FAQ section was bandied about last year and I even volunteered to do it, however when I started trying to put it together, I quickly came to the same conclusion as lop.

There are some good Thaivisa.com Links to information on visas and work permits etc already, maybe we could pin a thread pointing that out.

You're right, there are some excellent Thaivisa.com links available, including a FAQ page, which I'd been oblivious to until searching the last 10 minutes. Why? Because I go directly to "Thaivisa.com/forum" per bookmark, and there is no decent navigation to these links from here -- only a link to "Thaivisa.com," which doesn't give me, nor certainly any new guy, any idea where this goes. And if a new guy lands in the forum as his first step, the two pinned articles in the visa section don't direct him to "Thaivisa.com" and its navigation bar, where he can click on many pages (including FAQs) that might answer his questions.

So, Bronco, I agree -- a new pinned article pointing to "Thaivisa.com" would seem in order.

You gotta believe it Jim ... that Extension Not Permitted means absolutely nothing. It is there so they can get rid of you if you are up to no good

Yeah, Doc. It certainly is meaningless for those who apply for one-year extensions based on support or retirement. But why no 'extensions not permitted' stamp on Non Imm 'O' multiple entry visas? Can they, indeed, get a 30-day extension, while single entry types cannot?

I sure would like hear any feedback on experience with this. I usually stay 80 days per visit -- but might want to stay 120 days in the future.

Anyone ever extend a 90-day stay for another 30? Or 10?

Ok. I guess wrestling down a moving baseline could be a little challenging.

I like Firefox, but have to hit "view, text size, increase" everytime I log on. I've fiddled with font sizes in "options,'' but no joy.

Is there any way I can have this increased viewing automatically take place when I log on?

Good answer! Correct and to the point.

Typical Lopburi. His visa/immigration answers are always right to the point, without filler, and caveated when there are gray areas. Has been a great help to me (including one time regarding electricity in Thailand).

Just wish he'd set-up a FAQ page with his visa/immigration info, making it required reading before all these newcomers recycle every two months (or is that weeks?).

Enough new experiences show up on this forum daily the keep such a FAQ a living piece-of-work -- and Lop busy.

Just an idea.....

It's curious that a Non Imm 'O' single entry visa has stamped on it something to the effect " no extensions permitted." But Non Imm 'O' multiple entry visas do not have this stamp (in my experience). Is 90-days sacrosanct **unless** you've been screened for the coveted 'multiple entry' award, i.e., you've been given a visa good for essentially 15-months? Yes, I know, border hops are involved to get this 15-months -- but why no stamp saying you can't get an extension? Does this mean you can get a 30 day extension?

Anyways, you don't (or shouldn't) have a stamp prohibiting an extension -- so maybe you can get one. As others have said, no harm trying. And you certainly have the time to do so.

I may be in the same boat soon, so please -- if you do talk with Immigration -- post the results. Thanx.

Tex,

I don't understand why they want house papers(?). Your wife doesn't have to live in Thailand (and have house papers) for you to get a Non Imm 'O' based on your marriage. This comes later when you apply for an extension. -- when she'll need a valid Thai ID tied to house papers.

I annually get my Non Imm 'O' from the Thai Embassy in DC. All's they require, in my experience, has been a copy of the marriage certiificate, a copy of my wife's Thai ID card, and a letter saying we're still married (which they didn't ask for last time). As for the Thai ID, the wife's is current -- but I know of cases where an expired ID or an expired Thai passport was ok, as they're just varifying Thai nationality, which doesn't expire.

Are you physically going to the Embassy? If you don't live in the DC area (I do), and will be doing all of this by mail, you're much better off with one of the honorary Consulates, based on the feedback on this forum. And if in Texas, you've got three to choose from, with Houston getting the best feedback. Here's a link to all the ones in the US (scroll to the bottom).

Honorary Consulates

And I wouldn't quit on getting the 'O,' especially if you're going to have to mail the passport in anyways. Yes, you can upgrade a tourist visa to an 'O' in Thailand on the way to your extension request. But you could possibly be turned down too, as this option on the MFA site gives the standard qualifiyer: At the discretion of the Immigration Officer.

I have a feeling you may have mentioned the word 'retirement' when talking to the Embassy and they then built things up. I would only say "family reunion" as reason for request for the 'O,' which their website clearly states as a valid reason. This will at least get you to Thailand, where you can then work on the extension part. Oh, if bucks aren't a problem, I'd get multiple entry to give you some maneuvering room should things not go exactly as planned.

Check out those honoraries , tho' -- even if you DO live in DC. If you've already had a face to face at the Embassy, you may be tainted.

Previously I showed the quarterly wire transfer reciepts and bankbook but no verification from the Consulate and never experienced a problem.

Was this true with your initial application -- i.e.,have you never had to show proof of iincome whenever you had 800k in the bank?

