Okay, first I want to express appreciation for the assistance that members here provide to others.

 

I am a US citizen, here in Thailand on a non-immigrant O based on retirement that I got from the LA consulate. The visa was granted back on 10 May, 2022. I have a one year extension of stay from Chonburi immigration until 23 August, 2023. I also have the multiple re-entry permit.

 

I have things I need to deal with in the US, and will depart Thailand in mid-April, with a plan to return in mid-October. I had thought I would have to simply apply for a new visa for my next entry, followed by getting another extension of stay. But I saw in this forum the possibility that I could add on 60 days to the one year, based on visiting my Thai wife here.

 

So, my questions:

 

1) Can I in fact add those 60 days onto the end of my one year extension of stay? If I could, then I would be able to return to Thailand while that extension is still in force, at least by several days or a week.

2) If the answer to 1) is yes, what actions would I need to take to get a new one year extension of stay upon my return to Thailand?

3) More generally, what are the pros and cons of trying to extend my stay so that I can return while it is still in force, vs. just repeating the process from last year, and getting a new non-immigrant O based on retirement while back in the US, then getting the one year extension of stay once here? Any recommendations?

 

Thanks in advance, as well as apologies for any ignorance I have displayed here.

1. When do you plan to apply for the 60 day extension?

The earliest you could apply for it is 30 days before your current extension ends.

 

1. When do you plan to apply for the 60 day extension?

The earliest you could apply for it is 30 days before your current extension ends.'

 

 

Aahh, thanks. I think in the previous situation I saw and referred to, the person was close to that 30 day figure, but I am not. So it appears that I cannot use this strategy. At least it's clear! Thanks again.

You can either start a new Non-O from scratch in the US or come back visa exempt and then apply for a non-O extension in Thailand.  There is lots of info on doing that if you search the forum here.