Although living here for some years have never done visa run before as always returned to UK on business every three months. This month I have to do my first run.

My passport expires on 22 Jan. 2006. Does this mean I need to do the run before 22 July? Also do I need to take anything other than my passport on the run e.g. proof of income or cash. Thanks.

You will have a rectangular stamp in your passport for the most recent entry to Thailand.

It will have the word UNTIL: that is the last day you can leave the country. You must leave or get an extension before then.

As far as a Visa run is concerned, I am assuming you are in Bangkok, so the easiest is one of the Visa-Run companies, that take you over the boarder in one day. The cost from memory is 2,000 Baht.

At Poipet and Chom Chon, they aren't too worried about how much money you have etc, rather you have a Valid Passport etc.

As you said you have a NON-O, you can get it extended if you have 400k Baht in the bank or a well paid job. The extension is for one year and there is no need to do visa-runs at all.

or 800,000 baht if he's a retiree not supporting a Thai wife or child

Now have 42k per month pension. But currently not paid into thai bank. Was considering the extension option when visa runs out in November. Have a thai wife and a home here. Do you know if the 6 months left on passport rule is adhered to when doing visa run?

For the visa ' run ' no problem, but they'll want a full year validity to do the one year extension. Start the new passport process sooner, rather than later.

Now have 42k per month pension. But currently not paid into thai bank. Was considering the extension option when visa runs out in November. Have a thai wife and a home here. Do you know if the 6 months left on passport rule is adhered to when doing visa run?

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Pensions do not have to be paid into a Thai bank account. You just have to have a Thai bank account in addition to pension. You can move the pension money when you want/need by wire transfer and immigration will be happy with that.

If I have a one year O non-immigrant visa and it expires , can I get a one year extension so I dont have to return to UK to get another visa if I have at least 400,000 Baht in my Thai bank account ? Where would I have to apply for this , and what evidence must I produce , a bank statement etc ?

If I have a one year O non-immigrant visa and it expires , can I get a one year extension so I dont have to return to UK to get another visa if I have at least 400,000 Baht in my Thai bank account ? Where would I have to apply for this , and what evidence must I produce , a bank statement etc ?

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Not unless you get married. If you do marry and support your Thai wife you w/wife apply for a one year extension of stay at any immigration office.

Back to the OP and his being married.

You can get a multi entry non O from Penang on the basis of being married without any proof of funds at all. You'll need the marriage certificate and a copy of your wife's ID.

OK, you have to leave the country every 90 days, so it's not as convenient as the year's extension, but it's an alternative to getting proof from your Embassy that you have the required 40,000 income or showing 400,000 in a Thai bank.

Hope I'm right on this as I'll be doing it soon. A number of friends have been sucessful this way for years after their marriages or, in one case, supporting a Thai child.

You'll be right Sua Yai. All the best with it.