Anyone have any experience with Thai immigration (probably relating to Chiang Mai rather than Bangkok) and their flexibility of extensions during the "Under Consideration" period of the 1 year extension?

 

I am currently awaiting the final stamp for this years extension, it is not due until the end of the month, however, I probably need to make travel arrangements again to go back to the UK in the next few days and I cannot really guarantee a return to Thailand date.

Has anyone had a similar circumstance where they needed to travel outside of Thailand during the consideration period where they may have to stay for an extended period (maybe 3 months) outside of Thailand without having their extension cancelled?

I have about 16 years here on a year by year extension, but due to family circumstances in the UK, I need to leave, and cannot give an accurate return date, but do not want to lose my extension and have to start the application process again.

Do Thai immigration have any leeway in possibly granting the year extension a couple of weeks earlier than the date stamped in my passport, or are they able to extend the under consideration for maybe 3 months to prevent voiding the visa?

Any info is greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

You should check with immigration to see if it is completed yet. They might even be able to get it expedited by contacting the approving division headquarters if you explained it was a emergency.

They would not be able to flexible about the date. You would need a re-entry permit to avoid losing your extension and it would only be valid to the report back date.

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You should check with immigration to see if it is completed yet. They might even be able to get it expedited by contacting the approving division headquarters if you explained it was a emergency.

They would not be able to flexible about the date. You would need a re-entry permit to avoid losing your extension and it would only be valid to the report back date.

Cheers Joe, appreciated. I just don't really know who I would need to talk to down at immigration to be able to get this to happen. Unfortunately in all the years I have had to deal with CM Immigration they are tied by rules when you get to the front desk. How to get past the front desk and who to speak to that can help in this sort of situation?  Trying to go over the heads of the front line troops only gets their back's up, who would you ask to speak to without making them lose face?

 

(a couple of years back, I turned up 2 days earlier than the date in my passport and they just wouldn't even listen to me, just told me not to come back until the due date)

Edited March 19, 20206 yr by Formaleins

8 minutes ago, Formaleins said:

How to get past the front desk and who to speak to that can help in this sort of situation? 

Not sure how to past the front desk. You would need to talk to the people that accepted your extension application.

19 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Not sure how to past the front desk. You would need to talk to the people that accepted your extension application.

Cheers, at least you give me some hope it might be possible!

Did you consider that you might not be let back in due to some corona virus travel restrictions?

19 minutes ago, jackdd said:

Did you consider that you might not be let back in due to some corona virus travel restrictions?

Yes, certainly did but that is secondary to me at the moment. I just need to make sure that my extension is legal and valid. Whatever happens with the virus garbage will get sorted out, but if I don't keep to the rules then I will be scuppered!