Long, long wait for annual immigration stamp in Phuket!

[jacko45k]

Quite normal to wait 2 months or more for this sort of extension approval from Bangkok. Been like that every year I've applied (now 16 years married). What worries me is that in the last 2 years when the 30 day extension stamp expires they won't give another 30 day extension. Means I am overstayed, I argued that point last extension but Immigration officer just waved me away with a don't worry excuse.

You've been living a long time here and you also run a business and have a work permit. Shouldn't it be fairly easy for you to get permanent residency or even citizenship? Wonder if you ever tried to apply for either.

I don't understand why he was getting a retirement visa (extension I guess he means), under these circumstances either.

[geoffphuket]

Really? I've never had that happen. They gave me a 7 week extention (on the same day) when I handed in the paperwork. It looks to me like they definately have a serious problem coping with the ever increasing number of people wanting extentions.

They give only 30 days waiting extension from the date on last extension expiry. I suspect like me you applied 20+ days in advance (30 day max) = giving 7 weeks from the date of extension application.

But 30 days waiting extension is the maximum days. I go early to give then almost 2 months to get the Bangkok approval. That used to be enough time, but not enough time these past 2 years applications.

For sure the system has a serious problem. Look at what members say on the CM forum about the Chainag Mai Immigration problem. Much worse than Phuket Immigration ... but we are heading the same way.

Normally I apply about 3 weeks before the expiry date, but last year they told me to come back nearer the date - damn annoying having got bank statements and everything else they need. This year I left it untill 10 days before. That's when they gave me a 7 week 'waiting' stamp - not the usual 30 days. I also forgot to mention that although not getting another waiting stamp when I returned the other day, they did give me a slip of paper - stamped and signed, but not dated - to say I'm NOT overstaying. That's some relief, but not having a light at the end of the tunnel is annoying.

[csabo]

They did it to me too. The worst part is they say "Come back next week, you get stamp, no problem". Then next week the same thing, week after week after week. Why they don't just say come back in 2 or 3 weeks or a month I don't know. Basically they have what you want and it's a big game for them. Just don't let them get under your skin.

[dominique355]

So, you submitted the annual marriage extension "package" with all the standard documents and it has been two months? It should take 24 hours at most if the answer is "yes" to the above question, and two months would be way, way out of the norm.

For the past 19 years, it's taken about 3-4 weeks. That' normal, I've no idea where you get the 24 hours from!

Sorry, for some odd reason I had retirement stuck in my brain.

That said. Two months is insane. Another reason to go with retirement extension vs marriage if you are 50.

Couldn't agree more.

I was at Immigration in Bangkok (Chaeng Wattana) and the Immigration Inspector took less than 10 min to check my documents in support of the retirement visa.

Protection of the family is not very high on the Thai government's agenda.

[Bulldozer Dawn]

Did I mention how glad I am to have left Phuket for good.

Is the woman still in charge of immigration.

[spidermike007]

Did I mention how glad I am to have left Phuket for good.

Is the woman still in charge of immigration.

I recently left Samui for good, and feel the same way. Immigration there was horrendous. There are 50 reasons why I am thrilled to have left Samui in the rear view. Had some great years there. But the overall quality of life there is declining, in my view, and I do not see anyone with vision doing anything about it. One of Samui greatest shortfalls.

[Bulldozer Dawn]

Did I mention how glad I am to have left Phuket for good.

Is the woman still in charge of immigration.

I recently left Samui for good, and feel the same way. Immigration there was horrendous. There are 50 reasons why I am thrilled to have left Samui in the rear view. Had some great years there. But the overall quality of life there is declining, in my view, and I do not see anyone with vision doing anything about it. One of Samui greatest shortfalls.

Yep my decision to leave Phuket was stellar. Up here in the jungle I have zero problems other than the occasion power outtage during a storm. If I want to go to Phuket it is just a few hours ride and I leave and 3 or 4 in the morning to avoid traffic. The Thai people around me are warm and genuine. No rakka farang BS. And my girl has made some lovely new Thai friends here already who have gone out of their way to help her. The younger Thais around here also wai me, instead glaring at me with hatred and disdain as was so often the case in Phuket.

