Questions on How to Begin Extension of Non Imm O Marriage During the Amnesty

[Shaunduhpostman]

I just realized tonight that I may have gotten caught out regarding my plan to switch over to a year extension style Non-Imm Marriage Visa. I thought my visa was up in December because my brain went to sleep and had me confused between my visa finish date (Sept.  8th) and end of ability to stay in Thailand Dec 8th, using the exiting on Sept the 8th and getting the 90 days stamp method taking my stay into December.  But of course you can't do that anymore. So, zorch! Visa is done Sept. 8. So a couple of questions about how to deal with this:

 

1. Does it matter? If our plan is to get a 9 month extension or year extension, whatever it is they give, can we apply for the 60 day extension after both the visa and the 90 day entry stamp have expired up until the Sept 26 date? The amnesty seems to make that unclear. In another recent thread on here, the one about the guy who went to Si Racha immigration and got turned down suggests the answer to that question is  no not necessarily and yes your visa having expired does matter if you are trying to extend it.  But I have read other things from a month ago or so from people like Ubon Joe saying, the date on your  visa doesn't matter once you are in the country, you have that entry permit stamp and that tells you how long you can be here. But the guy who went to Si Racha immigration, his situation is not entirely clear to me. Did they actually refuse his application for a 60 day extension based on marriage or merely try to shoo him away with the overstay accusation when he wanted to ask questions about what one should do in order to do an extention properly. It seems it is more the latter, that they were just trying to chase him out of the place before he even got around to trying to apply for the extension, but it would be really helpful to hear from others who have recently tried to get an extension after their visa validity had expired or to hear from people who know otherwise.

 

The only reason I ask is that from my understanding, I will need to have had my 400k in my Thai bank account for two months  prior to applying for my 9 month extension. I have that money and it is being sent over here but will likely not be in my Transferwise account until Wednesday, Sept 2. I imagine it will take another 2 days to get put into my account by Bangkok Bank which puts the date I will be eligible to start my two month period  at  the very earliest to be on Friday Sept 4, which as it turns out is the first day of the  government holiday being dubbed Songkran, I think, which will run through Monday Sept 7. So that puts the date for when I could show up at immigration with the requisite funds and start my 60 day extension as being on Sept 8 at the very earliest, the last day of my visa. Seems that is cutting it perhaps a bit too close so that leads to my second question:

 

2. Do you have to have your 400k in a Thai bank prior to applying for a 60 day  extension? I would think that you would, otherwise your visa would run out before the money was in for the 60 days, or is there some other factor here I am not aware of that doesnt make that an absolute necessity?

 

3. Will the banks be open on Friday and Monday? Immigration won't be I wouldn't think. Has anyone heard?  The Bangkok Bank website lists the normal April dates for Songkran and no holidays listed for September, though who knows, seems entirely possible they simply didn't update the change of calendar dates for Songkran this year or did they actually close for business this year on the normal Songkran days? Will they actually be open on Sep 4 and 7th, has by any chance anyone asked and found out about this?

 

4. Also, I am not clear on how many extensions we can get for non-O multis. We can get a 60 day extension to visit the wife and is there an additional extension we can get to allow more time to put the money through its 60 day period or some other visa that would serve that purpose or are those two one and the same and there is only one visa extension one can get per year along with the 30 day emergency visa that some can can get with a letter from their embassy? Seems having two 60 day extensions  would solve my problem of not having quite enough time for my money to mature before a 1st 60 day extension would have run out. Though of course if it is not a requirement that my 1 year visa validity period still be on in order to qualify for a longer term extension then it would not be necessary for me to have a second 60 days.

 

Sorry for the long questions, I hope they are at least quasi-clear. Thanks so much in advance to any helpful info or suggestions. Good luck to us all on this, hang in there everybody.

[BritTim]

2. No financial proof is required for the 60-day extension. However, you are correct that you should not time the extension (if it will date from when you make the application) such that the money will not be seasoned for the one-year extension. Normally, this should not be an issue as all 60-day extensions should now be postdated to start on September 26 and expire on 25 November.

 

3. I would not rely on TransferWise transfers showing up in your account over the long weekend. Bank main branches will be closed.

 

4. You can get one 60-day extension per entry into Thailand, and an unlimited number of one-year extensions if you can satisfy the requirements.

