Options From Chiangmai

[fabianfred]

If I were to go to a Thai embassy to get a Non-immigrant 'O' visa for purpose of marriage... what are my options from Chiangmai...on a budget of about 10,000 baht?

Go to Vientiane by road....or fly somehwere like Cambodia.... any ideas what options I have?

[lopburi3]

Are you asking about a single entry or multi entry valid for one year? You are already married with marriage certificate/copy of spouse ID and home register (required for visa issue)? Currently Savannakhet in Laos is the only Consulate in the region that will issue multi entry without financial proof but if you have 400k in bank account most will issue, but with that money in account you likely would not need a visa as one year extension of stay would be available from Immigration. Single entry visa will be 2,000 and multi 5,000 baht itself.

[fabianfred]

Single entry required to then get extended for one year permission to stay before expiry.

I have been married for 14 years and was on one year extentions. Last two years I ordained and my one year permissions to stay extensions were changed to reasons of being a monk. If I disrobe I must get a new visa and return to getting one year permissions for marriage.

SO I wondered if Vientiane was my only real option from CM or if there were alternatives....such as flights from CM to Cambodia or something.

[wayned]

What type of visa do you currently have? A visa exempt entry or a tourist visa can be converted to a Non-O without leaving Thailand as long as you meet the qualifications. The cost is 2000 baht, the same as obtaining a visa in Laos, but you might have to go to Bangkok to do it. Chaing Mai will do it for retirement but I don't think that they will for marriage..

[Maestro]

From what fabianfred wrote his current permission to stay is a one-year extension of stay for the reason of studying Buddhism. Often, it is not necessary to get a new visa, ie from a consulate, but instead just apply at the local immigration office for a new extension of stay for the new reason, in the OP's case for the reason of living with his Thai wife, but if the Chiang Mai immigration office says that they won't do this, that he needs to go and get a non-O visa, then this has to be done.

[lopburi3]

Do not believe a monk would obtain an extension of stay for Thai wife. Perhaps a bit later but not immediately. But perhaps he would be an official to disregard the "de jure (legitimate) and de facto" Flight/bus/van to Udon and then van to Vientiane or bus to Savannakhet would likely be best path. You really do not have funds for international flights and still have money for visa. As said Savannakhet is your only option to obtain more than a single entry visa.