1 hour ago, 1FinickyOne said:

yes, they are - - who said differently? 

 

I thought I made it quite clear in the first few words what I was talking about... 

Yes, and I was merely pointing out the topic was about an extension based on Thai spouse, as you were off-topic about your extension based on retirement.
Different kettles of fish.
 

9 hours ago, CM Dad said:

For the past few years I have done my extensions based on marriage at the immigration office in Central Festival Mall - much easier, less crowded and better parking.  I began using an agent to prepare everything many Years ago after doing everything myself for over a decade and am very happy to not have to deal with anything any longer.  All I do is sign my name many, many times.  My agent does everything for me for a very nominal fee - under 10,000 baht including the immigration fee of 1,900 baht and also including all of the 90-day reports for the year.

Can you tell me who your agent is?

5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

So are you doing extensions based on marriage or retirement. 

If based on retirement why even post when the OP is marriage. 

Because the subject is visas - - - and using an agent is the easiest solution for someone as troubled as he is - unless he is financially challenged... 

or just wants to do it himself as many do... 

4 hours ago, Liquorice said:

Yes, and I was merely pointing out the topic was about an extension based on Thai spouse, as you were off-topic about your extension based on retirement.
Different kettles of fish.
 

off topic by less than a CM as suggesting an agent might ease his anxiety... Do you think a cheap shot attacking me is more helpful than my recommending that an agent might ease his pain? 

7 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

Because the subject is visas - - - and using an agent is the easiest solution for someone as troubled as he is - unless he is financially challenged... 

or just wants to do it himself as many do... 

So indeed you are using agent for extension based on retirement.

 

The thread subject in not visas.

It's very specific regarding extension (first) based on marriage.

Your posts are off topic and wasted helpful advice in thread.

 

11 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

off topic by less than a CM as suggesting an agent might ease his anxiety... Do you think a cheap shot attacking me is more helpful than my recommending that an agent might ease his pain? 

An agent can only assist on extensions based on retirement.

The guy you quoted did not take a cheap shot.

He simply pointed out your posts as unhelpful..

He is correct. 

Off topic post removed. 

OP looking for guidelines on first time extension based on Thai spouse

I now have all the information I needed.

A visit to immigration by the airport and asking lots of questions helped massively. I speak a decent level of Thai, but that wasn't necessary as everyone I spoke to there spoke good enough English. I'll start a new thread once the extension is done with everything I've learnt as nobody in this forum gave (or was able to give) me the advice I needed that was specific to Chiang Mai.

• Extension based on marriage cannot be done at Central Festival, contrary to what someone mentioned in this thread. Whether this was different in the past, I don't know. So, don't waste your time.
• Nobody at immigration in Chiang Mai knew what the STM10 form was and they don't provide it.
• Driving license is not needed.
• The bank letters, statement and passbook can be updated before the application day (up to 7 days before). The official requirements at immigration ask for the letter and updated bank book or statement; however, my neighbours said both were required. So, I'm doing both.
• The Khor.Ror.2 just needs to be an original copy - it also doesn't need to be done on the day.
• They have specific requirements for the photos, but provide no samples. My neighbours helped me with this - they were even asked by immigration if their photos could be used as a sample.
• So far, there's been no mention of any need for witnesses, but I was told the home visit will be within 2 weeks (still no mention of witnesses). I was told we wouldn't be able to negotiate the day they come for the visit, but I explained my wife is away a lot and showed them her schedule. Hopefully, we will be able to choose a day when she's here.
• I chose not to pay an agent 10,000 THB for this as they cannot help with my wife's schedule and I still have to collect and prepare all the original documents and photos myself. All they would be doing is photocopying and accompanying me to the appointment. Using an agent for my driving license did give me peace of mind, but during that process, I realised that even the nominal 1-2000 THB fee I paid was pointless. I think it's better I learn how to do this all myself so I'm fully prepared in the future.
   

Next stop is the bank tomorrow...

 

4 hours ago, ettcuk said:

A visit to immigration by the airport and asking lots of questions helped massively. I speak a decent level of Thai, but that wasn't necessary as everyone I spoke to there spoke good enough English. I'll start a new thread once the extension is done with everything I've learnt as nobody in this forum gave (or was able to give) me the advice I needed that was specific to Chiang Mai.

This is the obvious solution and what you need to do every year.  Go to YOUR immigration office, and ask for THEIR list of requirements for that point in time.  No one else can help you except immigration, because each office has their own requirements, and they even change them from time to time, so someone else's previous experience is not an indication of your success.

6 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

This is the obvious solution and what you need to do every year.  Go to YOUR immigration office, and ask for THEIR list of requirements for that point in time.  No one else can help you except immigration, because each office has their own requirements, and they even change them from time to time, so someone else's previous experience is not an indication of your success.

I know this now and will always go ahead of time for future extensions. Besides the occasional 90-day report, I haven't had to deal with immigration for 6 years as I previously held an Elite Visa. However, past dealings with chaotic immigrations centres prior to that, as well as regarding visa matters with the Thailand Elite staff (the number of different or wrong things I was told), meant I had very low expectations on what help would be offered if I made the effort to drive to the office. Things have clearly improved in Chiang Mai in person, at least - and even if the website is still terrible.

On 8/4/2025 at 8:01 PM, DrJack54 said:

An agent can only assist on extensions based on retirement.

Both "hand holdings" (you meet the qualifications, they prepare the documents) and "fixer" types are available for marriage-based.  The difference vs retirement, is that the fixer-type is very expensive for marriage-based, due to the "envelope" for the district sign-off guy, and the few agents who have connections to them.  Most agents only have connections to the local-office, so can't help with the "fixer" type for marriage - and many don't want the hassle of even the "hand-holding" type.

Forum posts on this:
 

Quote

The agent I’ve used, they provide full funds and all duties, now require the person to be there in person and stay for one night (on the other side of the country) and the price has also increased 30% from 2020, and 20% from last year.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1315981-marriage-extension-agent-no-home-visits-sav-me-based-on-child/

(Jan 2024 report - can ignore what he says about Non-O ME Visas - now defunct)

More recently:

Quote

... Assisting on the 1 year marriage extension cost 48,000 Baht.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1365961-opening-bank-account-rules-catch-22-1-year-extension/page/3/#findComment-19966946

Seems too high to not be a "fixer" quote, even including bank-acct setup.