What To Do Next?

[tartempion]

Situation as of today:

- Passport valid 5 years only, thus maximum 4 and half really

- Retirement extension usually to 25 November

- This year's permit to stay until 9 Oct 2007 due to passport expiration, idem for multiple re-entry permit

-Came back June with new passport, went to Soi Suan Plu to transfer stamps, got retirement extension until 25 November, but re-entry permit to 9 october. All would be fine if thatl last was set to the same day, but it is not.

- Paid a visit to Nong Khai Immigration before heading to Laos with TM8 form to obtain new re-entry permit because I will be in Europe 20 Sept-20 Oct, beyond re-entry permit date, but before retirment extension expiration date of 25 November.

- I was told by the not-so-nice officer some that I could NOT go to Laos, then that I could NOT come back from Laos, then that I did not understand what he was saying and was refused an additional re-entry permit. I just smiled, left the office and went to Laos.

- Today, returning to Thailand I got stamped until 9 October indeed, the date of the re-entry permit expiration (but I did travel and come back from Laos...) stopped by at Nong Khai immigration again and submitted a new TM 8, which was duly stamped in my passport to be cancelled a few minutes later. Three immigration officers there (including the not-so-nice one) debated my case and did the cancellation thing. I still do not understand why and smiled all the way.

- I was advised to return to Thailand late October with a non-imm and to start the retirment extension process all over again. OK, this means two visits and fees to home country Thai consulate and my country consulate in Bangkok to get a new certificate of income (based on 65k/month - I do not wish to transfer 800k in a Thai bank), wait two 1/2 months and get the thing done in Nong Khai .

- Or I could try again to get a re-entry permit at the new airport when leaving Thailand later this month and apply for my retirment extension as usual late November? Unless I do not understand I can not get an other re-entry permit?

- Or could I hit Soi Suan Plu before leaving 20 september and apply for retirment extension before leaving? quite early in fact, seems strange to me with an extension to 25 November....

- It is not a big deal, the less hassle would be to get a re-entry permit leaving Thailand, then there is the question of the new (possible) certificate of income to be notarised by the MFA which woild need me to stop one or two days in Bangkok. And sincerely, I do not like the Nong Khai immigration office, they do ask indecent questions there, Soi Suan Plu is more anonimous.

The strange thing in fact is that to stay clear until 25 November I should NOT use my multiple re-entry permit until then, which leaves that stamp meaningless in this case....

Any comments from the experts are welcome.

Edited August 31, 2007 by tartempion

[lopburi3]

I suspect he was trying to tell you that if you went to Laos with that false re-entry permit it would cause the situation you are now in. They must use that date for your re-entry and now that does not match you retirement extension of stay so back to square one. That is my best guess.

Am not sure why Bangkok transferred the original re-entry permit as that seems to be the cause of your problems. They probably should have told you to buy a new permit (but I suspect if they do that some would object).