It's been good while it's lasted.

I've been travelling in and out of Thailand for years on visa exempt stamps, and as a consequence never took much interest in visa minutiae. Seeing that this may no longer be possible in the near future I'd like to get the forums opinion on the best alternatives.

My circumstances.

52 year old holder of 2 British passports. (For work reasons)

Married with a Thai wife and 3 dual nationality, Thai/British, children.

Engaged in freelance work outside Thailand for periods between 1 day and 63 days.

Return to Thailand between work assignments for periods between 1 day and 45 days.

Seasoned money in the bank.

My preference for any alternative would be to be able to do all the paperwork required at my local immigration office, Sri Racha, Chonburi, but if that's not possible it's not a biggie.

In the meantime, while it does last, I will continue to use the visa exempt option, alternating passports as much as I can - and the board may be interested to note that I returned recently, through DM, from a 2 day trip to Singapore and got a 30 day visa exempt stamp, in a passport with dozens of similar stamps, without an issue - but I think it wise to plan alternatives.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

perhaps a non-o , followed up by 1 year extensions based on bank account and income or marriage and multiple re-entry permit. ??

You can get a multiple entry non-o visa based upon marriage in Savannakhet Laos they would allow 90 day entries for a year.

You could also get an extension of stay based upon marriage or retirement. In order to apply for these you would first need a need a non immigrant visa.entry.

You could do a conversion to non immigrant visa entry at Bangkok immigration. Or get a single entry non-o visa from a nearby embassy or consulate.

And then apply for the extension at the Sri Racha immigration office.

After getting the extension you would need to get a multiple re-entry permit that would allow for your trips outside the country.

Apologizes to OP for hijacking his topic...

But am just wondering -for my near future- if it is possible to get an extension of stay -based upon marriage- on an already 30 days extented tourist visa.

Or, if the extension of stay -based upon marriage- has to be done within the first 60 days validity of the tourist visa?!?

Apologizes to OP for hijacking his topic...

But am just wondering -for my near future- if it is possible to get an extension of stay -based upon marriage- on an already 30 days extented tourist visa.

Or, if the extension of stay -based upon marriage- has to be done within the first 60 days validity of the tourist visa?!?

As long as you have 15 day left on your entry or the 30 day extension you can apply for the non immigrant visa entry.

Apologizes to OP for hijacking his topic...

But am just wondering -for my near future- if it is possible to get an extension of stay -based upon marriage- on an already 30 days extented tourist visa.

Or, if the extension of stay -based upon marriage- has to be done within the first 60 days validity of the tourist visa?!?

As long as you have 15 day left on your entry or the 30 day extension you can apply for the non immigrant visa entry.

Thanks ubonjoe for your prompt answer...

Appreciate

In the case of the OP, if the financial requirements of a retirement extension vs. a marriage extension aren't an issue, then a retirement extension with multi-entry re-entry permit would be an easy way to go. Of course, he wouldn't be able to get a work permit with a retirement extension, but since he's not working in Thailand, that's not an issue.

There are simply more hoops to jump thru in order to get a marriage extension, especially that first marriage extension. Retirement extensions are much easier to obtain. It's really just a matter of proving the finances.

In the case of the OP, if the financial requirements of a retirement extension vs. a marriage extension aren't an issue, then a retirement extension with multi-entry re-entry permit would be an easy way to go. Of course, he wouldn't be able to get a work permit with a retirement extension, but since he's not working in Thailand, that's not an issue.

There are simply more hoops to jump thru in order to get a marriage extension, especially that first marriage extension. Retirement extensions are much easier to obtain. It's really just a matter of proving the finances.

I don't think there are that many "hoops to jump thru". Just some extra paper work and an interview for a statement needed for the application.

Then a 30 day under consideration period before you get your extesnion stamp.

The only difference for first application is possibly a home visit.

I can say this because I have done 6 of them already. You are basing your statement on second hand info.

A person has to base their decision on which extension they want to apply for based upon good information. Then answer to the question Is it worth the extra 400k baht in the bank or not. Or possibly having to put money in the bank to make up the extra 25k baht income difference between the 2 extensions.

