I'm pondering to no longer consider myself a kind of prisoner while allowed to stay here, but move around abroad to see what is on offer elsewhere. 

 

The first question, what to do if the extension is due while travelling, has been answered in this forum already, in my words: Don't let it happen, make sure you're in the country to have it done. 

 

The other then is, how many of the 12 months granted do I actually have to pass here, without losing the eligibility for another extension if desired? This seems to be a mystery. Has anyone been there and done it?
 

Visas are not extended so I assume you mean a extension of stay based upon retirement.

You could leave the country after your extension is done and return the day before expires to apply for a new one if you wanted to. There is no requirement to be in the country any amount of time other than long enough to apply for new extension of stay.

Thank you for taking the time. It's possible that my terminology isn't 100 % correct, but we seem to mean the same thing. And regarding the information supplied, are you certain that this is the way things are? How can you be? 

 

 

34 minutes ago, visacrack said:

And regarding the information supplied, are you certain that this is the way things are? How can you be? 

Yes I am certain. There is no rule that states how long you have to stay in the Thailand for any amount of time. If you think about it why would there be such a requirement.

Many people only stay half a year or less during their extensions. Some only stay here during the winter months in their home country.

Sounds convincing. Still putting yourself into the place of rule makers is a tricky thing - it may work out, but then again it may not. I do appreciate your advice, still I understand you do not have field experience of your own. Would anyone have? 
 

24 minutes ago, visacrack said:

Sounds convincing. Still putting yourself into the place of rule makers is a tricky thing - it may work out, but then again it may not. I do appreciate your advice, still I understand you do not have field experience of your own. Would anyone have? 

I know a number of "snowbirds" who escape the northern hemisphere winter by living in Thailand during that time. They get their annual extension in the 4 or 5 months that they spend here. The majority of the time they live in their own countries and have no problem with getting annual extensions even though they don't spend the majority of their time here. For them having the 12 months permission to stay removes the need to do a visa run (or two)

Thanks a lot, you actually help me realise what was less than accurate in my previous replique. I should have said, 'Is there anyone who has done exactly that, ie leave the country right after obtaining the extension and come back a few days before it expires (plus successfully obtained another 1-year lease of thai life)'? But I do realise this assumption is rather extreme, and your examples might already cover the situation. Thanks for helping! 

2 hours ago, visacrack said:

Sounds convincing. Still putting yourself into the place of rule makers is a tricky thing - it may work out, but then again it may not. I do appreciate your advice, still I understand you do not have field experience of your own. Would anyone have? 
 

You can be assured that anything UJ posts is accurate and in line with the rules, whether he has the “field” experience or not. 
‘Having said that, there are isolated immigration offices that interpret the rules in a different way and even occasionally change them from one day to the next so no one will ever be able to give you a 100% correct advise.