Hi, I have a situation that I thought I would run by the forum here. Situation is, wife (Thai / Australian dual citizen) and I (Australian) normally live in Oz but are currently here in Chiang Mai. I’m on a single-entry 90 day Non-Imm O (Thai wife) issued at Sydney consulate. We’re nearly at the end of the 90 days and we were originally going to return to Oz at that time, however Mrs needs to stay here for another month. She wants me to stay too, fine by me but there is the visa issue. With 20/20 hindsight I know I should have applied for a multi-entry in the first place, I will know better next time! It seems to me now I have 3 options.

1 - Apply to extend from the Non-O that I have now.

2 - Go out of the country for a few days, probably Laos or Vietnam, fly back in and get 30 days on arrival.

3 - As above, but apply for another single entry Non-O at Thai Embassy or consulate.

Applying to extend seems like a hassle to do just for an extra month. Let me know if I’m wrong, but from what I’ve read it looks like I’d have to do the full on application to extend and need the 400,000 baht in an account here, which I don’t currently have and don’t think I can organise in time. I believe it needs to be in the account for a minimum amount of time before application, is that correct? Paperwork is an issue too, I don’t have our original marriage certificate, only a scanned copy.

Option 2 or 3 seem workable, happy to take a short trip somewehere. The 30 day on arrival would have been an easy option before, though they seem to be more strict these days so I’m wondering if I might have any trouble with that? I don’t have a history of regular visa-running or anything, only did a visa run once before about 3 years ago at Mae Sai. Think there is any risk?

Option 3 seems the safest, just the minor hassle and expense of applying and all that, though don’t have original marriage cert which may be a problem. So what do you guys think would be the best option in this case? Any others that I haven't thought of? Any feedback greatly appreciated. I really don’t want to go back to Oz, I ‘m enjoying it here!

Cheers

You can get a 60 day extension to visit your wife for a fee of 1900 baht at immigration.

You wife will need to go to immigration with you when you apply. You will need your marriage certificate plus a copy, copies of your wife's house book and ID card.

Thanks for the reply. Sounds simple enough, didn't find that option in my research. The only problem is I don't have the original marriage certificate here. Only have a scanned copy that I can print. I know what government types can be like about paperwork, I used to be one myself!

Cheers

They should accept a copy of your marriage certificate. A good back up to the copy would be a Kor Ror 2 marriage registry from an Amphoe. Your wife can get one at any Amphoe by showing her ID card and paying 20 baht.

2 - Go out of the country for a few days, probably Laos or Vietnam, fly back in and get 30 days on arrival.

You could cross a land border, turn around and come back in and get a 15 day visa exempt entry that you could extend for 30 days for Baht 1900 at an immigration office = 45 days. You can do the extension a week before the 15 days is up without losing any days. They'll add the 30 days onto your 15 days whenever you go in.

No need to fly in and out unless the airfare, etc would be less than the Baht 1900 for the 30 day extension. No need to spend a few days out of the country. Bit of a hassle doing the border crossing and a bit later the extension application, but no worse than your other options if the extension to visit your wife is bogged down by paperwork.

Edited January 2, 201511 yr by Suradit69

I have done a 60 day wife extension a few times, get copies of id card, house book, proof of living in local area if not house book area, marriage and as ubon said an up todate Kor Ror 2, ( as you do not have original marriage) you will need a passport photo aswell.

I have never been asked at jomtein,Si ratcha or mataphut for originals, but you may be asked, who knows with individual offices, but never had any problems, mataphut take a photo of you both together.

Forget the border run an extension is easy

Edited January 2, 201511 yr by steve187

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. Sounds like the extension is doable, will give it a go. Well done guys.