When you travel to Thailand with a Tourist visa and have proof of the necessary 800,000 Baht income for a retirement visa, is it true that you can change the tourist visa to a Non-O and same time apply for the retirement visa.

WCA

Yes, but if you can it is better and easier to apply abroad.

Also note that many immigration offices will not do it and send you to Bangkok. (Other that will do it are Jomtien (Pattaya) and maybe Chiang Mai).

The process requires you to apply and return one or two weeks later.

Actually if you meet the requirements on day of application and live in the same area believe it can be done in one sitting (at least in Bangkok). For income it is Embassy letter of 65k per month or more. Another option, which eliminates the home country/police report/medical (which can be a problem if they want to do extensive tests) is obtain a single entry non immigrant O visa prior to entry on the basis of being over age 50 and checking on retirement options.

My Tourist Visa 60/30 was converted over to an extension for retirment in Chiang Mai. (2006)

My Tourist Visa 60/30 was converted over to an extension for retirment in Chiang Mai. (2006)

That's a long time ago. The policy regarding conversion has changed since then, and many immigration offices do not do a conversion anymore. Recent reports about conversions other than in BKK or Jomtien are more than welcome.

Yes, but if you can it is better and easier to apply abroad.

Also note that many immigration offices will not do it and send you to Bangkok. (Other that will do it are Jomtien (Pattaya) and maybe Chiang Mai).

The process requires you to apply and return one or two weeks later.

Phuket do same day - 3900 baht, 15 month extension :jap:

Actually it is a three month entry extended for 12 months.

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The process requires you to apply and return one or two weeks later.

Mario, I don't quite understand...

Are you saying that, if you're sent to Bangkok for conversion (more frequent for conversions leading to marriage extensions vice retirement extensions), then you should return to your home Immigration office 'one or two weeks' later to pursue the one-year extension of stay? Or, is that return to Bangkok Immigration one or two weeks later?

I'm sure this happened, in some context -- but I don't recall seeing it. I only recall seeing: 1) if you meet all one-year extension requirements the same day you get a conversion, you may get a same day one-year extension. Or, 2) on the other hand: now with your new shiny 90-day permission of stay (courtesy of your in-country conversion to a Non Imm visa), come back in 60 days -- i.e., just like everyone else with a Non Imm visa, one-year extensions are to be processed "during the last 30 days of your permission of stay."

This 'come back in one or two weeks' is a twist I haven't seen....

You return to BKK to get the extension. It is not always given the same day if you don't live in BKK.

The one year extension might be given the same day, or require you to apply for it after 60 days after conversion at your regional immigration office.

There are some changes to the process, as now one no longer needs 21 days left minimum (reports say 10 days is OK). Nut sure if other things have changed, but suspect if you have to go to Bangkok and not live there you have to go back after 1 or 2 weeks for the conversion and after 2 months can get the 1 year extension of stay locally.

Jomtiem seems to do it same day, as aperently Phuket from report above. Jomtiem might be easier and not to far from BKK, but believe will need some proof of address.