My Experience Extending 60-day Tourist Visa @ Chaeng Wattana Today (16 Nov 2009)

[Microwave]

I reckon this topic has already been touched upon, but every person has their own experience and I'd like to share mine in the hope that some of my experience will be of help to others.

1. Took taxi from Mo Chit BTS station to Immigration Bldg. (110 baht).

2. Found blue Soi 7 sign on the left side of Chaeng Wattana Rd. & a large green "Government Complex" sign (with an arrow indicating to turn left) on a floating bridge just before Soi 7.

3. Found building B, which looks very much like building A, at the very end and to the right of Soi 7.

4. I had downloaded the TM.7 form from Thaivisa.com, filled it out, and attached a photo of Yours Truly on the last page. I also provided photocopies of my passport photo page, double entry tourist visa (good for 60 days), my departure card, and the arrival stamp on my visa. One photocopy of each is fine.

* Note - If possible, I highly recommend downloading the TM.7 form from Thaivisa.com and filling it out BEFORE going to the Immigration Dept. Same with the aforementioned photocopies. The crowd of people feverishly filling out the TM.7 form at the Immigration Dept. was large. Photocopies on the ground floor cost Baht 2/copy.

5. After showing that my paperwork was in order, I then was given a dark green melamine card (J 65) and sat in a chair in front of the cubicle (first

cubicle, second entrance) which had a similar dark green melamine "J" card on the cubicle wall. The colour-coordinated cards indicated that I was in the right place as did the "J", which was for people wanting to have their tourist visas extended. I waited about 1 hour for my number to be called on a microphone, so bring some reading material.

6. There was one woman calling the card numbers on a microphone and then checking to make sure that everything was in order before collecting the Baht 1900. Then she gave me another card, the number on this card would then be illuminated in red on a counter machine on top of the first entrance to this cubicle (first cubicle, first entrance) when my visa had been granted. Another woman was sitting behind her who worked on processing the visa application after my application and payment were complete.

7. After a 20 minute wait, my digital number was illuminated in red on the counter machine on top of the cubicle and it was then my turn to enter the cubicle (first cubicle, first entrance) to pick up my passport with my 30-day tourist visa extension (30 days from when my visa was due to expire, not 30 days from today). There were 2 women working in this first section of the cubicle.

8. No problem finding a taxi at the south entrance to the building. The return trip to the Mo Chit BTS station was about 140 baht due to the taxi having to go northbound on Vibhavadi-Rangsit before finally being able to make a u-turn to go to Mo Chit.

* Note - The Immigration officers take an hour off for lunch between 12 noon and 1 pm. The process stops for that hour.

Such was my experience this morning. The process isn't as efficient as I had read it would be, but a definate upgrade over Suan Plu. There were many foreigners wandering around the Immigration Dept. with confused looks on their faces. I sincerely hope that this post is understandable and will lessen the number of confused faces in the future!

~ Mike

[siam2007]

after nobody else did that so far, I want to thank you for such a comprehensive report.

it will certainly help others in the future, maybe if you can, try to attach some TAGS (or the MODs can do that if the OP is not allowed to)

[tropo]

Where can we download a TM7 form?

[Microwave]

I've linked the TM7 form here for downloading:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/TM7-Extensio...y-Ki-file7.html

I'm glad that I could help!

~ Mike

[Maestro]

Be sure to print the form two-sided on a single sheet of paper.

--

Maestro

[lopburi3]

The pinned useful information at top contains several reference documents including one having links to all documents and many other items. An underused but very useful feature.

[chaamerican]

Sorry if my question is simple and directed in reply to you for no real reason except that I'm new to this forum. Can I fly into BKK, get an airport visa, stay 2 days, fly to Siem Reap for 4 days and then go back into Thailand for 7 days? I'm from the US, but coming from Vietnam. I used to live in Thailand, but I know they have changed rules regarding going in and out. I'm not making a border run, I'm just doing some traveling and that's the way the flights worked out for me. Thanks for your help if you can.

