5 hours ago, thesetat said:

. You should try the tourist visa route first. you can do the retirement visa later from inside Thailand. 

Am curious, you broke the laws in Thailand before and was kicked out, now you are trying to enter Thailand again to break the laws again to get a retirement visa? 

Yes, like you said, I have my eyes on a tourist e-visa followed by retirement visa.

I have no intention to break the laws. Can you be more specific on which way I'd break the laws again.

 

Furthermore, I just got a clean criminal record document from  home country e-gov.

 

 

 

 

9 hours ago, JayClay said:

 

I'm pretty sure that means "if you are currently on overstay", not "if you have ever overstayed in your lifetime"

 

28 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

I'm pretty sure that that notice refers to those applying if they are currently overstaying.   There isn't a ban on past overstayers applying.

 

In interpreting this classical masterpiece of linguistic ambivalence, I think that it would be far more prudent for the OP to assume the worst. In any event, he would IMHO be much better advised to test the water by applying for a non-O visa in advance of a possible return to Thailand.

 

 

6 hours ago, thesetat said:

Am curious, you broke the laws in Thailand before and was kicked out, now you are trying to enter Thailand again to break the laws again to get a retirement visa? 

"...now you are trying to enter Thailand again to break the laws again..."

I'm curious, where did he say that was his intention?

12 minutes ago, OJAS said:

I think that it would be far more prudent for the OP to assume the worst.

Why when it isn't the case?   

I've had a couple of overstays in the past (not at the time of extension application) and have never had a retirement extension denied.   Being the possessor of an overstay does not mean that subsequent extensions will be denied or that applications cannot be filed.

13 hours ago, marin said:

Apply for some type of visa. Then  you will know. 

Visas are issued by MFA, ministry of foreign affairs not Immigration.

They do not share data.

28 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

I'm pretty sure that that notice refers to those applying if they are currently overstaying.

Thanks for the update.

 

Who knows if they kept digital records around 2000 or digitalised former records when they've made the switch?

 

Besides, I opt in for safe entry check through an agent.

Wouldn't such check clear the doubts if I'd run into trouble or not during visa conversion stage?

2 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Why when it isn't the case?   

I've had a couple of overstays in the past (not at the time of extension application) and have never had a retirement extension denied.   Being the possessor of an overstay does not mean that subsequent extensions will be denied or that applications cannot be filed.

 

You clearly missed the following addition I made to the post you're responding to:

 

"In any event, he would IMHO be much better advised to test the water by applying for a non-O visa in advance of a possible return to Thailand."

 

It goes without saying, I would have thought, that a key prerequisite to future retirement extensions in his case would be a non-O visa sourced online from wherever he is located at the moment, or in person from a local immigration office here in Thailand.

 

2 minutes ago, NitJune said:

Thanks for the update.

 

Who knows if they kept digital records around 2000 or digitalised former records when they've made the switch?

 

Besides, I opt in for safe entry check through an agent.

Wouldn't such check clear the doubts if I'd run into trouble or not during visa conversion stage?

 

IMHO you would be much better off by testing the water beforehand through applying for a non-O visa from wherever you are located at the moment.

 

14 minutes ago, PoorSucker said:

Visas are issued by MFA, ministry of foreign affairs not Immigration.

They do not share data.

It must be it.

I always thought Embassies didn't want to share data with applicants.

It turns out they had no data to share.

3 minutes ago, OJAS said:

IMHO you would be much better off by testing the water beforehand through applying for a non-O visa from wherever you are located at the moment

Will do.

I look forward to get a non-O e-visa from where I am located.

 

I will also test waters with a safe entry check, few friendly people in this forum suggested several agents who'd do a safe entry check.

 

Cheers

28 minutes ago, NitJune said:

 

Do it the way that you want to.   As I pointed out, that refers to overstay at the time of the application. i.e. if you're om an overstay don't expect it to be converted into a new extension.

Overstay in the past does not preclude anyone from applying for, and receiving, an extension in the future (Elite excepted).  I know, I've been there.

16 minutes ago, NitJune said:

I look forward to get a non-O e-visa from where I am located.

 

Do you have an existing bank account in Thailand into which you can start assembling the required finances for subsequent retirement extensions from the get go (either an 800k balance or monthly 65k transfers from abroad)? If not, then you'll almost certainly need a non-O visa these days in order to open a new account in any event.

 

Sadly, the whole visa process for retirees is not the walk in the park (relatively speaking) that it was 20+ years ago. 

48 minutes ago, PoorSucker said:

Visas are issued by MFA, ministry of foreign affairs not Immigration.

They do not share data.

Valid point. But at what level are the checks done?

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Why when it isn't the case?   

I've had a couple of overstays in the past (not at the time of extension application) and have never had a retirement extension denied.   Being the possessor of an overstay does not mean that subsequent extensions will be denied or that applications cannot be filed.

Based,

❤️ comment. 

It takes the case from theory to the next level and to real-life.