You're right, ubonjoe, I'm basing my comparison of marriage vs. retirement visa on second-hand info in the sense that I personally have a retirement extension , but I've watched others jump thru the hoops in Chiang Mai to get the marriage extension. Home visit, photos, interviews of neighbors, hand drawn map to your home, translations of marriage certifications, trips to gov't offices for more documents, etc, etc, and then the 30 day wait. Meanwhile, those of us with retirement extensions come in with a letter from our bank or consulate, a few forms and stamp, stamp, stamp, we're on our way. Chiang Mai wants everyone over age 50 to be on a retirement extension, not a marriage extension and they seem to go out of their way to make life difficult for those who want to go the marriage route -- unless they can come up with a really good reason -- like the need for a Work Permit. Otherwise they figure the guy is just a lowlife who can't come up with the funds for a retirement extension and they treat him that way.

You're right, ubonjoe, I'm basing my comparison of marriage vs. retirement visa on second-hand info in the sense that I personally have a retirement extension , but I've watched others jump thru the hoops in Chiang Mai to get the marriage extension. Home visit, photos, interviews of neighbors, hand drawn map to your home, translations of marriage certifications, trips to gov't offices for more documents, etc, etc, and then the 30 day wait. Meanwhile, those of us with retirement extensions come in with a letter from our bank or consulate, a few forms and stamp, stamp, stamp, we're on our way. Chiang Mai wants everyone over age 50 to be on a retirement extension, not a marriage extension and they seem to go out of their way to make life difficult for those who want to go the marriage route -- unless they can come up with a really good reason -- like the need for a Work Permit. Otherwise they figure the guy is just a lowlife who can't come up with the funds for a retirement extension and they treat him that way.

A lot you mention does not apply to everybody that applies. The translations, certification and going to the Amphoe only be need to be done if a person got married in another country. I think you are exaggerating things a bit or you have been listing to somebody making a baseless rant.

You are also writing about what happens in Chiang Mai.

I can assure if a person does not show the financial proof for a retirement extension they will not be pushed to it when they apply for one based upon marriage.

I have been qualified for retirement extensions because I am over 50 since I got my first one and have had no problem getting my extensions.

I worry when people write things like you have that could cause somebody to to make the wrong decision about which extension to get and cause them to suffer financially to meet the higher financial requirements.

If I've read (past posts) correctly: The crack down on 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) entries applies to those who have exceeded 3 back to back 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) entries and have avoided using an approved visa plus applications and payment thereof - when their true intention is to stay in Thailand as long as possible using this loophole in the system.

Back to back entries are where one arrives to get a 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp - on day 30 that person does a border run - exits Thailand to, lets say, Cambodia - then exits Cambodia and re-enters Thailand on the same day to aquire a new 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp. They then essentially intend to repeat this process over and over. Thai Imm has now closed this loophole.

However, if one arrives gets a 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp - and exits Thailand at the end of 30 days for work purposes for an period of time (more would be better) and returns at a later date for new 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp; that would not be considered a back to back entry. And the new rule may not apply.

Hence, the panic when an OP hasn't not kept themselves up to date or understood the difference.

In this case Ubonjoe has given relevant advice - there is no reason this OP can't get an approved visa and avoid the panic.

Edited May 25, 201412 yr by IBoldnewguy

If I've read (past posts) correctly: The crack down on 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) entries applies to those who have exceeded 3 back to back 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) entries and have avoided using an approved visa plus applications and payment thereof - when their true intention is to stay in Thailand as long as possible using this loophole in the system.

Back to back entries are where one arrives to get a 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp - on day 30 that person does a border run - exits Thailand to, lets say, Cambodia - then exits Cambodia and re-enters Thailand on the same day to aquire a new 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp. They then essentially intend to repeat this process over and over. Thai Imm has now closed this loophole.

However, if one arrives gets a 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp - and exits Thailand at the end of 30 days for work purposes for an period of time (more would be better) and returns at a later date for new 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp; that would not be considered a back to back entry. And the new rule may not apply.

Hence, the panic when an OP hasn't not kept themselves up to date or understood the difference.

In this case Ubonjoe has given relevant advice - there is no reason this OP can't get an approved visa and avoid the panic.

the point many are making is that it is up to the DISCRETION of the border official and HE OR SHE may not understand it the same way you do. hence the unease.

If I've read (past posts) correctly: The crack down on 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) entries applies to those who have exceeded 3 back to back 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) entries and have avoided using an approved visa plus applications and payment thereof - when their true intention is to stay in Thailand as long as possible using this loophole in the system.

