My yearly retirement extension is due mid way thru September.

Last time I did my 90 day report the Kalasin Immigration Officer said to come in August to complete the extension.

How many weeks or month can I complete my extension before my extension due date?

Thank you.

Typically 30 days, 45 in cm.

23 minutes ago, carlyai said:

How many weeks or month can I complete my extension before my extension due date?

Extensions can be obtained 30 days prior to expiry at most immigration offices.

45 at some such as CW, CM, Phuket etc.

Recommended to do it min 2 weeks prior

Going to depend what method you use, lump or income. If income, then good advice, do it early, especially if a Yank on Soc Sec..

Lump, if a paperwork oops, you can file again, same or next day. If income, bank might take a week or more to provide paperwork, depending on bank.

I use an agent. They can do it 90 days before the due date.

15 minutes ago, Wuvu2 said:

I use an agent. They can do it 90 days before the due date.

Relevant how?

The OP does not use an agent.

1 hour ago, Wuvu2 said:

I use an agent. They can do it 90 days before the due date.

Thanks, I was reading the thread hoping someone mentioned that route.

14 minutes ago, BexMan said:

Thanks, I was reading the thread hoping someone mentioned that route.

Be aware that using agent would mean use agent for entire process including covering financials etc

11 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Be aware that using agent would mean use agent for entire process including covering financials etc

Out of curiosity, why would using an agent mean, for entire process, and, including covering financials?

22 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Be aware that using agent would mean use agent for entire process including covering financials etc

Not true, I've used an Agent to do all 7 of my Extensions (2 in Bangkok & 5 in Pattaya) and have always had the 800K in an account so was only charged for the "Hand Holding". Past 5 years it's been 8,000 THB (IIRC Bangkok was 7,900 THB) both included the 1,900 THB Immigration fee.

I'll be going in Tomorrow to do my next extension (Due 26th September so approx. 53 days early) and expect to pay the same... 8K for the extension +4K for a Multi Re-Entry Permit.... Will update if it's any different this time

Edited August 4Aug 4 by SamSpade

4 minutes ago, SamSpade said:

Past 5 years it's been 8,000 THB (IIRC Bangkok was 7,900 THB) both included the 1,900 THB Immigration fee.

True. My post was poorly worded as did not mention hand holding service and you cover financials.

So approx 6k to "guide through process"

Assume you still obtain the bank statement + bank letter etc.

Attend immigration office.

Personally don't see much value for 6k

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

Relevant how?

The OP does not use an agent.

Are you replying as a moderator or a fellow forum member? The OP did not state if he uses an agent or not.

44 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Be aware that using agent would mean use agent for entire process including covering financials etc

That is not accurate. Many folks use an agent for the paperwork even though they have their own 800k in the bank.

3 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Assume you still obtain the bank statement + bank letter etc.

Attend immigration office.

Personally don't see much value for 6k

Yep, Agent gives me a piece of paper which explains exactly what I need from the Bank & so far I've only needed to get the letter & 3 months Bank Statements, maybe this year I'll need a 1 year statement which, with BBL, means doing my Extension next week

Before last year's clampdowns it was better as the Agent had Staff in the waiting area of the Branch so you would do the forms at their office, go to the Bank and sign the forms saying you wanted the letter & Statement and leave... They would collect your passport & letter/statement and take it with the extension paperwork to Jomtien to do your Extension (1st year I didn't even have to go to Immigration).

Past 4 years I have had to go to the immigration office but only to have my photo taken opposite the Retirement desk so I don't need to queue to see the officer or wait while they process my documents. Just walk in, Mr Football takes my photo & I walk out - less than 30 seconds.

As to whether it's worth it, spending money to make my life easier is my #1 priority, so the 508.50 THB pm it costs extra to do my Extension is worth it to me, I fully understand guys who would rather spend that money on other things, as always, to each his own.

Edited August 4Aug 4 by SamSpade

2 hours ago, Wuvu2 said:

I use an agent. They can do it 90 days before the due date.

Most agents can do extensions earlier than normally allowed. The only issue with this is you're probably going to be required to use an agent next time. If you always use an agent, then no problem. But if you were just hoping for a one-off, it probably won't work out like that. When the immigration office sees a stamp that is impossible for you to have received next year, they will know it was obtained through an agent and will turn you away and say to go visit your agent again.

5 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Most agents can do extensions earlier than normally allowed. The only issue with this is you're probably going to be required to use an agent next time. If you always use an agent, then no problem. But if you were just hoping for a one-off, it probably won't work out like that. When the immigration office sees a stamp that is impossible for you to have received next year, they will know it was obtained through an agent and will turn you away and say to go visit your agent again.

I have friend who after some years wanted to change from retirement to married.

Local immigration wanted 5 years of back dated bank statements to prove he had the requisite money for retirement visas when they were issued.

19 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

I have friend who after some years wanted to change from retirement to married.

