I have 2 questions and pardon me if they are obvious but I failed to find them in search.

1. Friends from EU are visiting, staying with me on visa-exempt, and will want a 30-day extension. I have never done one of these, so I know as much as they do.
They are stamped till October 11. That is a a Saturday, and Mon 13 is a public holiday. If they go to IO on, say, 9th, would they get 30 days from 9th or from 11th? 
And does it have to be the local office where I live (in Samut Prakan) or any IO?

Related: anyone know yet if 10th Oct is going to be a holiday?

2. It just occurred to me that if someone married to a Thai lass was on a visa-exempt 60 days, could he get a 60-day extension "to visit Thai wife"?  Or only 30 days like a real tourist?

Your friends apply for 30 day extension at office determined by the TM30. 

They will need  a TM30 to apply for 30 day extension. 

That can be done week or two prior to expiry of 60 day stamp. 

 

Yes the friend can obtain 60 day extension to visit Thai wife. 

Requires her to attend and other docs. 

Really depends on planned length of stay

Extensions are 1900b 

 

Add to your thread when you know the TM30 address as that determines imm office 

 

Edit: as for the married friend he can actually obtain both extensions. The 30 + the 60.

It must be done in that order. 

Note some offices (since the change to visa exempt to 60) are not allowing both. 

Just the way Thailand rolls. 

7 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Add to your thread when you know the TM30 address as that determines imm office

Sorry for confusion, two different cases. 

Two friends here now, staying with us, TM30 done already. If they are elsewhere on the day they want to extend, I understand a hotel or such would give them a TM30 and they have to extend locally wherever that is.

But if they apply days early (because of w/end and holiday), do they end up with fewer than 30 days, or would the extension date from 11th?

 

The idea of a farang spouse on 60-day exempt getting a 60-day extension is separate and only just occurred to me. You suggest it might be possible (all these things are at the whim of IOs, one is aware!).

35 minutes ago, isaanistical said:

But if they apply days early (because of w/end and holiday), do they end up with fewer than 30 days, or would the extension date from 11th?

The 30 days is added from expiry of 60 day stamp. 

You do not lose days applying early. 

1-2 weeks early is good idea. 

35 minutes ago, isaanistical said:

You suggest it might be possible (all these things are at the whim of IOs, one is aware!)

The friend with Thai wife is entitled to both.. The 30 and 60 to visit wife. 

Thai immigration offices sometimes make up rules on a whim to avoid a thing called work. 

 

 

Edit: you are correct about where to apply for extension. 

For example if they travel they need new TM30 (hotel can provide) 

Do not apply at CW if outside of samut parkan. If in another area of Bangkok they would apply at LakSi IT mall. 

18 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The friend with Thai wife is entitled to both.. The 30 and 60 to visit wife.

That sounds like a good deal! 60+30+60 = 5 months. Finally, a way to make the wife useful..... I may think further.

 

Many thanks, Doc.

1 minute ago, isaanistical said:

That sounds like a good deal! 60+30+60 = 5

Yes it's a sweet deal IMO. 

Just be aware that the 30 day needs to be done first followed by the 60 to visit wife. 

Something to do with "different class" of extension. 

Your friend could run it past immigration when applying for the 30 day extension. 

6 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Yes it's a sweet deal IMO. 

Just be aware that the 30 day needs to be done first followed by the 60 to visit wife. 

Something to do with "different class" of extension. 

Your friend could run it past immigration when applying for the 30 day extension. 

I now wonder if they might let one do it twice, that's nearly a year's worth! Pushing your luck, I guess.

Cheers

20 minutes ago, isaanistical said:

I now wonder if they might let one do it twice, that's nearly a year's worth! Pushing your luck, I guess.

60 day extension to visit wife is possible on every "new entry" if using visa, exempt or new visa. 

 

In your friend for example... 

He could do visa exempt entry and the 30 + the 60 ... 

After that exit Thailand and reenter with NEW visa exempt entry then 30 + 60.

Having stated all that... as earlier mentioned some offices may arc up on the 30 + 60.

 

46 minutes ago, isaanistical said:

...wonder if they might let one do it twice, that's nearly a year's worth!

I went way back to this attached thread. 

The link is to quote from ubonjoe re different category for the 30 and 60 day extension. 

 

Everyone of his posts in that thread explains what you are asking about. 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1130123-re-60-day-extension-to-visit-your-wife/#findComment-14700921

 

7 hours ago, isaanistical said:

That sounds like a good deal! 60+30+60 = 5 months. Finally, a way to make the wife useful..... I may think further.

 

Many thanks, Doc.

Just be aware that many offices will start the 60 day "visiting Thai family" extension from the date of application, because it's not based on the same reason as the stamp that is being extended. 

So tourist entry (visa exempt) + tourist extension, would be 60+30 as they are the same reason.  But the visiting Thai family is a different reason, so it starts from the date of application.  You want to time that carefully to not lose too many days.

I can see a problem at the initial flight check in. If their departure date is after their visa exempt stay, including the extension, they might have an issue.

Check-in staff dont necessarily know about permission to stay extensions. Or even if it will be granted.

Been there done that.

I know there will be comments about stepping away and booking a fake flight.....ever tried that at a busy airport?

See how that goes with 50 people lined up behind you all wanting to check-in after queueing for 30 minutes.

Best thing I have I found is to book a genuine ongoing flight for the lowest possible price and simply don't go on the flight....throw away flight as it were.

Might cost a hundred bucks but alleviates a lot of hassles.

 

Done it a few times when I planned to go Savannkhet to get a multi non o based on marriage without 400k in a Thai bank.

Those days are long gone unfortunately.

25 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

I know there will be comments about stepping away and booking a fake flight.....ever tried that at a busy airport?

That would be typical comment from myself. 

You don't return to que. 

You book after stepping to the side. 

Ticket issued within couple of minutes. Then approach same check in point. 

28 minutes ago, emptypockets said:

Might cost a hundred bucks but alleviates a lot of hassles.

A throw away ticket is an option. 

I fly Saigon regularly and cost is approx 1800b 

Cheap option to avoid the hassles 

1 hour ago, emptypockets said:

Cheap option to avoid the hassles 

Don't understand the point. 

Throw away 2k baht

Rent a ticket $16usd "onwardticket.com"

Up to traveler.. 

Safe entry agent service for frequent visa exempt entry and other issues 4k