[Shaunduhpostman]

Thanks Tim, sounds like good news for me, so what you were saying to question 2,  you mean that we can apply for the 60 day extension now and it won't start till after the 26th? Thats the first time I have heard that, I hope that is correct.  Seems like that would work in my case, I will no doubt have the 400k  in Thailand by around the 10th of Sept. at the latest which would be in time to get the 60 days of seasoning in. Thanks again.

[BritTim]

9 minutes ago, Shaunduhpostman said:

Thanks Tim, sounds like good news for me, so what you were saying to question 2,  you mean that we can apply for the 60 day extension now and it won't start till after the 26th? Thats the first time I have heard that, I hope that is correct.  Seems like that would work in my case, I will no doubt have the 400k  in Thailand by around the 10th of Sept. at the latest which would be in time to get the 60 days of seasoning in. Thanks again.

Obviously verify that your immigration office will operate in the way I outlined (and which has been announced).

[Shaunduhpostman]

Yes, of course I realize many of the offices  like doing things their way. I'm just trying to get an idea of what I could likely do. I will check the announcements then, and if anyone has any links to any such announcements that the 60 day extensions will start after the 26th please do post them. Thanks.

[trucking]

19 hours ago, BritTim said:

Normally, this should not be an issue as all 60-day extensions should now be postdated to start on September 26 and expire on 25 November.

 

Should be but many offices are starting the extension from the day of application , regardless of the official line in Bangkok. Best to check with your own immigration office as soon as possible to see how they are handling extensions.

 

Also , some offices are asking for your marriage licence to be confirmed as still current by your local amper and that you are still with your wife. Apparently this is easy to obtain for a small payment and is done while you wait.

[Peter Denis]

@Shaunduhpostman > You wrote:

I just realized tonight that I may have gotten caught out regarding my plan to switch over to a year extension style Non-Imm Marriage Visa. I thought my visa was up in December because my brain went to sleep and had me confused between my visa finish date (Sept.  8th) and end of ability to stay in Thailand Dec 8th, using the exiting on Sept the 8th and getting the 90 days stamp method taking my stay into December.  But of course you can't do that anymore. So, zorch! Visa is done Sept. 8.

I am confused by your post, so like to have it clarified, BEFORE providing you with info on your options.

I deduct from your post that you entered Thailand on an ME Non Imm O marriage Visa.

But there must be an error in the dates you mentioned, because it is simply not possible that your permission to stay would be dated 8 Sept or 8 Dec, if you did not extend it already.

Therefore some questions to clarify your Visa situation and the options you have:

1 - What was the Visa type on which you entered Thailand, and when was your last entry?

2 - What was the validity date of that Visa (as printed on the Visa sticker) and what was the permission to stay date (as stamped in your passport by border-Immigration) when you entered Thailand last time?

3 - Did you in mean time already apply for an extension of stay at your local IO, and if so which extension did you apply for, when was it issued and what was the permission to stay date it provided?

4 - What is your age, nationality and are you officially married to a thai national or have thai dependant children?

5 - Do you have evidence of foreign income, e.g. a pension statement or salary still paid out?

>> The answers on these questions will clarify your Visa situation as well as the options you have.

[Peter Denis]

See my post #7 to clarify your Visa situation, but here already the requirements when applying for the 60-day extension of stay for reason of visiting your Thai wife (or Thai dependent children).

 

When you apply for the 60-day extension of stay for reason of visiting your Thai wife, she will have to be with you when you apply and she has to bring her ID-card and a copy of it. 

You would need to provide proof of residence.

If your wife is the owner of the place you are staying, a copy of the house-book from that place will do.  When renting, a copy of the rental agreement will be needed with signed copies of the owners house book and ID card (front/back) signed by the owner.

To prove you are still married, you need to bring the original Kor Ror 3 (Thai marriage certificate) as well as a copy of it. And most offices will also want a recent printout (not older than 1 week) of your Kor Ror 2 (certificate of Thai marriage registration), which can be requested at any Amphoe and will be issued on the spot (cost between 5 and 20 THB).

You will also need a completed TM7 form with a 4 X 6 cm photo attached, as well as copies of your passport photo page, Visa sticker, entry stamp (with permission to stay date) and your TM6 departure card.

[Tanoshi]

28 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

I deduct from your post that you entered Thailand on an ME Non Imm O marriage Visa.

But there must be an error in the dates you mentioned, because it is simply not possible that your permission to stay would be dated 8 Sept or 8 Dec, if you did not extend it already.

I think he stated his Non O expired Sept 8th.