[lopburi3]

Yes. But it is a visa exempt stamp at the airport - do not go to the visa on arrival queue.

[thaiphoon]

Yes you can. 30 day visa exempt entry (is not a visa) on each arrival by air.

[bjhabal]

I did it last week, and if you go early morning to the immigration office, you do not need to download the form as it will take less than 5 minutes to collect it and write down the information, the lady in the cubicle room has the electronic numbering machine over her desk, so you do not need to wait for her to call you, just look at the number if you are in a position to see it; meanwhile the electronic machine in the collection cubicle is hanged on the window.

I was number 4 when I arrived Tuesday at 9.30; number one was already left and number 3 was having some kind of problem (African guy with not matching photo in his passport), so it took me about 45 minutes to be in and out of the immigration office with my extended visa.

All what you need to take with you is a photocopy of the first page of your passport and both your visa and the arrival card, sign them all and hand them over along with the extension form and your passport. The officer will put a stamp on the application for your telephone number and ask you to write it down.

There are several ways to arrive to the immigration office depending on your budget:

If you can afford to take a taxi, this will be the best choice, otherwise, you can take a normal bus, drop at the mouth of soi 7 and take the free shuttle bus to the main building.

If you are in no position to take the direct bus as number 52 from Bang Sue or Morchit Bts station then you can take any bus that goes to the old airport such as buses number: 29, 510, 54 etc. and drop at the Grand Miracle Hotel then take bus number 52 or 356 to Chaeng Wattana soi 7.

Going back you can use the same method.

Bishop

[Microwave]

I printed my TM7 form single sided and it was accepted with no questions asked. Perhaps a different Immigration official working at the time, who knows?

~ Mike

[Microwave]

It's good to get feedback from as many people as possible. The details may change from person to person depending on the officers on duty, time, etc. Hopefully people will read this thread and have a good idea of what to expect.

~ Mike

[Singoth]

I did it last week, and if you go early morning to the immigration office, you do not need to download the form as it will take less than 5 minutes to collect it and write down the information, the lady in the cubicle room has the electronic numbering machine over her desk, so you do not need to wait for her to call you, just look at the number if you are in a position to see it; meanwhile the electronic machine in the collection cubicle is hanged on the window.

I was number 4 when I arrived Tuesday at 9.30; number one was already left and number 3 was having some kind of problem (African guy with not matching photo in his passport), so it took me about 45 minutes to be in and out of the immigration office with my extended visa.

All what you need to take with you is a photocopy of the first page of your passport and both your visa and the arrival card, sign them all and hand them over along with the extension form and your passport. The officer will put a stamp on the application for your telephone number and ask you to write it down.

There are several ways to arrive to the immigration office depending on your budget:

If you can afford to take a taxi, this will be the best choice, otherwise, you can take a normal bus, drop at the mouth of soi 7 and take the free shuttle bus to the main building.

If you are in no position to take the direct bus as number 52 from Bang Sue or Morchit Bts station then you can take any bus that goes to the old airport such as buses number: 29, 510, 54 etc. and drop at the Grand Miracle Hotel then take bus number 52 or 356 to Chaeng Wattana soi 7.

Going back you can use the same method.

Bishop

Hello,

Just wondering. I have to go get an extension at the New Thai Consulate tomorrow. I live on Sukhumvit Soi 22. What would be the best way to get there from here?? Do I take the Skytrain to MoChit, Underground Train from Sukhumvit/Asoke out to Jakujak Market, or the next Station after Jakujak Market, Khampaengpet(spelled wrong) and then a taxi, or just take a taxi from my apartment on soi 22?? Thanks for any help you can pass along and also thanks for the in-depth instructions on the procedure at the new place.