Back to back entries are where one arrives to get a 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp - on day 30 that person does a border run - exits Thailand to, lets say, Cambodia - then exits Cambodia and re-enters Thailand on the same day to aquire a new 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp. They then essentially intend to repeat this process over and over. Thai Imm has now closed this loophole.

However, if one arrives gets a 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp - and exits Thailand at the end of 30 days for work purposes for an period of time (more would be better) and returns at a later date for new 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp; that would not be considered a back to back entry. And the new rule may not apply.

Hence, the panic when an OP hasn't not kept themselves up to date or understood the difference.

In this case Ubonjoe has given relevant advice - there is no reason this OP can't get an approved visa and avoid the panic.

the point many are making is that it is up to the DISCRETION of the border official and HE OR SHE may not understand it the same way you do. hence the unease.

Thanks.... that's true - most of the confusion seems to come from border crossings - but a person flying out to work would also be returning via flight - AP Imm would hopefully be more up to date/informed than a border official.

Being informed allows a traveler to look ahead and have options. Most of our plans go astray when we believe they won't. By writing it out I'm able to see if I understand it and allows for corrections. Best regards....

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If I've read (past posts) correctly: The crack down on 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) entries applies to those who have exceeded 3 back to back 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) entries and have avoided using an approved visa plus applications and payment thereof - when their true intention is to stay in Thailand as long as possible using this loophole in the system.

Back to back entries are where one arrives to get a 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp - on day 30 that person does a border run - exits Thailand to, lets say, Cambodia - then exits Cambodia and re-enters Thailand on the same day to aquire a new 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp. They then essentially intend to repeat this process over and over. Thai Imm has now closed this loophole.

However, if one arrives gets a 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp - and exits Thailand at the end of 30 days for work purposes for an period of time (more would be better) and returns at a later date for new 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp; that would not be considered a back to back entry. And the new rule may not apply.

Hence, the panic when an OP hasn't not kept themselves up to date or understood the difference.

In this case Ubonjoe has given relevant advice - there is no reason this OP can't get an approved visa and avoid the panic.

Yes I am in a very similar situation as JVC who started this thread, I work for a foriegn company and travel all of Asia and Australia and inbetween my travels have been staying in Thailand.

So typically I stay in Thailand 4-7 days and travel 5-10 days coming in and out a least 2 times a month sometimes 3, my new passport is only 3 1/2 years old and I have 75 in and out 30 day exemption stamps. I never stay in Thailand more than 183 days as I don't want to pay Thai income tax and I travel often, but I do have 2 clients here in Thailand that I visit each about 1 time per month, I also have a thai wife.

I have been doing this for 5 years now and never had a problem, actually I did not even realize that the 30 day visa exemption was just for tourism until this whole boarder run issue emerged this month. Yes I am one of the ones that is stressing over this mainly because I do not know if I should get some kind of visa or which one would work best for me. Some have said a business visa with multiple entries is what I need, others have said just a one year non imigration visa with multiple entries is what I need, others have said I should just do a marriage visa.

The whole system seems very confusing to me, for a business visa I need to go back to my home country to apply, the non immigration and or the marriage visa you need a 90 entry visa which you can convert and I don't think that works as I never stay in Thailand long enough for any one period as my job requires me to travel. Also depending on which visa web site you go to it seems you get different answers to the options. I have tried to get answers from Siam legal which places adds on TV's but these guys are useless as they never reply to your inquires.

I have been in and out a couple of times since this all started and have not had any problems yet, but a freind of mine who is in a similar situation said he got grilled at swampy last week when he flew in, but they let him in, but its like your post has said on any day with any officer it could be different. If anyone has any suggestions or knows a good immigration attorny I could consult with it would be much appreciated.

With a Thai wife you can get a multiple non-O visa, that would solve your problems.

If you are married to a Thai you could get multiple entry non-o visa that would give you unlimited 90 day entries for a year. You could make a trip to Savannakhet Laos and get it without needing to show any financial proof.

Your history of entries at the moment should not be a problem. The target of the changes are for those that are living here on visa exempt entries and just leaving an re-entering the country to get a new entry.

I don't think there are that many "hoops to jump thru". Just some extra paper work and an interview for a statement needed for the application.

The problem for rotation and in and out workers is the need for the 30 day under consideration period, each and every year.