Believe that it is always required on first application as the whole purpose is to prove you have funds to support yourself - not a one time 800k bank deposit.

Lop,

I wonder if I could get by just showing my US Govt pension printout, without having it notarized, if this is in conjunction with 800k in bank? Seem to recall that you go the marriage extension route, with applicable funds in bank, but do show a non notarized statement of income as back-up?

I'll be doing the retirement drill in Chiang Mai soon, with 800k in the bank (maybe a lot more if the dollar contiinues south ). Can others share their recent (and initial) experiences on this subject with Chiang Mai Immigration?

Thanx.

I have always kept over 800,000 Baht in TFB that was transferred from the USA

Then, I'm not sure why you want a notarized proof of income? It's my understanding it's 'either/or' with extensions based on retirement. However, for extensions based on support (marriage), some, I believe, have been asked for proof of income even tho' they met the deposit requirement.

Having to trek to the Embassy every year to pay to have statements verified doesn't seem too productive -- if not needed.

Have you heard something to the contrary?

Don't forget the re-entry permit if you travel after the extension is granted Scouse.

I was informed that if I left Thailand whilst the application was under consideration it would automaticallly lapse and I'd have to start from scratch.

I thought you could get a reentry stamp to travel while your application was under consideration BUT you had to be back in Thailand in time for the reappearance date at Immigration(?).

It's clear, that a lease can legally be renewed for another 30 years when it expires. But I believe a renewal per definition has to occur at or near the end of the expiration of the original lease

I tend to agree. I've got a thiry-year lease, and 'tho I was aware of the 30+30 (+30) option, the guy at the land office talked us out of it as not being enforceable. I didn't have a lawyer, but a friend who did was advised to go the 30+30 route.

So, who knows. The land office guy was a real stand-up individual; and when asked, 'What do we need to pay in prepaid rent?', his figure was about one/fifth that paid by my lawyer-advised friend for about the same size plot. So, lawyers suck worldwide, I guess.

And I really didn't care, as 30-years down the road I'll be 90, drooling at both ends, and unconcerned.

Is this a Thailand Annual Event?? Or are the paying respects for Veteran's Day Which is on the same date in the states.

Veterans' Day in the States used to be known as Armistice Day, until after WW II, when the name was changed to honor all war veterans. We tried to "Mondayize" this holiday -- and actually did (from '68 to '78). But like Dec 25 and July 4, three-day weekends were trumped by the date's significance.

P1P, thanks for posting those poems. Nothing like poetry to put things in persective.

("In Flanders' Fields" was written by a Canadian doctor. The following site is very enlightening. Why Poppies?)

astral,

I have tax id card. Each year I make a declaration showing that the money I have brought in was already taxed in the UK, and is therefore exempt, under the Dual Taxation agreement between the UK and Thailand. This means I pay tax on my income in the Uk and not here, but keep both sides off my back.

You mean you file every year with Thai tax authorities a declaration that you owe them nothing? Plus, you have a tax id card?

Sounds like in the past you did have to pay Thai taxes -- thus the tax id card. Otherwise, I'm a bit confused.

If all your worldwide income is taxed by the UK, and you have the tax return to prove it, why would you file with the Thais? Should they come knocking on your door, all's you have to do is show your UK tax return (and maybe a copy of the tax treaty). But the chance of them knocking on your door seems nil if you're talking about money earned (and taxed) abroad(?).

Just curious. I've read a lot of your posts -- and you definitely have your sh-- together. So, there must be an explanation......

The "and/or" confusion has been discussed on this forum several times. I believe the consensus was the standard answer when it comes to Thai immigration rules:

Your mileage may vary, depending on the Immigration Office, and/or the Immigration Officer.

Just been to the local police station and yes they'll supply the information for £10, but not in time for my departure. I'm about to find out if they will send the reply to me in Thailand. Fingers crossed.

My old'ish information says you need a criminal record in home country to get a retirement visa

This only applies if you wish to retire in Australia.

A friend of mine had his house both designed and built by the firm shown in the below website. He was extremely happy with the results and professionalism. Owner has been in business many years, and some of his homes can be seen at the website. I can only assume he would design for you without a construction contract as well.....(?)

There's a contact email address at the website, and, yes, he speaks excellent English.

http://www.housingsupplies.com

Chonabot,

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz why does it always have to retort to the " We saved your asses!" speel with you yanks?

You're right. That was a little over the top. And certainly not aimed at our Limey cousins.

When I say "Europe," I somehow don't mentally include Britain. (I swear, my early geography lessons differentiated between the "British Isles" and "Europe.")

And I certainly know how valiant Britain was during WWII -- unlike your "European" allies. I'm glad we could help you guys win 'your' war.

I guess I'm just tired of paying billions a year to have troops STILL in Germany and Korea, especially if we're going to be hassled by those we're supposedly helping.

