Can this process be done anytime during the current extension or does one have to wait until end of current visa. Need to do it a number of months before my current one expires. Based in Chiangmai. Can it be done anytime? Thanks for the help from knowledgeable members.

No, you need to wait until 30 days before your existing marriage extension of stay (which is what I assume you mean by "current visa" - it really does help to use the correct terminology) expires before applying for a new extension of stay on retirement grounds. Some offices (e.g. Bangkok and Jomtien) are willing to consider extension of stay applications 45 days ahead of time, but I don't believe that Chiang Mai are one of them.

I am, of course, assuming that your reason for wanting to make the change a number of months in advance does not in any way relate to any plans on your part to divorce your wife!

Edited January 11, 201412 yr by OJAS

The only way you could do it early would be if you got divorced and went in to cancel your extension based upon marriage for that reason. It could also possibly be done if you had some document saying that you had separated.

Its my understanding that an extension based on retirement has mothing to do with being married.

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we are cpnsidering a friendly uncontested divorce sometime before next extention and wanted to change status sooner to work out details without the extention interfering with divorce paperwork. Hoping to go to District office where marriage recorded. We arenot contesting anything and remain good friends to keep family together. Should there be any problem if qualified for extension based on retirement?

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Just go through the divorce process and then as soon as it is finalized go to immigration with your divorce certificate to cancel your current extension and apply for an extension based upon retirement.

Thanks Ubonjoe,

As long as it as simple as that, will considere that. This is an unusual situation and we are best of friends, and friends with the person she wants to marry. Even planning to buid two houses a stone throw away out in Mai Rim to take care of our son and Thai Niece. We just didn't want any hassle with changing visa. Have Gov pensions covering requirment and money in bank.

Thanks for your help.

It is as simple as that and the only way to do it other than leaving and re-entering the country without a re-entry permit to cancel out your extension and starting all over again with a new non-o visa.

Just be sure you have an income letter from the embassy for 65k baht income or letter from bank for the 800k baht option.

If you get joint custody of your son you could also do your extension based upon having a Thai child with the same financial requirements as marriage.