I was attempting to turn an on arrival visa into an O and then a retirement visa. Am 64 from USA had all the documentation. Was told no longer possible at Phuket only in Bangkok or Hat Yai as of OCT 1. Went online to Bangkok Immigration site there is a red line message stating only those living or working in Bangkok can use that facility.

What is a person to do?

phuketjohn24

For a conversion you can use Bangkok immigration without the need to actually live there. When the time comes for a1 year extension you will have to do it at the area where you live.

Or you could travel to Laos to obtain the visa from a Consulate - may save the cost of another Embassy letter of income if using that method and be more interesting.

You have been misinformed. You can buy a Non 'O' if you have 21 days left on the arrival stamp. You cannot buy if less than 21 days or on an extension of your 30 day stamp. Go to the Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town and ask for a TM 87 i.e. an application to purchase a Non Immigrant Visa.

You have been misinformed. You can buy a Non 'O' if you have 21 days left on the arrival stamp. You cannot buy if less than 21 days or on an extension of your 30 day stamp. Go to the Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town and ask for a TM 87 i.e. an application to purchase a Non Immigrant Visa.

How do you know the OP has been misinformed ? Have you specifically asked at the Phuket office after Oct 1st ?

_{Was there with more than 21 days and was told twice, once in the morning 30 and again by another in the back row in the afternoon 30. thanks all I am off to Bangkok and if they make it difficult I will be spending most of the winter in Philippines.}

Same change in Pattaya, just in case anybody missed it: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/767406-pattaya-immigration-no-longer-does-conversion-to-non-o-visa/

As said the same thing has been done in Pattaya. If you go to Bangkok they may tell you to come back in two weeks to get your visa/entry stamp.

Your best choice will be to go to Penang and get a single entry non-o visa. Just take your financial proof with you. A bank book and copies or a income letter plus a copy to give them will be enough.

Difficult to keep up with all these unannounced changes.

What is the benefit of doing the conversion in Bangkok?

We lost already 50% of our customer.

Many people told me already, other places are more welcoming.

We are here to assist, promote Thailand and make a living.

Thai Immigration make it very hard at the moment.

Just a thought

Or you could travel to Laos to obtain the visa from a Consulate - may save the cost of another Embassy letter of income if using that method and be more interesting.

if ur in Phuket just go down to Penang for a single entry,

than after 75 days get ur 1 year extension at phuket immigration

Difficult to keep up with all these unannounced changes.

What is the benefit of doing the conversion in Bangkok?

We lost already 50% of our customer.

Many people told me already, other places are more welcoming.

We are here to assist, promote Thailand and make a living.

Thai Immigration make it very hard at the moment.

Just a thought

Its very easy why. Pattaya and Phuket have been the largest areas to obtain an illicit retirement extension.

Difficult to keep up with all these unannounced changes.

What is the benefit of doing the conversion in Bangkok?

We lost already 50% of our customer.

Many people told me already, other places are more welcoming.

We are here to assist, promote Thailand and make a living.

Thai Immigration make it very hard at the moment.

Just a thought

Why don't you consider going to Savannakhet from Bangkok and Pattaya.

Asaik nobody does that, It has various advantages and could attract more people.

Difficult to keep up with all these unannounced changes.

What is the benefit of doing the conversion in Bangkok?

We lost already 50% of our customer.

Many people told me already, other places are more welcoming.

We are here to assist, promote Thailand and make a living.

Thai Immigration make it very hard at the moment.

Just a thought

Its very easy why. Pattaya and Phuket have been the largest areas to obtain an illicit retirement extension.

As has Hat Yai if the OP is to be believed.

Strongly suspect that the number of provincial offices who can process non-O conversions will soon be reduced to zero.

Difficult to keep up with all these unannounced changes.

What is the benefit of doing the conversion in Bangkok?

We lost already 50% of our customer.

Many people told me already, other places are more welcoming.

We are here to assist, promote Thailand and make a living.

Thai Immigration make it very hard at the moment.

Just a thought

Its very easy why. Pattaya and Phuket have been the largest areas to obtain an illicit retirement extension.

As has Hat Yai if the OP is to be believed.

Strongly suspect that the number of provincial offices who can process non-O conversions will soon be reduced to zero.

Hat Yai was mentioned as an office to get one not a shutdown location. That is division 6 headquarters.

Difficult to keep up with all these unannounced changes.

What is the benefit of doing the conversion in Bangkok?

We lost already 50% of our customer.

Many people told me already, other places are more welcoming.

We are here to assist, promote Thailand and make a living.

Thai Immigration make it very hard at the moment.

Just a thought

Its very easy why. Pattaya and Phuket have been the largest areas to obtain an illicit retirement extension.

As has Hat Yai if the OP is to be believed.

Strongly suspect that the number of provincial offices who can process non-O conversions will soon be reduced to zero.

Wow, it would really be amazing if they decide they can't convert a visa-exempt entry to a non-O as the first step toward a retirement extension in Chiang Mai. That's not a major source of the delays at that office. No good reason to discontinue conversions of visa exempts to non-O, especially since there are many consuls in Chiang Mai able to issue income letters.

Difficult to keep up with all these unannounced changes.

What is the benefit of doing the conversion in Bangkok?

We lost already 50% of our customer.

Many people told me already, other places are more welcoming.

We are here to assist, promote Thailand and make a living.

Thai Immigration make it very hard at the moment.

Just a thought

Its very easy why. Pattaya and Phuket have been the largest areas to obtain an illicit retirement extension.

As has Hat Yai if the OP is to be believed.

Strongly suspect that the number of provincial offices who can process non-O conversions will soon be reduced to zero.

Hat Yai was mentioned as an office to get one not a shutdown location. That is division 6 headquarters.

I think there are 2 locations in Hat Yai - the Div 6 HQ (up near the airport), and the 'city' office on Phetkasem.

Difficult to keep up with all these unannounced changes.

What is the benefit of doing the conversion in Bangkok?

We lost already 50% of our customer.

Many people told me already, other places are more welcoming.

We are here to assist, promote Thailand and make a living.

Thai Immigration make it very hard at the moment.

Just a thought

Its very easy why. Pattaya and Phuket have been the largest areas to obtain an illicit retirement extension.

As has Hat Yai if the OP is to be believed.

Strongly suspect that the number of provincial offices who can process non-O conversions will soon be reduced to zero.

Wow, it would really be amazing if they decide they can't convert a visa-exempt entry to a non-O as the first step toward a retirement extension in Chiang Mai. That's not a major source of the delays at that office. No good reason to discontinue conversions of visa exempts to non-O, especially since there are many consuls in Chiang Mai able to issue income letters.

Chiang Mai Immigration is not known for the issuance of illicit visas so I don't thank you have to worry.