Non-o + Work Permit

[Tony525i]

I am 25 and married to a Thai national. Next week I will be applying for a Non- (O) type visa at a Thai Consulate in the US.

I have two questions :

a) After my first entry I will get a 90-day stamp. If I a show a bank statement with a balance of 800,000 baht ,do I qualify to extend the permit of stay to 1 year ? I know that there is a new rule about the 40,000 income, but suppose during the first two months in the country , maybe I still do not have a job but have money in the bank. Will immigration there give me a 1 year extension?

Also I am not very clear about the Bt 40,000/month requirement. Currently I have rented out a couple of apartments which I own(europe) , and alltogether I recieve a rent of approx. bt 95,000/month depositied in a foreign bank. Can this qualify as income for me without having to work in Thailand ?

Can I apply for the work permit during the first days of my arrival in BKK ? Or, do I have to secure a job first before I can apply for the Work permit?

Thank You for your time.

Edited February 17, 2008 by Tony525i

[lopburi3]

a. No. 40k family income is the only accepted method for extension of stay in your case. If your Embassy will certify the rent payments as income (and believe most will) that can be used - but they may require a record of incoming money.

You must find employment (that allows a work permit to be issued) before you can obtain a work permit.

[Tony525i]

when you said :" they may require a record of incoming money." - did you mean my Embassy or Thai Immigration ?

thank you again.

Edited February 18, 2008 by Tony525i

[lopburi3]

It could be either but was thinking about Immigration - different offices seem to have different ideas (or at least have had during the last year).