Just been down to NK to apply for my extension.

My O visa (marriage) expires on 12th January.

I came back from Laos on 2nd Dec and was given a stamp saying 2nd March.

Immigration told me the following;

1- This year i can apply for the extension using the 40k bht route but all subsequent extensions have to show a balance of 400k bht. I cannot use the 40k route again.

2-I have to come back in February and they will extend my visa.I thought that if i came back after 12th Jan then my visa would be expired and this would affect my plans to apply for PR after 3 extensions .

Can they grant me an extension even though my visa has expired ?

You are extending your permit to stay not your visa. Visas are not extended.

You can do the extension during the last 30 days of your 90 day permit to stay you got from your visa.

There is no rule that says you cannot get another extension based upon having 40k baht income.

Unless you are working, have a work permit and paying taxes you will not qualify for PR.

thanks ubonjoe.. it makes sense now...

so what can i do if i am not working in Thailand to ensure my stay here indefinitely?

Is citizenship based on work and taxes also ?

thanks ubonjoe.. it makes sense now...

so what can i do if i am not working in Thailand to ensure my stay here indefinitely?

Is citizenship based on work and taxes also ?

Citizenship is the same as applying for PR. Perhaps someday maybe they will change the requirements.

You will just have to keep getting extensions of stay every year. I have already done 7 of them based upon marriage (using the 40k baht income option).

If married to a Thai you can skip PR and apply for citizenship.

Most of the requirements are about the same, including working/wp/taxes for several years.

It's a lot less expensive than PR.

Most just get extensions yearly.