Being a superpower sucks. And it's expensive. As has been pointed out on this thread, our 'current account' is dangerously out-of-kilter. The dollar will certainly have to devalue, and we (the US) will need to readjust our global committments. Bush, with all his faults, is probably more able to do this than Kerry would have been.

Cheers.

I guess you had to stand in a voting line Tuesday to understand all of this. I did, for nearly two hours. And I never saw anyone leave the line before he/she voted, when it could have been so easy to rationalize doing so. ("My single vote doesn't make a ###### bit of difference -- why am I standing here?"). Yes, if we had more computerized voting, things would go much faster. But, we've spent too much in Europe defending them from themselves as well as from the Soviets. So, our misspent tax dollars for the past 60 years have robbed Americans of better education, better health care, 6-week vacations like the Europeans (we only get 2-weeks, if lucky), and, yes, a better voting infrastructure. But, I felt lucky to be able to stand in line Tuesday, a small obligation to a Nation that's given me lots. Besides, if Bush does anything right, it will be bringing our forces home from Europe (and Korea).

It won't make much difference that Bush won. Kerry was stuck with Iraq, and had few options different from Bush. Yes, maybe additional European nations would have offered to help out under Kerry; but this would have been in platoon strength, with no expense sharing -- but lots of salivating over potential contracts. Worthless. My only reason for liking Kerry was that he was going to tax the rich, which would help our enormous deficit. Other than that, Kerry was an oportunist, with little substance.

And we all agree, Bush has nothing to rave about. Iraq was a huge mistake -- and he was misserved by his staff, particularly the "Pro Israel at America's Expense" crowd, who got us there. Hopefully, they'll be replaced. But there won't be any more "Iraqs" soon -- we don't have the troop strength for it.

Why, then, were we stuck with losers like Bush and Kerry? Simple. No one of substance wants to run for high office in America -- because there's absolutely no privacy from the press. Kennedy's many affairs were 'off limits' to the press. But Clinton's presidency showed how things had changed -- tawdry sold better than substantive. A free press is a 'must' in a democracy to keep things level (as Thailand is finding out). However, Paparazzi mentality needs to be controlled, or a nation's finest will not run for office.

Bush won the popular as well as electoral college votes, so there is no controversy this election. For those of you who don't understand why we have an 'electoral college,' let me just say 'senator.' Each state has two senators, regardless of population. This is how our Founders established things: each state was semi-sovereign in the Senate, but was representative in the House based on population. In effect, sparsely populated agrarian states (e.g., Wyoming) have a disproportionate say against states like California or New York. Thus, the electoral college. This can be changed by Constitutional amendment -- as long as two-thirds of the States ratify it -- and all States' votes are equal regardless of population. Peculiar? Just what is the European Union up to? Is everything based on population -- or does 'soveriegn entity' make any difference? (I certainly don't know-- my family hasn't followed Europe for 200 years.)

Anyway, the election in America won't change much. The system of 'checks and balances,' another of our Founders' notions, will prevent any real radical deviations. Yes, Iraq was a mistake, as was Vietnam (and maybe Korea, the Marshal Plan, etc). Our leaders do seem to get a 'holier-than-thou' notion at times, but I think Iraq will prevent any such notions for a few more generations.

Personally, I'm still mad at the Japanese. If they hadn't bombed us, we probably would have sat out World War II. Then Europe today would be speaking German --or maybe Russian. I wouldn't have cared which. So, if you're looking for a fall guy, try the Japanese for a change. Americans are tired of all your fingers in our faces.

Finally, I wish America could be like the Swiss. Just count our gold, and not do any heavy lifting in the world that might spill our gold, or our blood. Easy enough to do with the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Too bad Charles Lindbergh wasn't running this year (he was an isolationist).

(Soap box closed)

I would be interested in knowing if Ambassador Johnson is a career foreign service officer or a Bush political appointee?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Career. See website

He looks pretty solid, which as a Husky, isn't too surprising.

So Oz gave in. I remember in the States when they tried to convert gas stations to liters. Some did, some didn't. Guess where all the business went. No fiat ever issued, so back to gallons for all.

Interestingly, here in Thailand they use yards on the golf course. Kinda nice, but wonder if yards are universally used by golfers? (He hit the ball over 300 yards somehow has a nicer ring than, he hit the ball over 274.32 meters

And Robert Frost waxing poetically about, "Kilometers and kilometers to go before I sleep." Naaaa.

If you leave the country and come back on your re-entry permit, you do not need to report your address until 90 days AFTER this re-entry because you gave your address in the arrival card (TM 6-form).

Can anyone actually squeeze their address in the space provided? There's barely enough room for 'Chiang Mai' -- and even using "CM," getting house number, moo, tambon, and amphur is impossible.

Doc,

Does Aussie land still use pounds, feet, gallons?

For that matter, what about England?

(I've been to both spots, but a long time ago, and then the only measurement I remember is jigger).

Just curious.