As for question of under consideration believe that is due to only highest level being able to sign of extensions so they must await scheduled meetings for that action to take place.  The retirement extension is an exception and can be approved by the local officer.

Again I reiterate that my 1-year visa extensions on the grounds of work is signed on the spot at the immigration office in Chiangmai by the local officer and my work permit stamped the same day. No waiting for Bangkok to approve it and not retirement related.

As for question of under consideration believe that is due to only highest level being able to sign of extensions so they must await scheduled meetings for that action to take place.  The retirement extension is an exception and can be approved by the local officer.

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Again I reiterate that my 1-year visa extensions on the grounds of work is signed on the spot at the immigration office in Chiangmai by the local officer and my work permit stamped the same day. No waiting for Bangkok to approve it and not retirement related.

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As normal when a thread gets long there are a number of directions and I was thinking spouse and possibly investment as asked by Firefan. As for work there seems to be both camps represented.

Well, for me, I do NOT consider it an option to "do it myself". Having signed the 30 odd papers the other day, I realize that it would be too time-consuming to gather all the relevant papers. And do the trips myself.

On a different note, some of the other posters have said they obtained 1 year WPs. I was told that I could only get a WP valid for 6 months (new rules). Or was it a 1 year WP that had to be RENEWED every 6 months?

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I got my visa extended for 1 yr, with supporting documents from my school, a letter from e-revenue (got it in ampher tax department) and teacher license (from salakrang khet) after that i went to salakrang labor department to extend my wp, they asked for my tax number (the yellow card) and xerox copy of my visa, they extend it for 1 yr (the same date with my visa) I finished all in one day.

Nongsau genie,

You are I assume a teacher,

Tywais

You a university research scientist.

Just a thought.

Maybe teachers/academics are being treated more favourably because Thailand needs them (at least the good ones).

It certainly wants/needs those qualified to use BOI one stop service centre. (Think I read somewhere plans to open in the provinces).

The rest. Maybe there is a policy of harassment but I can't think why.

Nongsau genie,

You are I assume a teacher,

Tywais

You a university research scientist.

Just a thought.

Maybe teachers/academics are being treated more favourably

That could be the case.

I'm employed by a (private) university and this year was easier than ever. Someone else takes care of assembling all the paperwork (important point, of course) and goes with us to Immigration. This year everything was done as a one-stop service - paperwork received, checked and visa stamped - on the ground floor within 20 minutes. No going upstairs to another office. As a physical presence is not required for the work permit extension, our 'organizer' does that part on her own and returns everything, stamped and up-to-date, within the day.

It's bloody marvellous compared to the running around we used to do.

Nongsau genie,

You are I assume a teacher,

Tywais

You a university research scientist.

Just a thought.

Maybe teachers/academics are being treated more favourably because Thailand needs them (at least the good ones).

It certainly wants/needs those qualified to use BOI one stop service centre. (Think I read somewhere plans to open in the provinces).

The rest. Maybe there is a policy of harassment but I can't think why.

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I guess you are right