I am in L.O.S. on a single entry Non -O and my 90 days expire in 3 weeks.

I need to leave the country to go to China, but where I am going there is no Thai consulate to get another visa. Is it possible to apply for a multiple re-entry permit with this type of visa? I have not applied for a one year extension of stay and would prefer not to as I am told that the immigration office in my area can take up to a month to grant this. And if successful does this mean that I can now leave and return to Thailand every 90 days prior to completing the one year without applying for an extension of stay?

Yes you can apply for a re-entry permit on any visa entry.

But it does not extend your entry or visa.

It would not be any use to you unless you plan a short trip - you will still have to leave in 3 weeks and the re-entry permit will not change that.

On what basis would you apply for a one year extension of stay? For retirement it is granted immediately - for family there will be at least a month delay. For business there would also be a delay.

Thanks Lopburi!

I guess I will have to apply for the one year extension of stay. However when I spoke with the immigration office in my area they said they would only grant a 3 month extension and I would have to go to BKK to apply for the one year. I am here as a volunteer and having to pay for extensions every 3 months or travel to BKK is costly for the organization I am assisting.

So that I am clear on the rules for future travel - do I understand it correctly that if I obtain a multiple entry Non-O outsdie of Thailand then I would not have to apply for an extension of stay but just leave the country every 90 days until the year is complete? The benefit of this is the organization is located close to a border crossing.

Thank you

A multi entry non immigrant visa allows entry for up to 90 days for the period of it's validity (normally one year from issue date). You only have to enter another country and return to obtain a new 90 day stamp so can be used for up to almost 15 month stay. It is not normally issued by most Consulates in the area anymore.