Local immigration wanted 5 years of back dated bank statements to prove he had the requisite money for retirement visas when they were issued.

Sounds like a great time for a trip to Laos or Vietnam and a new non-O visa. 5 years of bank statements is an unreasonable request under any circumstances.

1 hour ago, BrandonJT said:

5 years of bank statements is an unreasonable request under any circumstances.

Well they know he has been here on a dodgy, Pattaya style money in money out, visa for 5 years and he does not go to them for 90 day report. et al. Just reinforcing who is in charge.

4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Be aware that using agent would mean use agent for entire process including covering financials etc

No it doesn't. You can use an agent and cover your own financials. I did just that in may at Samui office. Also only 45 days before allowed here.

7 minutes ago, CFCol said:

You can use an agent and cover your own financials.

I had already acknowledged that when I posted......

"True. My post was poorly worded as did not mention hand holding service and you cover financials."

I’m sure the hand holding service would be good for those who are too old to keep everything straight or those with handicaps. Otherwise it’s easy enough to just do it yourself.

42 minutes ago, jcmj said:

I’m sure the hand holding service would be good for those who are too old to keep everything straight or those with handicaps. Otherwise it’s easy enough to just do it yourself.

A lot depends on which location and the day of the month if a female, and sometime even the male, IOs!

In CM I always use a "hand holding" agent!

It means I spend less than 5 minutes at the horrendous CM Immigration Office(s)!

Edited August 4Aug 4 by scottiejohn

On 8/4/2026 at 10:57 AM, SamSpade said:

Yep, Agent gives me a piece of paper which explains exactly what I need from the Bank & so far I've only needed to get the letter & 3 months Bank Statements, maybe this year I'll need a 1 year statement which, with BBL, means doing my Extension next week

Before last year's clampdowns it was better as the Agent had Staff in the waiting area of the Branch so you would do the forms at their office, go to the Bank and sign the forms saying you wanted the letter & Statement and leave... They would collect your passport & letter/statement and take it with the extension paperwork to Jomtien to do your Extension (1st year I didn't even have to go to Immigration).

Past 4 years I have had to go to the immigration office but only to have my photo taken opposite the Retirement desk so I don't need to queue to see the officer or wait while they process my documents. Just walk in, Mr Football takes my photo & I walk out - less than 30 seconds.

As to whether it's worth it, spending money to make my life easier is my #1 priority, so the 508.50 THB pm it costs extra to do my Extension is worth it to me, I fully understand guys who would rather spend that money on other things, as always, to each his own.

Did my extension this morning...

• Left Condo at 8:45am & was at the Bangkok Bank (2nd Road near Soi 6) by 9:15am.

• Bank was empty except for a couple of people at the counters so was served straight away & had the Letter/3 month Statement/Bank Book updated 10 minutes later.

• Went to Maneerat & it was busier than normal (guessing hangover from the 3 Public holidays last week) so had to wait 5-10 minutes, 10 minutes after that all the paperwork (Extension, Multi Re-Entry Permit & 90 Day report) was done & I was told to go to Immigration to have my photo taken.

• Grabbed a Bolt to Immigration (I was amazed that there were at least 3 guys in there who were asking Maneerat to book them a Taxi to Immigration & then asking how they could get a Taxi back), walked straight to Desk 7, had my photo taken & back out less than 30 seconds later*

• Walked down Jomtien 2nd Road to Jomtien Soi 1, grabbed a Baht Bus to Terminal 21 and got there at 11:03am perfect timing :)

*My best guess is if I'd have taken a queue number in Immigration when I got there it would have taken a couple of hours to get seen & then would have had to wait for the passport, as it is I'm catching up with mates in town on Friday or Saturday so will pick my passport up then.

As an aside, I didn't mean to evesdrop but the guy who was sat in front of me was doing a Visa Exempt conversion to Non-IMM O, fee was 29,000 THB. The guy who was sat next me when I was being served was getting assistance in opening a Bank Account, sorry I didn't catch how much this cost but from what I half heard it takes a lot longer nowadays.

Edited August 5Aug 5 by SamSpade

6 hours ago, SamSpade said:

*My best guess is if I'd have taken a queue number in Immigration when I got there it would have taken a couple of hours to get seen & then would have had to wait for the passport, as it is I'm catching up with mates in town on Friday or Saturday so will pick my passport up then.

I think you have to return the next day for your passport at Jomtien.

On 8/4/2026 at 5:16 PM, scottiejohn said:

A lot depends on which location and the day of the month if a female, and sometime even the male, IOs!

In CM I always use a "hand holding" agent!

It means I spend less than 5 minutes at the horrendous CM Immigration Office(s)!

But what assistance can a "hand holding" agent provide in obtaining bank letters and statements, though? Accessing my local Krungsri branch for this purpose is, for me, the most horrendous part of the extension of stay process. Up and down a steep flight of steps with not a single bloody handrail to get hold of!😡