For guys on rotation the strict ending date of an annual extension can be a little bit mitigated in that you can apply up to 30 days early, but almost everyone on month on month off rotations is going to have an issue with coming back one month later to time the under consideration.

Its this reason why retirement works so much better, as the lack of a second required visit means they can, if they are lucky, find a date in the 30 day window prior to the extension expiring, or at worst case simply do a new one on the next entry as its a single visit to the office.

I don't think there are that many "hoops to jump thru". Just some extra paper work and an interview for a statement needed for the application.

The problem for rotation and in and out workers is the need for the 30 day under consideration period, each and every year.

For guys on rotation the strict ending date of an annual extension can be a little bit mitigated in that you can apply up to 30 days early, but almost everyone on month on month off rotations is going to have an issue with coming back one month later to time the under consideration.

Its this reason why retirement works so much better, as the lack of a second required visit means they can, if they are lucky, find a date in the 30 day window prior to the extension expiring, or at worst case simply do a new one on the next entry as its a single visit to the office.

You edited my post to make it fit your reply.

The topic being discussed was for people living here full time not on a rotation.

If on a rotation and married to a Thai the multiple entry non-o visa would be the best option.

I agree that for a person on A rotation it would be difficult to do an extension based upon marriage. That has been discussed many times in other topics.

For some even an extension based upon retirement could be difficult when it came time to apply for a renewal.

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If I've read (past posts) correctly: The crack down on 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) entries applies to those who have exceeded 3 back to back 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) entries and have avoided using an approved visa plus applications and payment thereof - when their true intention is to stay in Thailand as long as possible using this loophole in the system.

Back to back entries are where one arrives to get a 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp - on day 30 that person does a border run - exits Thailand to, lets say, Cambodia - then exits Cambodia and re-enters Thailand on the same day to aquire a new 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp. They then essentially intend to repeat this process over and over. Thai Imm has now closed this loophole.

However, if one arrives gets a 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp - and exits Thailand at the end of 30 days for work purposes for an period of time (more would be better) and returns at a later date for new 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp; that would not be considered a back to back entry. And the new rule may not apply.

Hence, the panic when an OP hasn't not kept themselves up to date or understood the difference.

In this case Ubonjoe has given relevant advice - there is no reason this OP can't get an approved visa and avoid the panic.

Yes I am in a very similar situation as JVC who started this thread, I work for a foriegn company and travel all of Asia and Australia and inbetween my travels have been staying in Thailand.

So typically I stay in Thailand 4-7 days and travel 5-10 days coming in and out a least 2 times a month sometimes 3, my new passport is only 3 1/2 years old and I have 75 in and out 30 day exemption stamps. I never stay in Thailand more than 183 days as I don't want to pay Thai income tax and I travel often, but I do have 2 clients here in Thailand that I visit each about 1 time per month, I also have a thai wife.

I have been doing this for 5 years now and never had a problem, actually I did not even realize that the 30 day visa exemption was just for tourism until this whole boarder run issue emerged this month. Yes I am one of the ones that is stressing over this mainly because I do not know if I should get some kind of visa or which one would work best for me. Some have said a business visa with multiple entries is what I need, others have said just a one year non imigration visa with multiple entries is what I need, others have said I should just do a marriage visa.

The whole system seems very confusing to me, for a business visa I need to go back to my home country to apply, the non immigration and or the marriage visa you need a 90 entry visa which you can convert and I don't think that works as I never stay in Thailand long enough for any one period as my job requires me to travel. Also depending on which visa web site you go to it seems you get different answers to the options. I have tried to get answers from Siam legal which places adds on TV's but these guys are useless as they never reply to your inquires.

I have been in and out a couple of times since this all started and have not had any problems yet, but a freind of mine who is in a similar situation said he got grilled at swampy last week when he flew in, but they let him in, but its like your post has said on any day with any officer it could be different. If anyone has any suggestions or knows a good immigration attorny I could consult with it would be much appreciated.

I would suggest to pay attention to those designated as "Global Moderators" for specific visa advice. With all those in/out stamps your PP must be the size of a small book (joke). I am not married nor in business so have no experience that could help. You will find a solution.... it may not be ideal.... but something you can live with.... Good luck....

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If you are married to a Thai you could get multiple entry non-o visa that would give you unlimited 90 day entries for a year. You could make a trip to Savannakhet Laos and get it without needing to show any financial proof.

