Hello, I live in Chiangmai, am 57, retired with pension not even close to 800,000 baht/year and am enrolled in Thai language school, AUA. I flew to Thailand directly from Central America so had no opportunity to go to Thai consulate in USA and am not planning to return.

Am coming up on my second trip to Maesai. Have heard rumours 1. American Embassy will sign declaration of income without proof and one can take this form to Immigration and receive Non -Immigrant one year visa, if Chiangmai immigration is in the mood to do so.

2. If a declaration from Amer Embassy is not enough for Immigration (Is it true the 800,000 must be in a Thai Bank) if so, forget that for me.

3. What other neighboring countries have Thai embassies that will give out longer than 30 tourist visas, or a STUDENT? visa. I heard Vientiene gives 3 months easily and Penang 6 months.

I do not need a work permit, just a longer term visa. Help! All the info so confusing.

Thanks from another new expat who loves Thailand

1. Embassy pension letter is never enough to obtain an extension of stay by itself and it is a sworn statement.

It along with a medical, bank account (which also must cover any shortfall of 800k pension), letter from bank and TM.7 form plus 1,900 baht will be required. But first you need a non immigrant visa and you can not obtain that in Thailand with only a 30 day entry.

2. If no letter from Embassy 800k will have to be on deposit.

3. All countries can provide a tourist 60 day visa and that can be changed by immigration to allow retirement. Penang is the normal choice and will likely provide a non immigrant O visa.

[Thanks for the info., clears up that misconception. Do you know if one can obtain the 60 day in Lao?

Lake

[Thanks for the info., clears up that misconception.  Do you know if one can obtain the 60 day in Lao? 

Lake

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I suspect you can at this point but perhaps not back-to-back.