I have a retirement visa that is valid till mid March 2013.....I want to go away to Europe for 6 months in January returning in July by then my retirement visa will have expired....what are my options ?

Thanks in advance.

Do you have a Visa or an Extension of stay?

EDIT.

It looks like you have a 12 month extension of stay from Pattaya Immigration.

They might let you renew it early.

Failing that, you would need to start over again with a Non Imm O Visa and apply for the Extension at Immigration as you did last time.

You will have to start again. If you are leaving the country for 6 months then you have no reason to extend your stay. Extending your stay is for people that want to stay in the country.

As said ask them if they can renew early - they may well allow if you show your travel plans. If not just obtain a non immigrant O visa for your return and 60 days later do your extension of stay for retirement. Same paperwork required regardless so not a serious issue.

You will have to start again. If you are leaving the country for 6 months then you have no reason to extend your stay. Extending your stay is for people that want to stay in the country.

Not quite true I have left every year for 6 to 4 months to visit family in the states. Just get a re-entry permit before you leave.This doesn't apply to op as his will expire before leaveing.

Thanks for the replies....worst case scenario get an O before I return ...maybe they will renew it before I go...on my second renewel so they might do it....