Your history of entries at the moment should not be a problem. The target of the changes are for those that are living here on visa exempt entries and just leaving an re-entering the country to get a new entry.

Thank you for the reply, so I am assuming this is at the Thai Embassy in Laos correct?

How long is the process to get the visa? What additional documents do I need, police clearence, medical certificate, map to residence etc. etc.?

The problem of getting a marriage visa in Thailand is you need to do a 90 tourist visa which you convert to marriage visa and the whole process can take 3 weeks or more and I would not be able to travel and do my job. I know they are trying to target the guys who are either just doing visa runs for either living here and or working here without a visa and go out and in, in one day. I have a foreign address still, I live in a hotel more than anywhere else, but I still rent a condo here so technically I do live here part time, I think that is where the problem is going to be at immigration in the near future for some of us, but I could be just paranoid.

Edited May 26, 201412 yr by bkkfaranguy

The OP's situation is very similar to mine. I would recommend the OP gets the Non-O multi based on marriage in Savanakhet for the reasons stated by ubonjoe and after getting a multiple Re-entry permit in Sri Racha, get a year of hassle-free trips. Next year, if the rules are unchanged, I recommend he does the Retirement extension option on that visa for the very reasons that NancyL states and ubonjoe appears to disregard. There are definitely more hoops involved on a marriage extension versus the retirement option and it is not just a Chiang Mai Immigration office issue. It's how you define 'hoops'.

My story: I obtained a 1-year Non-O in Kuala Lumpur furnishing proof of marriage to a Thai when they issued them there. I have subsequently done 2 Non-O extensions based on Marriage in Meaung Udon Thani.

I have just 'converted' to Retirement on my latest extension filed in Jomtien.

Both marriage extensions filed in Udon took at least 3 hours, required the presence of my wife (and the neighbour 'witness' the first year) and there was always something in the veritable tome of paperwork furnished that needed redoing. This despite using the guidelines issued by the Udon Immigration in the form of a A4 sized handout in Thai and English AND going to their office personally to check if there were any changes from last year. Minor stuff like 'too many pictures' one year or requests to embellish the map that was acceptable the year before. Since a marriage extension was such an onerous task of checking multiple copies and signing every page (wife signs as well), it was easy to see why the Immigration officers preferred to process most of the other people in the office first. Each year, the Immigration officer would almost plead for me to use the Retirement option citing it's ease of local approval and minimal paperwork. There was the usual wait while it was approved in Bangkok which required keeping tabs on it with a dynamic overseas work schedule. Some offices may have an 'issue' when someone on the 30-day 'under-consideration' notice requests a Re-entry permit to leave the country as I had to do during subsequent 'under-consideration' periods.

I never had any issues with with the items that seem to raise the most voluble complaints here such as proof of address, seasoning of funds or proof of income. The Immigration officer would pretty much check those straight away as if assured that a mistake could be found and the work put off while the applicant sorted it out. Having found that paperwork impeccable, they resorted to nit-picking the lower order significance stuff such as why the roads on the map were written with a black pen but the street names (in Thai as they requested) were in blue ink. By the way, they never ever came and visited so the map was for what now?

My motivation for switching to the Retirement option was the sheer volume of applicants of all sorts at Jomtien. If it took 3-4 hours in a reasonably busy provincial Immigration office, it surely looked like a day-trip in Jomtien. So, I took the Retirement option and the submission was done in 20 minutes and the passport, with fully approved 1-year extension was picked up at my leisure later the same day. No need for wives, partners or witnesses. Less hoops.

The local Immigration office vagaries are very important and the OP should do some research here to see what the Sri Racha Immigration office performance is like.

Good luck.

Edited May 26, 201412 yr by NanLaew

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If you are married to a Thai you could get multiple entry non-o visa that would give you unlimited 90 day entries for a year. You could make a trip to Savannakhet Laos and get it without needing to show any financial proof.

Your history of entries at the moment should not be a problem. The target of the changes are for those that are living here on visa exempt entries and just leaving an re-entering the country to get a new entry.

Thank you for the reply, so I am assuming this is at the Thai Embassy in Laos correct?

How long is the process to get the visa? Waht additional documents do I need, police clearence, medical certificate, map to residence etc. etc.?

