Retirement Extension but still come and go?

[KhaoYai]

I was due to move to Thailand this year but may have to delay that due to health problems requiring quite a few hospital visits. Worried that the rules may change on retirement visas I was considering going ahead and applying for a retirement extension. I known that you can get a re-entry permit but will it be frowned upon if I'm actually out of the country more than I'm in?

[allane]

No problem.  You can come and go as often as you like. A multiple Re-entry Permit is available, which saves a little money and paperwork if you expect four or more trips. And it doesn't matter even if you spend most of your time out of Thailand. Note: you can only do your annual renewal In Thailand, so you need to be here then. 

[Coconut Kidd]

Get the re-entry or multiple re-entry if needed and you will be fine. Be aware you may be required to file a TM30 upon re-entry depending on you immigration office.

[bkk6060]

I do not understand why so many do not get the multiple entry.

If you have family abroad or health insurance in another country, life happens.

It can be necessary to come a go several times.

That and the fact leaving Thailand from time to time to visit a neighboring country for a few days, can be a good and healthy thing.

I always use it several times and actually save money over the year.

[soisanuk]

5 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

I do not understand why so many do not get the multiple entry.

If you have family abroad or health insurance in another country, life happens.

It can be necessary to come a go several times.

That and the fact leaving Thailand from time to time to visit a neighboring country for a few days, can be a good and healthy thing.

I always use it several times and actually save money over the year.

If a person expects less than 3 trips, a single should work fine.  I know that 3 single entry permits cost less than a multiple (1,000 each vs 3,800 for M) -- but remember, a single stamp takes up a not so small portion of the passport page - so, if you need to save space in passport, the extra 800 may be worth it.

Edited July 9, 2018 by soisanuk

[Sophon]

5 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

I do not understand why so many do not get the multiple entry.

If you have family abroad or health insurance in another country, life happens.

It can be necessary to come a go several times.

That and the fact leaving Thailand from time to time to visit a neighboring country for a few days, can be a good and healthy thing.

I always use it several times and actually save money over the year.

Why would I want to waste money on a re-entry permit, if I don't expect to leave Thailand? I am on my 7th extension and have left Thailand twice in that period, so doing as you suggest would have cost me an extra THB 24,600 for no good reason. If I should need to make an unexpected trip because of a family emergency, I can always get a re-entry permit at the airport.

 

Just because a multiple re-entry permit makes sense for your particular circumstances, doesn't necessarily make it the right choice for other people.

 

Sophon 

[bkk6060]

2 minutes ago, Sophon said:

Why would I want to waste money on a re-entry permit, if I don't expect to leave Thailand? I am on my 7th extension and have left Thailand twice in that period, so doing as you suggest would have cost me an extra THB 24,600 for no good reason. If I should need to make an unexpected trip because of a family emergency, I can always get a re-entry permit at the airport.

 

Just because a multiple re-entry permit makes sense for your particular circumstances, doesn't necessarily make it the right choice for other people.

 

Sophon 

 

Most people I know are active like to travel around and see other countries, so makes a lot of sense for them.

But, if you do nothing but stay here, then it works for you.

[malt25]

8 minutes ago, Sophon said:

Why would I want to waste money on a re-entry permit, if I don't expect to leave Thailand? I am on my 7th extension and have left Thailand twice in that period, so doing as you suggest would have cost me an extra THB 24,600 for no good reason. If I should need to make an unexpected trip because of a family emergency, I can always get a re-entry permit at the airport.

 

Just because a multiple re-entry permit makes sense for your particular circumstances, doesn't necessarily make it the right choice for other people.

 

Sophon 

Wow, bit harsh ! I don't see anywhere in the post that it was directed toward you or other non travelers. I took the post as a generalization & offering a bit of info.

You get out of bed on the wrong side this mornin ?

[Sophon]

4 minutes ago, malt25 said:

Wow, bit harsh ! I don't see anywhere in the post that it was directed toward you or other non travelers. I took the post as a generalization & offering a bit of info.

You get out of bed on the wrong side this mornin ?

Not at all. He said he didn't understand why more people didn't apply for a multiple re-entry permit when getting their extension. I gave him a reason using my own circumstances, that many people living here hardly travel at all, and many more fewer than the 4 times a year that would make it economical to go for a multiple re-entry permit.

 

Nothing harsh in my post unless you are trying to read something into what I wrote that isn't there.

 

Sophon

[Suradit69]

2 hours ago, Sophon said:

Just because a multiple re-entry permit makes sense for your particular circumstances, doesn't necessarily make it the right choice for other people.

Some people on TV have a great deal of difficulty imagining people with other interests, circumstances or lifestyles than their own. Why would anyone not want to be just like them?

[Lacessit]

11 hours ago, allane said:

No problem.  You can come and go as often as you like. A multiple Re-entry Permit is available, which saves a little money and paperwork if you expect four or more trips. And it doesn't matter even if you spend most of your time out of Thailand. Note: you can only do your annual renewal In Thailand, so you need to be here then. 

The  multiple re-entry permit is exactly that. However, how does one get back into Thailand on a single re-entry permit if they leave and come back three times in a calendar year?

[allane]

If that question is directed to me....At the risk of stating the obvious;a single entry Re-entry Permit can only be used once.  However, there is nothing stopping you from getting an additional single Re-entry Permit (or more than one) if you wish. However, as someone stated above, they do consume pages in your passport.

[Lacessit]

1 minute ago, allane said:

If that question is directed to me....At the risk of stating the obvious;a single entry Re-entry Permit can only be used once.  However, there is nothing stopping you from getting an additional single Re-entry Permit (or more than one) if you wish. However, as someone stated above, they do consume pages in your passport.

