3 minutes ago, connda said:

Personally I'd still go to Vientiane, get the single entry, then go to the immigration office locally to get it changed to a multiple entry. 

That cannot be done. No visa can be changed from a single entry to a multiple entry anywhere.

It is only possible to apply for a one year extension of stay based upon marriage and then get a multiple re-entry permit if needed.

16 minutes ago, connda said:

Well, there ya have it. 

Personally I'd still go to Vientiane, get the single entry, then go to the immigration office locally to get it changed to a multiple entry. 

I assume you mean 1-year extension.  If you read the OP's post #8, he explains why this is no longer possible, thanks to immigration's treatment of his valid foreign-income.  The embassy-letter issue is making this situation even worse for many of us, with no clear path ahead.

 

Many of us on Non-O-MEs are forced to use these Visas, because immigration is most "un-helpful" to us - to spite us being fully qualified to receive a 1-year extension.  Some offices push to be paid off via an agent for legitimate applications (CM is famous for this).  But going along with that crooked-routine mixes our applications with those of unqualified applicants, and ties our legitimate extensions to criminal elements within the system. 

Edited November 26, 20187 yr by JackThompson

16 minutes ago, connda said:

We live in a world of options.  A helpful person shows different ways of accomplishing the same thing.  Hence the offer of a different option.  Now, how that offends anyone is beyond me.  Some folk want to live in a uni-dimensional world I guess.

You mean, you think the OP, who clearly from his original post is concerned about the financial aspect of his trip, would willfully travel from Chiang Mai to Savannakhet via Bangkok, doubling the extent and expense of his trip?

Remind me not to ask you for travel advice next time I plan a trip.

19 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

That cannot be done. No visa can be changed from a single entry to a multiple entry anywhere.

It is only possible to apply for a one year extension of stay based upon marriage and then get a multiple re-entry permit if needed.

I'd go to immigration and get re-entry stamps as I needed them.  So just saying.  Me? I'd go to Vientiane, opt for the SEMV, and obtain re-entry stamps as I needed them, then drive up to Mae Sai.  But that's just me.
 

21 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

But you showed him how to go to a place that doesn't offer the VISA he wanted.

<Reaches up. Pulls zipper across lips.  Disappears into the nether of the Internet cloud.> 

Edited November 26, 20187 yr by connda

1. Fly from CM to Bkk.

2. Fly from Bkk to Sav.

21 minutes ago, Happy Grumpy said:

1. Fly from CM to Bkk.

2. Fly from Bkk to Sav.

Not really a good option. The flight schedule from BKK to Savannakhet requires at least 2 extra nights there to get the visa. 

Flying from CM to Mukdahan via Don Mueang using a fly/service is better and the least costly option by air.

40 minutes ago, connda said:

Me? I'd go to Vientiane, opt for the SEMV, and obtain re-entry stamps as I needed them, then drive up to Mae Sai.

A single entry non-o visa only allows one 90 day entry. A re-entry permit would only be valid to the date the 90 days ends.

2 hours ago, connda said:

In that case, I guess he's going to Savannakhet.  I'll just shut up now. 

What a shame, I was seriously thinking of doing that. Maybe UbonJoe can tell if you can change the single entry for a multiple entry visa at your local IO office.

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

That cannot be done. No visa can be changed from a single entry to a multiple entry anywhere.

It is only possible to apply for a one year extension of stay based upon marriage and then get a multiple re-entry permit if needed.

Thanks Joe, that was what I was wanting to know.????