Our garden is going gang busters with all the rain and we are now very close to self sufficient for our herbs and veges. We have String beans, cucumbers, pineapples, eggplants, paw paws, pumpkin, lettuce, bok choi, holy basil, lemon basil, sweet basil, Pak boong, and dozens of different types of chillies. All organic and fertilised with..........elephant poo.

Yesterday I caught a huge (about 2 kilo) bpoo dam (mud crab). Steamed him up last night with some ginger and othe herbs.

Priceless.

Some such as NKM and myself have commented here that many of the expats living on Phuket are like frogs in a pot of water that is slowly coming to the boil.

Quality of life for them is diminishing just a little bit more each day, but they won't jump out of Phuket, instead they will, sooner rather than later, be boiled alive.

Edited September 22, 2015 by Bulldozer Dawn

[spidermike007]

Did I mention how glad I am to have left Phuket for good.

Is the woman still in charge of immigration.

I recently left Samui for good, and feel the same way. Immigration there was horrendous. There are 50 reasons why I am thrilled to have left Samui in the rear view. Had some great years there. But the overall quality of life there is declining, in my view, and I do not see anyone with vision doing anything about it. One of Samui greatest shortfalls.

Yep my decision to leave Phuket was stellar. Up here in the jungle I have zero problems other than the occasion power outtage during a storm. If I want to go to Phuket it is just a few hours ride and I leave and 3 or 4 in the morning to avoid traffic. The Thai people around me are warm and genuine. No rakka farang BS. And my girl has made some lovely new Thai friends here already who have gone out of their way to help her. The younger Thais around here also wai me, instead glaring at me with hatred and disdain as was so often the case in Phuket.

Our garden is going gang busters with all the rain and we are now very close to self sufficient for our herbs and veges. We have String beans, cucumbers, pineapples, eggplants, paw paws, pumpkin, lettuce, bok choi, holy basil, lemon basil, sweet basil, Pak boong, and dozens of different types of chillies. All organic and fertilised with..........elephant poo.

Yesterday I caught a huge (about 2 kilo) bpoo dam (mud crab). Steamed him up last night with some ginger and othe herbs.

Priceless.

Some such as NKM and myself have commented here that many of the expats living on Phuket are like frogs in a pot of water that is slowly coming to the boil.

Quality of life for them is dimishing just a little bit more each day, but they won't jump out of Phuket, instead they will, sooner rather than later, be boiled alive.

Keep up the good life. Many are realizing there is life after Phuket and Samui, and it is a far better one indeed. I got some of that attitude from the locals in Samui too. Some were very nice. But alot were very jaded and you could tell they were just tolerating us. Those are not the people I want to interact with! Being around small town people is so much more pleasant. Samui felt like a tired and dirty dish rag. All used up and worn out.

[NoshowJones]

Quite normal to wait 2 months or more for this sort of extension approval from Bangkok. Been like that every year I've applied (now 16 years married). What worries me is that in the last 2 years when the 30 day extension stamp expires they won't give another 30 day extension. Means I am overstayed, I argued that point last extension but Immigration officer just waved me away with a don't worry excuse.

Funny you should say that. I asked for another stamp this morning and the officer refused, telling me I'd have to visit every week to see if the paperwork has been returned.

They go to extremes asking for phone numbers and email addresses, but cant be bothered to use the damn things! It's really inconvienient having to keep going back.

That's one of two things I keep going on about in Thailand, the Immigration offices inconsistenses, and making up their own rules depending

on what mood they are in.

The other one is the dreadful road fatalities and amount of drivers and riders not having a licence.

[NoshowJones]

Sorry, for some odd reason I had retirement stuck in my brain.

That said. Two months is insane. Another reason to go with retirement extension vs marriage if you are 50.

Fine if you want to have the 800,000 baht in the bank or 65,000 baht pension a month. Married man needs only 400,000 baht in bank or 40,000 baht/month pension or income. Never relly understood why a married couple need less money than a single man ?? Oh wait - many reasons why a single man needs more money

This is Thailand.

[NoshowJones]

Sorry, for some odd reason I had retirement stuck in my brain.

That said. Two months is insane. Another reason to go with retirement extension vs marriage if you are 50.