Any POS would have expired, he's on amnesty.

If he had the 400K (seasoned) in the bank, he should try applying for the 1 year extension before Sept 8th.

 

Alternatively if he needs to season funds, then he should apply for the 60 day extension > Non O > Extension.

[Peter Denis]

24 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

I think he stated his Non O expired Sept 8th.

Any POS would have expired, he's on amnesty.

If he had the 400K (seasoned) in the bank, he should try applying for the 1 year extension before Sept 8th.

 

Alternatively if he needs to season funds, then he should apply for the 60 day extension > Non O > Extension.

Yes, if he did not already apply for an extension, he must be on Amnesty extension now.

It is possible that the validity of his ME Non Imm O marriage Visa will expire 8 Sept.  But why did he mention 8 Dec then?

I like to have clarity about his actual Visa situation before commenting on his options, and maybe getting it wrong due to mis-understanding / incorrect terminology used.

[ubonjoe]

18 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

It is possible that the validity of his ME Non Imm O marriage Visa will expire 8 Sept.  But why did he mention 8 Dec then?

He wrote this.

9 hours ago, Shaunduhpostman said:

I thought my visa was up in December because my brain went to sleep and had me confused between my visa finish date (Sept.  8th) and end of ability to stay in Thailand Dec 8th, using the exiting on Sept the 8th and getting the 90 days stamp method taking my stay into December. 

His visa expires on September 8th. He was thinking if he could of leave before the 8th he could of  gotten a new 90 day entry to December.

In fact there is no way his current entry would of ended on September 8th. He would of had to of entered the country in June using his visa to stay until September.

[Peter Denis]

1 hour ago, Peter Denis said:

@Shaunduhpostman

I am confused by your post, so like to have it clarified, BEFORE providing you with info on your options.

...

@Shaunduhpostman > No need to answer on above post anymore.  Tanoshi and UJ cleared up the confusion your original post created in my mind.

[Bangkok Barry]

6 hours ago, trucking said:

Should be but many offices are starting the extension from the day of application , regardless of the official line in Bangkok.

So a very good reason to leave it until the last minute, in case those who make up their own rules, over-ruling Bangkok HO, decide to do the above. The number 1 thing I hate about living in Thailand is every office, every department, every person in a uniform, deciding their own rules - and being allowed to do so. So you never know where you stand. It's pathetic.

[Max69xl]

11 hours ago, Shaunduhpostman said:

Thanks Tim, sounds like good news for me, so what you were saying to question 2,  you mean that we can apply for the 60 day extension now and it won't start till after the 26th? Thats the first time I have heard that, I hope that is correct.  Seems like that would work in my case, I will no doubt have the 400k  in Thailand by around the 10th of Sept. at the latest which would be in time to get the 60 days of seasoning in. Thanks again.

"Did they actually refuse his application for a 60 day extension based on marriage?"

The guy you're thinking about did not apply for a 60 days extension, he applied for a 1 year extension based on marriage. He can go back and apply for the 60 days extension to visit his wife.

[trucking]

15 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

So a very good reason to leave it until the last minute,

 

Yep....and we thought the official line was all extensions to begin on 26th September to avoid last minute crush at immigration.

 

As you say , annoying and pathetic. Even now , when I have the 400,000 baht in the bank and they have said they will give me a 60 day extension to allow me the 2 months seasoning before full 1 year extension , it would not surprise me at all if they change their minds and find another hoop for me to jump through when the time comes.

[Shaunduhpostman]

6 hours ago, Peter Denis said:

@Shaunduhpostman > You wrote:

I just realized tonight that I may have gotten caught out regarding my plan to switch over to a year extension style Non-Imm Marriage Visa. I thought my visa was up in December because my brain went to sleep and had me confused between my visa finish date (Sept.  8th) and end of ability to stay in Thailand Dec 8th, using the exiting on Sept the 8th and getting the 90 days stamp method taking my stay into December.  But of course you can't do that anymore. So, zorch! Visa is done Sept. 8.

I am confused by your post, so like to have it clarified, BEFORE providing you with info on your options.

I deduct from your post that you entered Thailand on an ME Non Imm O marriage Visa.

But there must be an error in the dates you mentioned, because it is simply not possible that your permission to stay would be dated 8 Sept or 8 Dec, if you did not extend it already.

Therefore some questions to clarify your Visa situation and the options you have:

1 - What was the Visa type on which you entered Thailand, and when was your last entry?