The problem of getting a marriage certificate in Thailand is you need to do a 90 tourist visa which you convert to marriage visa and the whole process can take 3 weeks or more and I would not be able to travel and do my job. I know they are trying to target the guys who are either just doing visa runs for either living here and or working here without a visa and go out and in, in one day. I have a foreign address still, I live in a hotel more than anywhere else, but I still rent a condo here so technically I do live here part time, I think that is where the problem is going to be at immigration in the near future for some of us, but I could be just paranoid.

Savannakhet is a Thai consulate the embassy is in Vientiane.

You will only need your marriage certificate (plus a copy). Signed and dated copies of your wife's house book and ID card. A completed application form with 2 attached photos and a copy of your passport photo page. And 5000 baht for the fee.

You apply the morning of one day and pickup your passport the next afternoon.

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If I've read (past posts) correctly: The crack down on 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) entries applies to those who have exceeded 3 back to back 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) entries and have avoided using an approved visa plus applications and payment thereof - when their true intention is to stay in Thailand as long as possible using this loophole in the system.

Back to back entries are where one arrives to get a 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp - on day 30 that person does a border run - exits Thailand to, lets say, Cambodia - then exits Cambodia and re-enters Thailand on the same day to aquire a new 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp. They then essentially intend to repeat this process over and over. Thai Imm has now closed this loophole.

However, if one arrives gets a 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp - and exits Thailand at the end of 30 days for work purposes for an period of time (more would be better) and returns at a later date for new 30 day permission to stay (visa exempt) stamp; that would not be considered a back to back entry. And the new rule may not apply.

Hence, the panic when an OP hasn't not kept themselves up to date or understood the difference.

In this case Ubonjoe has given relevant advice - there is no reason this OP can't get an approved visa and avoid the panic.

Yes I am in a very similar situation as JVC who started this thread, I work for a foriegn company and travel all of Asia and Australia and inbetween my travels have been staying in Thailand.

So typically I stay in Thailand 4-7 days and travel 5-10 days coming in and out a least 2 times a month sometimes 3, my new passport is only 3 1/2 years old and I have 75 in and out 30 day exemption stamps. I never stay in Thailand more than 183 days as I don't want to pay Thai income tax and I travel often, but I do have 2 clients here in Thailand that I visit each about 1 time per month, I also have a thai wife.

I have been doing this for 5 years now and never had a problem, actually I did not even realize that the 30 day visa exemption was just for tourism until this whole boarder run issue emerged this month. Yes I am one of the ones that is stressing over this mainly because I do not know if I should get some kind of visa or which one would work best for me. Some have said a business visa with multiple entries is what I need, others have said just a one year non imigration visa with multiple entries is what I need, others have said I should just do a marriage visa.

The whole system seems very confusing to me, for a business visa I need to go back to my home country to apply, the non immigration and or the marriage visa you need a 90 entry visa which you can convert and I don't think that works as I never stay in Thailand long enough for any one period as my job requires me to travel. Also depending on which visa web site you go to it seems you get different answers to the options. I have tried to get answers from Siam legal which places adds on TV's but these guys are useless as they never reply to your inquires.

I have been in and out a couple of times since this all started and have not had any problems yet, but a freind of mine who is in a similar situation said he got grilled at swampy last week when he flew in, but they let him in, but its like your post has said on any day with any officer it could be different. If anyone has any suggestions or knows a good immigration attorny I could consult with it would be much appreciated.

I would suggest to pay attention to those designated as "Global Moderators" for specific visa advice. With all those in/out stamps your PP must be the size of a small book (joke). I am not married nor in business so have no experience that could help. You will find a solution.... it may not be ideal.... but something you can live with.... Good luck....

Yes I always appreciate what Ubonjoe and the moderators have to say as they have the experiance and the kindness to help. Yes I have already had to put additional pages in my book/passport, besides the 75 in and out stamps, I have over 179 stamps and or full page visa to other countries such as China, my passport never makes it past the experation date before its to big and full and in need for a new one. LOL

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If you are married to a Thai you could get multiple entry non-o visa that would give you unlimited 90 day entries for a year. You could make a trip to Savannakhet Laos and get it without needing to show any financial proof.

Your history of entries at the moment should not be a problem. The target of the changes are for those that are living here on visa exempt entries and just leaving an re-entering the country to get a new entry.

