"Ask A Lawyer" giving incorrect advice about visas

[NancyL]

"Somsak Lawyer" the poster who answers the questions in the "Ask a Lawyer" forum gave an OP incorrect advice about how he had to arrive in Thailand with an non-imm O visa if he planned to obtain an extension based on retirement. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/790040-bring-euro-1500000-cash-into-thailand/

He said "Note: You must arrive here with a non-o visa. You can't apply for it within Thailand."

While it's probably often easier to obtain non-imm O visa before arriving in Thailand, it isn't impossible. As has been discussed in numerous threads on this Visa forum, someone can apply for an O visa if they arrived on 30 day visa exempt status or convert a tourist visa to an O visa as the first step toward the "two step" process of obtaining a retirement extension.

Of course, it used to be much easier when you could do these conversions in offices that served popular retirement destinations like Pattaya and Chiang Mai, but it's still possible to do conversions in Bangkok.

It causes me to wonder about the veracity of the other advice dispensed on that "Ask a Lawyer" forum.

Incidentally, there is no provision for mere mortals like me to reply to posts on "Ask a Lawyer" or I would have challenged his reply directly.

[ubonjoe]

According to the Thaivisa Ask The Lawyer Guidelines the question should not of been asked there.

"Please note that any questions regarding such matters as company registration, work permits, visas,accounting or business should be asked in our existing forums."

It is still possible of a conversion but it may soon be that it will only be possible in Bangkok.

[hml367]

NancyL

Why didn't you use the report button instead of starting a new topic under your name?

[Jingthing]

Regardless of questions of etiquette, NancyL is completely correct in her OP about the incorrect information given regarding O visas for purposes of then getting a retirement extension.

[khwaibah]

Regardless of questions of etiquette, NancyL is completely correct in her OP about the incorrect information given regarding O visas for purposes of then getting a retirement extension.

This is not the first time this has happened on this sub forum.

[Jingthing]

Regardless of questions of etiquette, NancyL is completely correct in her OP about the incorrect information given regarding O visas for purposes of then getting a retirement extension.

This is not the first time this has happened on this sub forum.

Not sure what you're talking about, but in any case, I don't see the harm in more people learning the actual facts, that you do NOT need an O visa in your passport when you arrive in Thailand to be ready for a retirement extension application, because it is possible to get one IN THAILAND.

[stevenl]

Regardless of questions of etiquette, NancyL is completely correct in her OP about the incorrect information given regarding O visas for purposes of then getting a retirement extension.

This is not the first time this has happened on this sub forum.

Yes, DL's as well for example very recently.

[ubonjoe]

Topic closed. No need for further discussion. The report button works best for questions you think may of been answered incorrectly.