Changing passports for a new retirement Visa

[Asiantravel]

I have dual nationality with two passports. The passport which has my current retirement Visa extension is now almost full but my second passport which is British is still shiny and new and completely unused even though the date of issue is 2013.

My plan is to change over passports and to get a new retirement Visa in my unused British passport. My plan was to fly from Bangkok to Savannakhet in Laos but I was just a bit concerned what the reaction would be in Laos and i submit my application for a Visa on arrival but after opening my passport they see no stamps or other Visas whatsoever.

I can also show them simultaneously the full British passport I had before the new one was issued to show them why there haven’t been any stamps or visas in the new British passport.

If I was flying from the UK using this new passport I would only be transiting through Bangkok and I wouldn’t get any stamps there would I? So that would explain all the clean pages up until arriving in Savannakhet Airport.

As I don’t want to be given a hard time in Laos can anybody point to any flaw in my way of thinking regarding the way I propose to initiate use of the new passport to get a new retirement Visa for Thailand.

[ubonjoe]

Lots of people swap passports on a trip out and back by air. They don't check for entry or departure stamps at airports.

I suggest you fly to Vientiane and use your new passport for entry there and get a single entry non-o visa at the embassy there. You will just need your passport and a bank book showing 800k baht in the account or an income letter.

It is not as easy to do a conversion to non immigrant visa as it was before. Bangkok is about the only place you can do it now and it requires two trips.

[Asiantravel]

Lots of people swap passports on a trip out and back by air. They don't check for entry or departure stamps at airports.

I suggest you fly to Vientiane and use your new passport for entry there and get a single entry non-o visa at the embassy there. You will just need your passport and a bank book showing 800k baht in the account or an income letter.

It is not as easy to do a conversion to non immigrant visa as it was before. Bangkok is about the only place you can do it now and it requires two trips.

Thanks very much for that information.

Can I ask why you recommend Vientiane rather than Savvanakhet which is a nicer place to visit in my opinion (more laid back)

[ubonjoe]

The consulate in Savannakhet is reluctant to issue a non-o visa for being 50 or over for retirement. They put up barriers such as wanting both an income letter and the 800k in bank. They will accept the 800k baht but will want a letter from your embassy stating you are retired.