Can I Extend A "permission To Stay" Stamp?

[Peterchap]

Hi Everybody,

I had an O-A visa based on retirement issued in Perth Western Australia on the 6th January 2009, entered Thailand on 15th January 2009 and received a “Permission to Stay until 14th January 2010 “ stamp.

I now want to apply for a one year extension based on 800,000 THB in a Thai bank account for 2 months (my first extension).

On 1st December 2009 I transferred 30,000AUD (about 900,000THB) to my Bangkok Bank Foreign Currency Deposit Account (FCDA).

The money won’t be in the FCDA for the required 60 days until 29th January 2010, 16 days after my “Permission to Stay until 14th January 2010” stamp expires.

My two questions are:

1: Will the Thai Immigration Office (Khon Kaen) accept the FCDA showing 30K AUD — about

900K THB or will I have to convert it to THB and transfer it to my Bangkok Bank Savings

Account?

2: Will the Thai Immigration Office (Khon Kaen) give me an extension on my “Permission to Stay

until 14th January 2010” stamp to cover the 16 day short fall in my bank account qualifying time,

or will I have to leave Thailand and apply for a 60 day Tourist Visa.

A fifteen day Visa on Arrival would leave me one day short.

Thanks for any help/suggestions.

Regards from

Peter.

[Crossy]

Is your O-A multi-entry?? If so you can get a full further year by doing a border run before 5th January 2010

Otherwise ask immigration, however the best you're likely to get is 7 days

Are you married to a Thai? if so a 60 day extension should be available.

[monty]

Not sure on the foreign currency account.

But anyway, immigration would not be able to give you a long enough extension.

If you are married to a Thai national you could get 60 days extension based on that.

However, never hurts to go to immigration and ask, they are known to sometimes grant an exception and issue you either with the 1 year extension anyway, or give you an extension.

The only other option (and the most likely one) will be a visa trip to an embassy or consulate, bring proof of your financials along and get a non immigrant O over there. Return and apply for 1 year extension when the funds are over 60 days in your account.

[Lite Beer]

Peter. I suggest you give the head of Khon Kaen Immigration a ring and ask Her. She is very helpful. Maybe get your Wife to talk to her. I think your Wife is Thai.

As said at the worst you can get a 60 day extension to make up the time.

Contact Info including telephone number is Here.

Click on Khon Kaen and telephone "Chief"

[lopburi3]

Concur with the above and provide caution that your OA visa is technically a non immigrant visa and pre approved extension of stay. So they might say three month is required for bank account as you have already had your first year extension of stay. Not at all sure they will but can see it happening in my nightmares.

[Peterchap]

Hello Again,

Thanks for all your replies.

Crossy.

No, I only have a Single Entry visa (I purchased a re entry permit when I went back to Oz in June).

I realize now I should have purchased a 12 month Multi Entry visa and then I could, as you say, gone out of Thailand and re entered shortly before it expired and obtained a further one year “permission to stay” stamp.

No, I am not legally married in Thailand, so I couldn’t get a 60 day extension based on marriage but I have a Thai partner/wife.

Monty.

That’s a option I didn’t think about, if I have to go out, apply for a O Visa instead of a 60 day Tourist Visa and convert it to a O-A after the bank funds have matured.

Lite Beer.

Good idea, I have been to the Khon Kaen Immigration Office to do my 90 report and found them to be very courteous and helpful.

Lopburi 3.

You’re correct, something I didn’t think about.

Sounds like you’ve been here a while “Expect the worst - Hope for the best” or is that the other way around!

Looks like the best thing I can do is go and see them (with my wife), explain the situation, and ask them for their advice/help.

I will let you know what happens.

Thanks again for your help/suggestions.

Regards from

Peter.