Thank you for the reply, so I am assuming this is at the Thai Embassy in Laos correct?

How long is the process to get the visa? Waht additional documents do I need, police clearence, medical certificate, map to residence etc. etc.?

The problem of getting a marriage certificate in Thailand is you need to do a 90 tourist visa which you convert to marriage visa and the whole process can take 3 weeks or more and I would not be able to travel and do my job. I know they are trying to target the guys who are either just doing visa runs for either living here and or working here without a visa and go out and in, in one day. I have a foreign address still, I live in a hotel more than anywhere else, but I still rent a condo here so technically I do live here part time, I think that is where the problem is going to be at immigration in the near future for some of us, but I could be just paranoid.

Savannakhet is a Thai consulate the embassy is in Vientiane.

You will only need your marriage certificate (plus a copy). Signed and dated copies of your wife's house book and ID card. A completed application form with 2 attached photos and a copy of your passport photo page. And 5000 baht for the fee.

You apply the morning of one day and pickup your passport the next afternoon.

Ubon Joe thank you, this sounds almost to good to be true!

So one could drive to Mukdahan park your vehicle, cross the border and spend only one night there and next day have your 1 year multiple entry visa.

What exactly is the wifes house book?

Any hotels you recommend in Savannakhet?

Do we both just do a visa on arrival to Laos?

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Ubon Joe thank you, this sounds almost to good to be true!

So one could drive to Mukdahan park your vehicle, cross the border and spend only one night there and next day have your 1 year multiple entry visa.

What exactly is the wifes house book?

Any hotels you recommend in Savannakhet?

Do we both just do a visa on arrival to Laos?

You need to be at the consulate before 11am to do your application. In my opinion it is best to arrive in Savannakhet the evening before.

The house book is the one every Thai must be registered in. It is also called a tambien ban.

You would get a Lao visa on arrival. For most it will cost 1500 baht or $35. If your wife has a Thai passport she will a 30 day visa exempt entry. Otherwise she would have to get a border pass.

I suggest you do a search on this forum for Savannakhet. You will find many topics about it.

It has been to many years since I have been there to make a suggestion about a hotel.

The topic being discussed was for people living here full time not on a rotation.

Er..

Engaged in freelance work outside Thailand for periods between 1 day and 63 days.

Return to Thailand between work assignments for periods between 1 day and 45 days.

The topic being discussed was for people living here full time not on a rotation.

Er..

Engaged in freelance work outside Thailand for periods between 1 day and 63 days.

Return to Thailand between work assignments for periods between 1 day and 45 days.

I guess I should of been more specific and said the discussion was with NancyL which was about the two types of extensions. With no reference to the original topic. If you had not edited my post that part would of been in your post.

Retirement extension has fewer hoops than marriage for sure, no matter where you do it. Since the OP said "seasoned money in the bank", I take it he is aware of the financial requirements and they're not an issue.

Don't know where the OP will 'reside' in Thailand but if a house visit, photos on the bed, and having to get neighbors to vouch for you are part of the process, like NancyL pointed out about CM, then for at least some people those would be hoops to avoid, if bank requirements for either extension are not an issue.

I was actually glad people told me about the marriage extension stuff in CM because I wouldn't have gone along with the house visit and things I listed above, which would have cost me more time and money starting over than just wiring in another 400k at the outset and doing the retirement extension instead.

Retirement extension has fewer hoops than marriage for sure, no matter where you do it. Since the OP said "seasoned money in the bank", I take it he is aware of the financial requirements and they're not an issue.

Don't know where the OP will 'reside' in Thailand but if a house visit, photos on the bed, and having to get neighbors to vouch for you are part of the process, like NancyL pointed out about CM, then for at least some people those would be hoops to avoid, if bank requirements for either extension are not an issue.

I was actually glad people told me about the marriage extension stuff in CM because I wouldn't have gone along with the house visit and things I listed above, which would have cost me more time and money starting over than just wiring in another 400k at the outset and doing the retirement extension instead.

The house visit is a one time thing for the 1st extension.. The photo on the bed is over blown. It implies laying on the bed together or such. In reality if needed if would be sitting on the edge of the bed. Same for the neighbors vouching for you..

As I wrote before I have done 6 extensions so I know first hand what is needed. We have never had a house visit.

Joe,

I give you credit the way you handle these narrow views of how things may (or may not) happen.