Expired extension of stay

[setbkk]

I have an extension of stay based on retirement that expires March 22, 2021.

 

I plan to return to Thailand from USA after getting my second COVID vaccination.  Hope to arrive around March 10th. Once I get out of ASQ, my extension of stay will have expired by about a week or so.

 

I plan to enter Thailand on a 30 (or 45?) day visa exempt and then attempt to renew expired extension of stay or start the process over for a new non-O retirement visa.

 

Two questions:

1) Does anyone have any first hand experience with trying to renew an expired extension of stay?  Is it possible or does one have to start the whole process over again. I go to Chaeng Wattana Immigration.

2) Would there be any difficulties entering Thailand on a visa-exempt status even though I have a valid (but short duration) extension of stay?  Would Immigration at BKK ignore the visa exempt request and stamp me in with an expiration of March 22nd?  Maybe it is better to enter Thailand after March 22, 2021 so extension of stay has expired?

 

Any thoughts based on actual experience would be most appreciated.

 

 

 

 

[DrJack54]

So you also have a valid reentry permit?

Enter visa exempt. When out of quarantine obtain a non O (retirement).

Subsequently obtain annual extension.

I assume you already have Thai bank account so easy process

[ubonjoe]

You can enter visa exempt with your still valid re-entry permit. Leave the visa number space blank on the TM6 arrival card and the officer may not even look for your re-entry permit. If he notices it tell him you want the visa exempt since it would allow a longer stay than the re-entry permit. 

Be sure and check the date you were stamped to on the arrival stamp before leaving the arrival immigration area.