Visited Maptaput (Rayong) Immigration yesterday for my latest retirement extension of stay. All pretty straightforward as in previous years, and I was in and out in 30 minutes with a new re-entry permit to boot.

However, one change from previous years which I did notice for the first time is that they took a photo of me just as the immigration officers at Suvarnabhumi do when you enter Thailand from abroad. Is this apparently new practice unique to Maptaput, or is it also now commonplace in other immigration offices as part of the extension of stay process? If the latter, does it mean that we no longer need to attach photos to our completed TM7 and TM8 forms?

BTW Maptaput didn't charge me any extra for their photo.

It happens at other immirgation offices too. Althou last two years my immirgiation office didn't do it, where before they did.

You still have to attach photo but yes photos are standard here in Bangkok for a few years now (and finger prints were also required for several years - not taken recently but perhaps only first time or if look different?).

Nakhon Sawan office did it when it first opened, but it seems the the practice has ceased. You still need the photo to attach to the TM7 whether or not they take your picture.

I've had the picture taken at Jomtien a few times, but I don't think they've done it for a year or two. Still need to attach photos.

This year they did it in Nakhon Pathom for the first time.