phuketjohn24 Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario2008 Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlastikbinLina Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paz Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 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 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phuketjohn24 Posted October 12, 2014 Author Share Posted October 12, 2014 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ovenman Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 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/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai Visa Service Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 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 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phuketrichard Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khwaibah Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paz Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 (edited) 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. Edited October 13, 2014 by paz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJAS Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyL Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 (edited) 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. Edited October 13, 2014 by NancyL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajyindee Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khwaibah Posted October 13, 2014 Share Posted October 13, 2014 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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