I understand that. However, say I anticipate two trips out of Thailand after getting an extension. Do I purchase them via the agent I use in one transaction, or apply for the second one as I come in through Suvarnabhumi?

[ubonjoe]

19 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Do I purchase them via the agent I use in one transaction, or apply for the second one as I come in through Suvarnabhumi?

You would get one and the other one later. You can only have one valid re-entry permit at a time in your passport.

They could be obtained on departure from the country at Suvarnabhumi.

[berybert]

44 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

The  multiple re-entry permit is exactly that. However, how does one get back into Thailand on a single re-entry permit if they leave and come back three times in a calendar year?

They get a re-entry permit. 

[Artful Dodger]

Did not know about re-entry permits... I take it they don't change the exit by date, i.e. if you have an SETV that is good for 60/90 days, the clock is still ticking while you are away and you will still have to leave Thailand within 60/90 days of the original date of entry. I just had a quick google on that but I didn't find anything that made it clear.

[bkk6060]

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

The  multiple re-entry permit is exactly that. However, how does one get back into Thailand on a single re-entry permit if they leave and come back three times in a calendar year?

Pay money....

[ubonjoe]

9 minutes ago, Artful Dodger said:

Did not know about re-entry permits... I take it they don't change the exit by date, i.e. if you have an SETV that is good for 60/90 days, the clock is still ticking while you are away and you will still have to leave Thailand within 60/90 days of the original date of entry. I just had a quick google on that but I didn't find anything that made it clear.

A re-entry permit does not allow any additional days. It only keeps the permit to stay date valid that you got on entry or the extension of it.

 

 

[DJ54]

Oops it’s turned into a debate. If single works or multiple.....do what works for you. I get the single just because travel ISR down and Thailand is pretty good place. 

[Lacessit]

52 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You would get one and the other one later. You can only have one valid re-entry permit at a time in your passport.

They could be obtained on departure from the country at Suvarnabhumi.

Thanks Ubon Joe. Where is the office that issues re-entry permits at Suvarnabhumi located?

[ubonjoe]

24 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Thanks Ubon Joe. Where is the office that issues re-entry permits at Suvarnabhumi located?

After security in immigration zone 2 just before the departure immigration desks.

More info here.

 

[KhaoYai]

Confused. Is there a choice of re-entry permits then? Multiple and single?

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, KhaoYai said:

Confused. Is there a choice of re-entry permits then? Multiple and single?

It is you choice as to where you want to get a single re-entry permit or a multiple re-entry permit.

IMO if you plan on making 3 or more trips out of the country it is best to get a multiple re-entry permit. The extra 800 baht is worth the extra time spent to get 3 single re-entry permits.

[TSF]

11 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

I do not understand why so many do not get the multiple entry.

If you have family abroad or health insurance in another country, life happens.

It can be necessary to come a go several times.

That and the fact leaving Thailand from time to time to visit a neighboring country for a few days, can be a good and healthy thing.

I always use it several times and actually save money over the year.

I agree entirely with you. Works for me, every year when I renew my retirement at the same time I get the multi-re-entry, so I come and go like a Thai person. One of the reasons I live in Thailand is the proximity to all the interesting surrounding countries, so as often as I can I'm taking trips for a few days, or a couple weeks, to neighboring countries. In fact just back from 5 very enjoyable days in Siem Reap. I like living in Thailand and I love getting out of the country for a spell every now and then.

[muffy]

Get it at the airport .

[KhaoYai]

29 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It is you choice as to where you want to get a single re-entry permit or a multiple re-entry permit.

IMO if you plan on making 3 or more trips out of the country it is best to get a multiple re-entry permit. The extra 800 baht is worth the extra time spent to get 3 single re-entry permits.

Thanks for that - much appreciated.

[BritTim]

9 hours ago, Lacessit said:

The  multiple re-entry permit is exactly that. However, how does one get back into Thailand on a single re-entry permit if they leave and come back three times in a calendar year?

When using single re-entry permits, you need to purchase one each time before leaving Thailand. That is why (when making 3+ trips) it makes sense to use a multiple re-entry permit. It is more convenient, saves space in your passport, and may save money (assuming at least four trips over the period of your one-year extension of stay).

[mahjongguy]

" Do I purchase them via the agent I use in one transaction, or apply for the second one as I come in through Suvarnabhumi? "

 

Just to make it even more clear, you cannot purchase a Re-Entry Permit on arrival, nor can you purchase (or possess) more than one Re-Entry Permit at a time.

[KhaoYai]

To be honest, its not the amount of times I may come and go, its that I may be out of Thailand for extended periods.  I understand that I have to be there at the correct time to renew my extension and clearly I would do my best to avoid that.  Given that I don't yet know what treatment I'm going to receive and over how long a period, I can't say how long I'll be out of the country or how many times I'll leave.  It may be considered a waste of time me obtaining a retirement extension but I'm trying to avoid difficulties with bureaucracy etc. in Thailand.  For example, I have a Thai bank account but I was told about a bloke who after having a bank account for several years was asked to 'renew' his details which included sight of his current visa.  Up to now I've always been on a Non O but for personal reasons, I might not be able to renew that now.  I don't want to be called in to my bank and asked to 'renew' my details as without a long term visa they may close my account - unlikely but this is Thailand. Also, as I said in my first post on this thread, I'm concerned that visa rules may change - the one thing that seems to be be fair about Thailand is that as far as I know, existing visa holders usually have their rights grandfathered when rules change.