Cheers,

I am brand new to this forum, as a member, although I have been lurking for months.

I came into BKK on an entry visa only. Went in to a hospital for treatment and the doctor finally wrote a letter saying I could not leave for several months, minimum. The hospital actually had a visa dept. that took me to the immmigration office and got me a 90 day extension. They did everything...I just sat there looking clueless. Doctor says she will do that again in 3 months as I am on continuous outpatient treatment.

I have deposited over 1,000,000 baht in Bangkok Bank....more than enough to satisfy the 800,000 required in lieu of proof of income. My question is has anyone else encountered this situation, with a hospital acting on your behalf, and will I be able to convert my "extended entry visa stay" to a retirement visa here in BKK, after the requisite 90? days of holding funds in a Thai bank, without having to exit and return....say to KL or similar?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

jw

Never come across this before but I do not see why not. You may have to convert your stay to a Non Imm Visa at Immigration first as part of the process or they may just give you the Retirement Extension on top of your current medical extension.

When you say you are on an entry visa, I presume you mean a visa exempt entry of 30 days at the airport.

If you are over 50 and have 800,000 in a Thai bankaccount for more than 2 months you can try to convert to a non-immigrant visa based on retirement. You will need at least 21 days remaining on your current permission to stay, so apply as soon as you can.

Convertion is donme at immigration and probably the hospital can help you with this also. Contact them first.

I have never heard of it being done but I can see no reason why it couldn't be done. If you have at least 21 days left on your extension you could do it now instead of getting another extension.

It will require a change of visa status (2000 baht) which means that they will issue a non-o visa then after the funds are the bank long enough you go back and apply for the extension (1900 baht).

For a first time application the funds only have to be in the bank for 2 months now,

You would need a letter from the bank confirming your account balance for the change of visa and a new one for the extension..