Thanks

4 minutes ago, NitJune said:

It takes the case from theory to the next level and to real-life

Perhaps you could read your OP again... 

"I overstayed in Thailand around 2000 (unclear if I surrendered or was caught after not paying a guesthouse bill)"

 

Hard to find a more vague OP post. 

Almost seems.. "Asking for a friend" 

Regarding safe entry services they will go on the pp that you provide. 

After all you are typing about 25 yr old event that is vague at best. 

Don't think i read post of suggestion of flying to nearby country and enter via land border. 

43 minutes ago, OJAS said:

Do you have an existing bank account in Thailand into which you can start assembling the required finances for subsequent retirement extensions from the get go (either an 800k balance or monthly 65k transfers from abroad)? If not,

Me and my girl friend has an combined 50.000 THB income. She makes 30K owns a house in Surat Thani  and she's aware that I get 20K from pension funds.

 

RE: "800k balance" Funds from some inherited property sell  in procession expected to be finalized next year  to deposit for the future applications.

 

In the meantime, I came across some agents who claimed to get a retirement visa without  a deposit of 800K. I posted the link in the original post, and some friendly people commented " Lots of agents can arrange a visa without you having the 800K in the bank,"

 

I'd love to know the name of one or two, but I am vary to ask or expect a reply, concerned about if it'd be against the terms of use of the forum.

 

 

7 minutes ago, NitJune said:

Me and my girl friend has an combined 50.000 THB income. She makes 30K owns a house in Surat Thani  and she's aware that I get 20K from pension funds.

Hate to be a dream shatterer but are you serious. 

You have a 20k monthly income. 

Is that a joke to live in Thailand. 

9 minutes ago, NitJune said:

I'd love to know the name of one or two, but I am vary to ask or expect a reply, concerned about if it'd be against the terms of use of the forum.

Agents can obtain Thai bank account + Non O  + 12 month extension. 

Plenty in Thailand. Not so much in Surat Thani. 

Initial cost approx 40k and ongoing ~17k. 

 

Suggest you do cost analysis of plan

 

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Overstay in the past does not preclude anyone from applying for, and receiving, an extension in the future (Elite excepted).  I know, I've been there.

Thanks. 

I reposted the screenshot provided in another comment. Some other,  probably you said that this takes us into the realm of semantic interpretations.

 

What matters more is that you been there too, and I am glad everything went well for you.

 

4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Agents can obtain Thai bank account + Non O  + 12 month extension. 

Plenty in Thailand. Not so much in Surat Thani. 

Initial cost approx 40k and ongoing ~17k. 

A quick question. If I live in Surat Thani can I use the services of an agent, say, located in Bangkok.

 

Do I  understand " ongoing ~17k. " as  future extensions and reneval of visa costs, or as ongoing costs of the same calendar year's ?

Thanks

8 hours ago, NitJune said:

A quick question. If I live in Surat Thani can I use the services of an agent, say, located in Bangkok.

 

Do I  understand " ongoing ~17k. " as  future extensions and reneval of visa costs, or as ongoing costs of the same calendar year's ?

Thanks

Suggest you consult with well known agent in say Bangkok. 

eg @ThaiVisaCentre

They will outline details. 

The initial cost with any agent can involve bank account + Non O + extension. 

Ongoing is just extension. 

Do some research. 

 

Out of this thread as with the monthly income you mention frankly seems farcical. 

10 hours ago, Caldera said:

Do you still have your passport from back then? It would be easy to check your overstay and exit stamps.

 

You wouldn't have been banned for an overstay in 2000, as others have pointed out already. But how was the guesthouse issue resolved, amicably or not?

The passport from that time was renewed  at least twice.

 

Apart from the fact that during switch to biometric pass, around 2009 the issuing office had to issue a new one, they don't extend old passports  anymore but give a new one and ask people to handover old ones.. 

10 hours ago, Caldera said:

You wouldn't have been banned for an overstay in 2000, as others have pointed out already. But how was the guesthouse issue resolved, amicably or not?

Some others have said  my  description of the events as "unclear" was unclear in response to my "not sure if I was caught or surrendered" 

 

I am not t getting into right and wrong things to do.

 

Sure thing paying the bill and not overstaying would be the right thing to do.

 

The guesthouse owner was only to happy to get rid of me.

 

I'd walk away without paying, back then they didn't scan people's ID's.

I instead said call the police. 

 

I was carted into IDC and embassy got in touch with relatives for a return ticket.

 

To my recollection I wasn't accused  for guesthouse bill. But there was no app to do an overlay translation of a scanned document, but then there were not many documents flying around and almost no one spoke English.

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Hate to be a dream shatterer but are you serious. 

You have a 20k monthly income. 

I said we'll have at least 50K income in the household for two and we don't have to pay rent. Besides, living cost index is lower in Surat Thani.

 

What future holds is another story. Depending on arrangements for a digital workspace, I am looking forward to bring more income into the household.