2 - What was the validity date of that Visa (as printed on the Visa sticker) and what was the permission to stay date (as stamped in your passport by border-Immigration) when you entered Thailand last time?

3 - Did you in mean time already apply for an extension of stay at your local IO, and if so which extension did you apply for, when was it issued and what was the permission to stay date it provided?

4 - What is your age, nationality and are you officially married to a thai national or have thai dependant children?

5 - Do you have evidence of foreign income, e.g. a pension statement or salary still paid out?

>> The answers on these questions will clarify your Visa situation as well as the options you have.

 

OK, Peter,  I see now you have had your confusions cleared up by others on these questions

 

 

As per your second post,  I can show them all of those documents, though the Kor Ror 2 is old. I asked my wife to go to the Amphoe a few months ago and get a Kor Ror 22, I was incorrect about that, it is actually a Kor Ror 2 that is needed, we were married in Thailand. Anyway, the office was confused by the request for a Kor Ror 22 but bent over backwards in my wife's account of it to get a Kor Ror 22, and gave up saying there was no print out available.  I later, with the help of Thaivisa contributors understood I need a Kor Ror 2 not a 22, as we were married in Thailand back in the early 2000's. My wife is adamant that that she is not going back to the Amphoe again to request a new Kor Ror 2, seems she lost face or something. Anyway, we'll try with the old one and maybe immigration will have some suggestions for where to get a new one if the old one isn;t good enough, or perhaps i will have to go back to the Amphoe myself and request the Kor Ror 2.

 

[Shaunduhpostman]

Thanks so much everyone for your input, much appreciated. I also did more extensive reading on the forum and that also has helped, maybe you can comment on what i have come to understand about the situation with extensions.

 

1. It is, as of now, just a few rogue offices, Nonthaburi, Ranong and kind of Si Racha who are refusing to consider Amnesty as an extension that can be extended. Or in other words, if one is on amnesty as the basis for permission to be here, at most IOs you can go and get a 60 day extension based on marriage.

 

2. So, it would seem, that the sticker date on the visa is not a factor. That  was what got me going and thinking, "Oh god, I have blown it!"  Of course you never know, an officer might try and work that angle. The maddening thing about the amnesty is that you don;t have any stamp to show them, it doesn't give you much to fall back just to simply say to them, "But I heard in the news that there was an amnesty."

 

3. So if my IO does what they should, I should be able to wait till my 400k arrives, around Sept 10 or so i would guess and try and apply for the 60 day extension of stay for visit to the wife.

 

Any corrections or comments  to my 3 sets of assumptions/conclusions above would be much appreciated. Thanks all!

[Peter Denis]

1 hour ago, Shaunduhpostman said:

...

As per your second post,  I can show them all of those documents, though the Kor Ror 2 is old. I asked my wife to go to the Amphoe a few months ago and get a Kor Ror 22, I was incorrect about that, it is actually a Kor Ror 2 that is needed, we were married in Thailand. Anyway, the office was confused by the request for a Kor Ror 22 but bent over backwards in my wife's account of it to get a Kor Ror 22, and gave up saying there was no print out available.  I later, with the help of Thaivisa contributors understood I need a Kor Ror 2 not a 22, as we were married in Thailand back in the early 2000's. My wife is adamant that that she is not going back to the Amphoe again to request a new Kor Ror 2, seems she lost face or something. Anyway, we'll try with the old one and maybe immigration will have some suggestions for where to get a new one if the old one isn;t good enough, or perhaps i will have to go back to the Amphoe myself and request the Kor Ror 2.

If your wife is worried about 'face-loss' at the Amphoe were she requested a Kor Ror 22, while it is a recently issued Kor Ror 2 which you need for the 60-day extension of stay application, she can simply go to ANY other Amphoe in Thailand and request a Kor Ror 2 (Certificate of Thai marriage registration), which will be printed out on-the-spot.  She only needs to bring her Thai ID-card (but might be useful to also bring a copy of the original Kor Ror 3 - thai marriage certificate) and fee for the service will be between 5 and 20 THB.

[Neeranam]

5 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

So a very good reason to leave it until the last minute, in case those who make up their own rules, over-ruling Bangkok HO, decide to do the above. The number 1 thing I hate about living in Thailand is every office, every department, every person in a uniform, deciding their own rules - and being allowed to do so. So you never know where you stand. It's pathetic.

The thing I love about Thailand is that these rules are easily overcome. If you adapt to the culture you're living in, you will know how. 

[Peter Denis]

1 hour ago, Shaunduhpostman said:

... maybe you can comment on what i have come to understand about the situation with extensions.

 

1. It is, as of now, just a few rogue offices, Nonthaburi, Ranong and kind of Si Racha who are refusing to consider Amnesty as an extension that can be extended. Or in other words, if one is on amnesty as the basis for permission to be here, at most IOs you can go and get a 60 day extension based on marriage.

 

2. So, it would seem, that the sticker date on the visa is not a factor. That  was what got me going and thinking, "Oh god, I have blown it!"  Of course you never know, an officer might try and work that angle. The maddening thing about the amnesty is that you don;t have any stamp to show them, it doesn't give you much to fall back just to simply say to them, "But I heard in the news that there was an amnesty."

 

3. So if my IO does what they should, I should be able to wait till my 400k arrives, around Sept 10 or so i would guess and try and apply for the 60 day extension of stay for visit to the wife.

 

Any corrections or comments  to my 3 sets of assumptions/conclusions above would be much appreciated. Thanks all!

1 - That's correct, but it is recommended to enquire beforehand at your local IO whether they would be willing to handle your application for the 60-days extension of stay, with you now being on the Amnesty extension from your ME Non Imm O marriage Visa with already expired permission to stay.  And of course also enquire whether that 60-day permission would then allow you to apply for the 1-year extension of stay based on your Non Imm O Visa.

 

2 - The Visa validity date is of no relevance once you entered Thailand, what is important is the permission to stay that has been granted (as stamped in your passport) from that entry.  Obviously that has already expired, and Immigration is very well aware of this because there are thousands with an expired permission to stay, that are now on the Amnesty extension (till 26 September).

 

3 - As the 400K should be seasoned for at least 2 months when applying for the 1-year extension of stay based on your Non Imm O Visa for reason of marriage, you need to have the funds on your personal thai bank-account (a joint one with your wife is not accepted) already a couple of days BEFORE applying for the 60-day extension of stay. 

This because you would need 2 months of seasoning of these funds, and it is wise not to apply for the 1-year extension of stay on the very last day of the 60 days permission to stay but have 2-3 days spare in case your application is incomplete and additional documents need to be provided. 

[Shaunduhpostman]

13 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

If your wife is worried about 'face-loss' at the Amphoe were she requested a Kor Ror 22, while it is a recently issued Kor Ror 2 which you need for the 60-day extension of stay application, she can simply go to ANY other Amphoe in Thailand and request a Kor Ror 2 (Certificate of Thai marriage registration), which will be printed out on-the-spot.  She only needs to bring her Thai ID-card (but might be useful to also bring a copy of the original Kor Ror 3 - thai marriage certificate) and fee for the service will be between 5 and 20 THB.

I didn't know that, thanks again Peter, but just now she said she's not going to any amphur that the told her  a few months back that if the marriage is not a recent marriage a new Kor Ror 2 is not needed.  We were married in 2002. Anyone know that to be true?

[Shaunduhpostman]

13 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

1 - That's correct, but it is recommended to enquire beforehand at your local IO whether they would be willing to handle your application for the 60-days extension of stay, with you now being on the Amnesty extension from your ME Non Imm O marriage Visa with already expired permission to stay.  And of course also enquire whether that 60-day permission would then allow you to apply for the 1-year extension of stay based on your Non Imm O Visa.

 

2 - The Visa validity date is of no relevance once you entered Thailand, what is important is the permission to stay that has been granted (as stamped in your passport) from that entry.  Obviously that has already expired, and Immigration is very well aware of this because there are thousands with an expired permission to stay, that are now on the Amnesty extension (till 26 September).

 

3 - As the 400K should be seasoned for at least 2 months when applying for the 1-year extension of stay based on your Non Imm O Visa for reason of marriage, you need to have the funds on your personal thai bank-account (a joint one with your wife is not accepted) already a couple of days BEFORE applying for the 60-day extension of stay. 

This because you would need 2 months of seasoning of these funds, and it is wise not to apply for the 1-year extension of stay on the very last day of the 60 days permission to stay but have 2-3 days spare in case your application is incomplete and additional documents need to be provided. 

Thanks for your input once again Peter! Much appreciated!

[Peter Denis]

21 minutes ago, Shaunduhpostman said:

I didn't know that, thanks again Peter, but just now she said she's not going to any amphur that the told her  a few months back that if the marriage is not a recent marriage a new Kor Ror 2 is not needed.  We were married in 2002. Anyone know that to be true?

