Hi all, I have been in thailand 6 months... came in on a 30 day tourist visa and renewed it twice (so total 90 days), then went to penang and got a 60 day visa... then extended one month. I now want to change to Non B as I'm setting up a company and want to get a work visa. Staying in Phuket

I've been told u can convert to a non B in bangkok provided u have 21 days left on your tourist visa (they told me that at the immigration office here in phuket but I'm not 100% convinced...

So, my options...

1. I can go to Jakarta (as I want to go to indonesia for a few days anyway) and go to the embassy there. Problem is i don't know if they have any visa agents there. I don't know Jakarta and would rather just drop my passport to one of the agents then head off to my final destination and come back a week later and pick up... does anyone know if such services operate as they do in malaysia?

If not can anyone recommend where to stay in jakarta that is near the embassy or even tell me how far it is from the airport?

2. Perhaps i can go to Jakarta and come back on a tourist visa then go immediately to immigration in BKK and convert to non B there? Problem is i don't know if i'm entitled to any more tourist visas...

HEEEEELLLLP?

Thanks, Laura.

if your company is making more than a million bath per year, have 4 thai employees wich you pay social security, a work permit showing a salary not less than 50000 bath per month then you can get an extension.

if you fail on one those points, no extension for you.

In Jakarta it takes 3 days to process the visa. I opted to fly from Jakarta to Singapore when I found out.

Last June, I got a double entry tourist visa from (Jalan Iman Bonjol) Jakarta Thai consulate.

My passport carrying previous non-B, tourist and exempt stamps...

No worries and no need agent at all, apply by yourself before noon and collect your "book" next day around 2pm.

Regarding accommodation, I have family living in Menteng; but let me suggest you Ibis Tamarin, which is reasonably priced and convieniently located. Otherwise across Ibis (Jalan Wahid Hasim), you will find cheapies on Jalan Jaksa, which is Jakarta backpackers Mecca.