Hi All, Could use some advice...

I am currently staying in Thailand on a one year extension based on marriage (we have one child together too). Next week I have an appointment in Chiang Mai to renew the extension, and I wanted to use the 400,000 baht in the bank method. However I seemed to have miss-read the requirements and only have had the money in the bank for two months to season instead of three.

What will be the likely scenario involved when they see it's only for two months? Is there any way to extend my stay in Thailand for another month and then re-apply then?

I am under 50, so I can't do the retirement visa route.

Alternatively I have the following sources of income:

I do work in Thailand, however I work in the film business, so I do not have a permanent job. Last year I've worked three different "jobs" (films) here. Each job was 100% above board with work permits issued, and taxes deducted, and I have a thai taxID. Even though the total amount of salary is above the 40,000/month minimum, I was told last time by immigration that this work did not count towards the 40,000 baht/ month salary requirement because I only was working for four months out of the year, and not all year. Even though my total income was over the 480,000 that working all year at 40,000/month would have made me.

I do have a signed contract by a major university, showing that I work for them as support staff overseas. I fly back to the school 2-3 times a year, and provide email support here. This contract is also over 40,000 baht/month, and this is how I got my first extension, however the application was flagged and had to go to a meeting with the immigration police who were skeptical about the "email support" part, and were sure that counted as "working" in Thailand. They approved my extension that year, but told me they would not do it again. So I'm hesitant to use this again.

So I'm falling through a few holes here:

1. I have the 400,000 in the bank, but have it for only two months. (this is the first time I'm using this method as an extension, but it is not my first extension, so does this count as 2 months for the first time rule?)

2. I worked in Thailand, with enough salary, but not enough months to qualify (apparently, has anyone applied for an extension without a full time job?)

3. I have a contract working overseas, but apparently writing emails counts as working here in Thailand, so I'm loathe to bring that part up again.

I should have read the rules more closely (Not sure what the difference between 2-3 months seasoning is practically, or why 2 months is OK for the first time, but not subsequent times), but wondering what options I have that would be the least annoying to go through, other than "Get a new Non-O and go through the whole process again."

Thanks!

For an extension of stay based upon marriage you only need the money to be in the bank for 2 months for every extension. Who told you 3 months.

See clause 2.18 of Police Order 327/2557 basis for extension of stay.

The requirement is money in the bank for TWO Months.

OK, Maybe I didn't mis-understand at all. That's a relief!

I got the info in two places:

here: http://thaivisa.thailand-blogs.com/marriage-extension/ (Which now I realize isn't thaivisa.com)

and here:

http://udon-news.com/en/law/extension-of-permission-to-stay-on-basis-of-being-married-to-a-thai-citizen

Both of which say 3 months instead.

Lots of misinformation floating around out there, but thanks to you all for clearing that up!

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OK, Maybe I didn't mis-understand at all. That's a relief!

I got the info in two places:

here: http://thaivisa.thailand-blogs.com/marriage-extension/ (Which now I realize isn't thaivisa.com)

and here:

http://udon-news.com/en/law/extension-of-permission-to-stay-on-basis-of-being-married-to-a-thai-citizen

Both of which say 3 months instead.

Lots of misinformation floating around out there, but thanks to you all for clearing that up!

It always pays to seek advice from here or the local Immigration Office .

Many "commercial" web sites are littered with error and misinformation !

Yes, and sneaky, because the first site was called thaivisa.thailand.com, so I initially thought it was here. they all showed up on google's first page.

Actually, for the mods, feel free to delete this entire thread because:

1. I was wrong about my question anyway.

2. I don't want to add or contribute to any more "misinformation" out there than there is already.

Thanks!

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Yes, and sneaky, because the first site was called thaivisa.thailand.com, so I initially thought it was here. they all showed up on google's first page.

Actually, for the mods, feel free to delete this entire thread because:

1. I was wrong about my question anyway.

2. I don't want to add or contribute to any more "misinformation" out there than there is already.

Thanks!

I disagree and hope this thread is kept as it will be useful for others who may be tempted to secure "information " from strange and unreliable sources .

Nothing to do with Chang Mai immigration but be aware that some other immigration offices are using the 3 month rule for extensions and 2 months only for the first extension.

Therefore it is always good to inform at your local immigration office first.

Nothing to do with Chang Mai immigration but be aware that some other immigration offices are using the 3 month rule for extensions and 2 months only for the first extension.

Therefore it is always good to inform at your local immigration office first.

As far as I know their are only 2 rogue offices that do not go by the written rules. I think those 2 are Phuket and Samui.

Nothing to do with Chang Mai immigration but be aware that some other immigration offices are using the 3 month rule for extensions and 2 months only for the first extension.

Therefore it is always good to inform at your local immigration office first.

As far as I know their are only 2 rogue offices that do not go by the written rules. I think those 2 are Phuket and Samui.

I don't know about Samui but Phuket is definitely one of them.

Nothing to do with Chang Mai immigration but be aware that some other immigration offices are using the 3 month rule for extensions and 2 months only for the first extension.

Therefore it is always good to inform at your local immigration office first.

As far as I know their are only 2 rogue offices that do not go by the written rules. I think those 2 are Phuket and Samui.

The last time I extended based on marriage Pathuthani also insisted on 3 months. That was a couple of years ago mind and the boss has changed since. Actually, it seemed to vary between officers rather than a single office rule at the time.