I went to Jomtien Immigrations this morning to get the one year extension for my retirement visa.

It took less than 20 minutes.

I already had ready:

1) the TM 7 filled out with picture attached.

2) Passport with photocopies of the visa, the entry stamp, the arrival card and the last 90-day report.

3) B1900 in exact change

I stopped at Bangkok Bank to get the letter from the manager stating my balance, which was over B 800,000, and recent deposits made with foreign exchange (actually dollar deposits into Bangkok Bank in New York).

Cost B100. It took 5 minutes. So then I had

4) the manager's letter, the bank book and photocopies of all the pages including the one that was updated when the manager's letter was written.

I got to Jomtien around 10:00. The usuall masses of farang were milling about. The ticket issuing machine wasn't working, but the man at the information desk told me to go to Desk 8. They were just finishing up with one man, so I had no wait.

The officer and the lady trainee sorted through everything, stamped a few pages, which I then signed. They didn't check the bank book against the photocopies. They didn't ask for any credit card. The only thing I was asked was to write my phone number on the application. She did check something on the computer...have no idea what. A flurry of rubber stamping ensued including the extension until January 2009 stamped in my passport.

I took the passport and all the papers to another officer. She checked everything. Asked me if I owned my condo. Filled out a form and sent me to pay the B1900. I brought everything back to her and she gave me a plastic number card and told me to come back tomorrow at 10:00 to collect my passport.

Everyone I dealt with was polite, efficient and business-like. I was back home by 10:40.

Just for my information, Kaojai:

1. Has your account balance been over 800k for the last 3 months?

2. Was this your first application for annual extension?

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Maestro

Just for my information, Kaojai:

1. Has your account balance been over 800k for the last 3 months?

2. Was this your first application for annual extension?

--

Maestro

Yes to both.