Cheers,

Singtoh

[jamesjdaly]

I'd take the BTS to Mor Chit and then take a taxi (B120 - 150)

[bjhabal]

If you are talking about saving money, then take the BTS to Mor Chit and then just take bus number 52 direct to Chaeng Wattana soi 7, where you take the free shuttle bus. otherwise from Mor Chit take the frequent bus #29 (Red, Blue, Yellow) to the Grand Miracle hotel and then 52, or 356 to Chaeng Wattana soi 7 (Just 3-4 bus stops); usually those buses going to the old airport drives like crazy on that route and I often see them passing me whenever I am in my car or a taxi, so do not worry about the time saving.

Good luck

Bishop

[bjhabal]

By the way it is not the Thai Consulate, it is the immigration office.

Bishop

[bjhabal]

Though, I remember now that the underground Train end up in Bang Sue where the bus number 52 start. However the BTS still a better choice as you have many other alternatives.

Bishop

[sausage3]

A friend of mine asked me to add this information from his recent experience......

I would add the following advice to the expat website:

1. On arrival go straight to the photocopy room on Level 1 (Ground Floor) ask for a TM7 form (needs to printed on one sheet back to back-important) and ask the girl behind the counter to complete the form for you (cost 20 B per application form). You need your passport and an address and telephone number of place you are staying. She will complete the application form, stick your photo to form and photocopy the necessary pages of your passport (cost 4 . This process took 10mins for both our applications.

2. Go to Level 2 and obtain a queue card and proceed to the appropriate cubicle hand over your passport, application form and fee. Proceed to next cubicle and wait for your visa application to be processed.

We arrived at Bangkok bus station at 5am and hired a Tuk Tuk to find an hotel (address for visa application) then hired a taxi to the Government Immigration Office where we arrived at 7.50am (fare 127 . The doors to the immigration section on Level 2 open at 8am when we arrived the queue was already over 100 metres long and growing. During processing people were being redirected back for various reasons e.g. they had not completed their application form correctly, photo was not glued to form, form was printed from website and was not on one sheet. Minor things but, resulting in additional time and having to obtain another queue card.

The Government complex is well signed as you approach from the main highway. Immigration building is the last building of the numerous Government buildings at the end of the road on your righthand side, turn right at T-juntion then right again which takes you to the reception. Staff could not have been more helpful and it was pure chance when asking for photocopies of our passports that the women behind the desk asked if we had got an application form and offered to complete the form for the nominal fee of 20 B plus you have the knowledge it will be completed correctly.

[powderpuff]

Where is the pinned thread concerning Bangkok's new Imm Office?

[bassep]

just a note on the photo copies, and SamutPrakan immigration office.

I live in BangPli and use the immigraton office at Samut Prakan. The last time i went for an extension I already had copies of everything. Being the neat and tidy (55555) person that i am, I had trimmed the pages down to the size of the passport pages. This was apparently unacceptable and the immigration girl took and made fresh copies of my stuff. Dont think she charged me that awfully expensive fee of 2 baht per page though. Maybe because I made the effort to do it myself. Seems the copies have to be on full size pages in order to have room for signatures and whatever else.

As far as the main Boss in charge, there used to be a very sweet lady officer that was very impressed i could speak and read thai a bit, (they like that in a falang). But now there is a young guy that actually has the rulebook (copies of it really) on his desk. He seems to look up every rule that is involved and must be trying to do it by the book.

I went to get an extension of my visa on arrival, due to medical reasons (broken foot, and NO it was not a motorbike accident). It was turned down because the note from my doctor did not specify that i was "unable to travel". So I had to track my doctor down that evening (at a different hospital) and have him rewrite the note for me using the key phrase. The doctor did not mind and charged me nothing.

When i got back to immigration the next day I got a dirty look from the "Boss" because the note was now on a different hospital's certificate. He approved me though and gave me the 60 extension. I have gotten two 60 day extensions thanks to the broken foot, however I dont reccomend it as a viable visa renewal technique!

My extension is up now and am planning a visa run. Researching for that purpose I ran across this post and could not resist putting in my 64 satang worth (that's 2 cents in baht).