With the original marriage certificate issued in 2002, that will almost as good as certain not be accepted as proof by your local IO that you are still married.  That's why IO request a recently issued (some want it no older than 1 week) Kor Ror 2 certificate of Thai marriage registration.

But of course Thai ladies always know better. ????

[Shaunduhpostman]

21 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

With the original marriage certificate issued in 2002, that will almost as good as certain not be accepted as proof by your local IO that you are still married.  That's why IO request a recently issued (some want it no older than 1 week) Kor Ror 2 certificate of Thai marriage registration.

But of course Thai ladies always know better. ????

Yeah, it makes sense to me they would want a new Kor Ror, but she looked like she wanted to kill someone to have to go again and ask at an Amphur for a new Kor Ror 2 (actually she went asked for a Kor Ror 22, but no difference as far as she is concerned apparently) just because some farangs on Thaivisa insist that you need a new one. ???? Hehehe! But if we get knocked back at immigration for not having a new Kor Ror 2 thats OK she'll go and one. Whatever.

[Peter Denis]

17 minutes ago, Shaunduhpostman said:

Yeah, it makes sense to me they would want a new Kor Ror, but she looked like she wanted to kill someone to have to go again and ask at an Amphur for a new Kor Ror 2 (actually she went asked for a Kor Ror 22, but no difference as far as she is concerned apparently) just because some farangs on Thaivisa insist that you need a new one. ???? Hehehe! But if we get knocked back at immigration for not having a new Kor Ror 2 thats OK she'll go and one. Whatever.

Keep us posted!

[Bangkok Barry]

1 hour ago, Neeranam said:

6 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

So a very good reason to leave it until the last minute, in case those who make up their own rules, over-ruling Bangkok HO, decide to do the above. The number 1 thing I hate about living in Thailand is every office, every department, every person in a uniform, deciding their own rules - and being allowed to do so. So you never know where you stand. It's pathetic.

The thing I love about Thailand is that these rules are easily overcome. If you adapt to the culture you're living in, you will know how. 

Usually with money. I don't subscribe to corruption and have usually preferred to do without and not stoop to their standards unless I really have to. So far, I haven't.

[Kwaibill]

Don't  know if it is any help/relevance. Just applied for my " non O visa based on marriage" at Samut Prakan IO.

The would not hear about 45,000 baht monthly income, only 400,000 in a bank account. No talk of "seasoning" in advance, but warned it must stay for 60 days, and next time ok to show ten months of 45,000 baht deposits, if I understood the young man correctly. BTW, it was my Thai wife who scraped up the 400,000 baht on short notice, for the "all Thai women want..." crowd.????

We did it all yesterday, but have to return on Sept. 14 for results. I am guessing they send it to CW for approval, though I did not think to ask.

[ubonjoe]

21 minutes ago, Kwaibill said:

I am guessing they send it to CW for approval, though I did not think to ask.

It is sent Immigration Division 3 for approval that is responsible for the central region of the country. Their offices are located in the same building the immigration office at CW is.

[Kwaibill]

Thanks, Joe.

[trucking]

On 8/30/2020 at 5:12 AM, Peter Denis said:

3 - As the 400K should be seasoned for at least 2 months when applying for the 1-year extension of stay based on your Non Imm O Visa for reason of marriage, you need to have the funds on your personal thai bank-account (a joint one with your wife is not accepted) already a couple of days BEFORE applying for the 60-day extension of stay. 

 

When I asked at my local immigration , I was told that the 60 day extension to visit wife would begin from the day of application not from 27th September ( end of amnesty )

 

This was clearly wrong and I informed the officer that the official line is that the 60 day extension to visit wife should begin at the end of the amnesty ( thus giving us more time to get things in order and avoiding a last minute crowd ) He would have none of it and repeated....begins on day of application.

 

So..............just 1 hour ago I telephoned the Immigration hotline ( 1178 ) and explained what I had been told at my local office. The guy I spoke to was very helpful and apologized about the misinformation.  He then assured me the extension would begin on the 27th , at the end of the current amnesty. He would guarantee it.  I then asked him if he would mind contacting my local office to inform them of the fact , since they appeared to be unaware of it.  He promised he would send them an email to inform them of official policy.

 

Lets hope he does as it will allow some people a little more time for seasoning the 400,000.