 

I don't keep my girlfriend in the dark, she is pretty well aware of everything.

 

 

2 hours ago, NitJune said:

Me and my girl friend has an combined 50.000 THB income. She makes 30K owns a house in Surat Thani  and she's aware that I get 20K from pension funds.

That is enough. Plenty, staying in her house (no rent) - plus, things are generally less-expensive out of the expat/tourist areas.  Only not enough if you want to live in a fancy condo and spend money on expensive restaurants and/or go to bars for booze and/or girls - which is how some folks do the math. 

 

1 hour ago, NitJune said:

Do I  understand " ongoing ~17k. ...

Is for future years.  Get a Non-O before coming if you qualify, and the 1st extension will be that price as well.  Otherwise, it's 10K+ baht more the first year.  Having a Non-O also makes it easier to open a bank-account here - now impossible in most cases on a tourist-entry, without yet another "agent" fee.

 

Also, all of these agent-services, including bank-setup, may only be available in expat areas (Bangkok, Pattaya, etc).  If you move your extensions to your local-office later, with your own 800K, they may ask to see the previous year's money-records (not every time, but happens) - so, may need to do one more agent extension year with your own money in-the-bank, first.

3 hours ago, NitJune said:

Some other,  probably you said that this takes us into the realm of semantic interpretations.

No, not me that posted that.

8 hours ago, NitJune said:

Me and my girl friend has an combined 50.000 THB income. She makes 30K owns a house in Surat Thani  and she's aware that I get 20K from pension funds.

 

RE: "800k balance" Funds from some inherited property sell  in procession expected to be finalized next year  to deposit for the future applications.

 

In the meantime, I came across some agents who claimed to get a retirement visa without  a deposit of 800K. I posted the link in the original post, and some friendly people commented " Lots of agents can arrange a visa without you having the 800K in the bank,"

 

I'd love to know the name of one or two, but I am vary to ask or expect a reply, concerned about if it'd be against the terms of use of the forum.

 

 

Immigration does not accept any combined income to use for showing funds in getting or maintaining a visa. The funds must be yours only coming from abroad using income method. I have heard of some foreigners applying income already in Thailand to use for the 800k though without it being checked if the money was sent from abroad. 

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know whether applying for the TDAC weeds out anyone who is on blacklist for any reason? 

 

No guessing, please.

14 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

That is enough. Plenty, staying in her house (no rent) - plus, things are generally less-expensive out of the expat/tourist areas.  Only not enough if you want to live in a fancy condo and spend money on expensive restaurants and/or go to bars for booze and/or girls - which is how some folks do the math. 

 

What you have said may well be true. But the inescapable fact is that the figures which he has quoted come nowhere near to meeting the IMM minimum financial requirements for retirement extensions.

 

On 9/4/2025 at 10:14 PM, NitJune said:

A quick question. If I live in Surat Thani can I use the services of an agent, say, located in Bangkok.

 

Do I  understand " ongoing ~17k. " as  future extensions and reneval of visa costs, or as ongoing costs of the same calendar year's ?

Thanks

These are our current retirement visa service packages, including fees, options, and processing times:

Scenario 1 – 60,000 THB

■ Bank Account Opening on Tourist Visa / Exempt
■ 3-Month Non-O from Tourist Visa / Exempt
■ 12-Month Extension

Scenario 2 – 37,000 THB

■ 3-Month Non-O from Tourist Visa / Exempt
■ 12-Month Extension

Scenario 3 – 1?,000 THB*

■ 12-Month Extension

* please contact
 

---

■ Multiple Entry Permit = 4,000 THB
■ Single Re-Entry Permit = 1,200 THB

For all three scenarios, rush processing is currently free, with every step completed within 48–72 hours.

You can contact our team via LINE ( https://tvc.co.th/line ) , or EMAIL ( [email protected] ).
 

6 hours ago, OJAS said:

 

What you have said may well be true. But the inescapable fact is that the figures which he has quoted come nowhere near to meeting the IMM minimum financial requirements for retirement extensions.

 

I agree 100% . To me the plan to arrive in Thailand and be able to live on the arrangement the OP outlines is dreamworld.

 

To use an agent for complete gig will cost..Granted ongoing extensions not so much.

He surely would not have a Thai bank account.

 

Surprised OP has not looked into DTV esp as he mentioned online work at some point in Thailand.

The other thing not mentioned is health insurance.

One small misadventure and there's another GoFundMe 

Monthly income of 20k is almost ridiculous. 

4 hours ago, ThaiVisaCentre said:

These are our current retirement visa service packages, including fees, options, and processing times:

Is it convenient for ThaiVisaCentre to use LINE for initial communication or do you prefer to be contacted via  email first?

 

I reached out  to your team at LINE app.

Ny  email  is not yet on file. 

I supplied my email address  at LINE for further reference.

My line ID is @hakan -line.

 

Thank you

 

4 hours ago, ThaiVisaCentre said:

These are our current retirement visa service packages, including fees, options, and processing times: