tourist visa verse retirement visa

[aussie mark]

My thai retirement visa is due and I have my 5 year thai driving license and I own a condo in thailand.Can anyone see a downside to getting double entry tourist visa from Sydney?

[ubonjoe]

A two entry tourist visa no longer exists. You can only get a multiple entry tourist visa (METV) now.

The METV allows unlimited 60 day entries for 6 months from the date of issue.

Perhaps check the requirements here on the Sydney consulate website. http://www.thaiembassy.org/sydney/en/other/96008-TOURIST-VISA.html

If you are on a extension of stay based upon retirement issued by immigration I think keeping it would be best.

[Matzzon]

Due to that you do not have a tourist visa before, they will probably let you in on one. No downside there. They might ask at the airport why you changed from retirement to tourist, but they will most probably let you in.

The downside is the next visa, and the one after that if you plan such activity. Then you will probably at a later stage on the second or third visa get denied entry to Thailand under todays interpretation of the rules.