Fine if you want to have the 800,000 baht in the bank or 65,000 baht pension a month. Married man needs only 400,000 baht in bank or 40,000 baht/month pension or income. Never relly understood why a married couple need less money than a single man ?? Oh wait - many reasons why a single man needs more money

I want to keep this on topic, however, it annoys me that the 400k for married couples isn't 'Grandfathered', yet the retirement 800K is. There's no logic to it at all.

Again, this is Thailand. Also, why can't the marriage extensions be a combination the same as the retirement visa?

Thailand does not cater well for under fifties who want to stay here, especially those who don't want to get married.

[Bulldozer Dawn]

As I am single, and under 50 years of age, I have never been through the process, but if I understand correctly, whilst the Dep't of Immigration hold your passport for 2 months, you can not leave Thailand should an emergency occur, or even plan a holiday abroad, during this time.

Seems an unacceptable time period to me.

Wrong wrong. I don't see anyone posted that. They do not hold your passport for 2 months. They give a 30 day extension stamp while the 'married to Thai national' application is approved by Bangkok, used to be the same day, but this year they do hold passport until the next day to process the stamp. This is very wrong and worrying.

As you NKM plan never to marry a Thai then this should not be any problem.

I expect you might take the retirement route when you reach 50, then the approval is made here in Phuket and used to be the one year extension stamp is made immediately, Recently you have to wait til the next day.

@ stevenl and LIK

Thanks for the clarification.

Never say never in Thailand. I may marry a Thai in the future. I'm certainly in no hurry.

To be honest, when I read about all the paperwork, which constantly changes, as per which side the Immigration Officer got out of bed, and the fact that I don't mind a few days away from Phuket, every few months, I'm not sure I will get a retirement visa when I turn 50.

Before anyone asks, I can easily meet ALL of the criteria, right now, except for being 50.

I may continue with the tourist visas until they cut me off. It just seems easier, and in a strange way, more empowering. You don't have to rely on a third party, or parties, for various documents, which means less running around and waiting in queues.

I just go to a Thai Consuate, submit the form, photo, passport, money and come back tomorrow. Rarely am I asked to show an air ticket leaving Thailand.

No need to keep up to date with current requirements, do a 90 day report, get bank statements, get a letter from my Foreign Office or tie up 800,000 baht in a Thai bank, get a re-enty permit etc etc.

I'll weigh it all up when I turn 50, but I am continually surprised at the never ending bureaucracy in the process. They are now asking for a photocopy of your ATM card - how ridiculous.

I too am mulling over whether or not to apply for the retirement extension. The freedom that remaining here on a Tourist visa givers is very hard to beat. And despite the continuing crackdown click bait threads here on TV, nothing has changed for me over the last two years.

Also NKM, are you aware that if you don't want to go the retirement extension route, an agent in Penang can get you a 12 month multi entry O once you are 50. Just show a bank book with 800K in it. And also there is the incoming multi entry tourist visa on Nov 13.

I think I will try one retirement extension to see how problematic it is up here. If I get any grief, I will continue on with Tourist visas or get annual Non O multis from Penang.

[NoshowJones]

I want to keep this on topic, however, it annoys me that the 400k for married couples isn't 'Grandfathered', yet the retirement 800K is. There's no logic to it at all.

Not sure what you mean. The married requirement used to be 200,000 baht when the retired amount was 400,000 baht (many years ago). The 200 grand was never grandfathered for me. Mind you they changed the rules for my particular situation and I could no longer show money in the bank if have a Work Permit. Sorry - way off topic rant now.

Retire with 800K in the bank, and in 20 years (theoretically) they'll still want to see the same. Married, the 400K could change at any time!

So can the former, again This is Thailand.

[NoshowJones]

So can you get a retirement visa when married to a Thai & only need 400K in the bank for 3 months or do they just do the marriage visa which in the past always took one month for the paperwork to be done. Once they told me it was not ready after one month & same scenario, come back in a few days & don't worry about not having a stamp to cover the extra time.

You are confusing retirement extension and married to Thai national extension. Not the same. Completely different application procedure. Retirement extension easy (I know cos one year I applied and the officer noted I had over 800 grand in the bank and said it would be easier for him to grant a retirement extension the same day. Ignored the fact that I had a WP and it was years before an officer noticed I was working and refused me a retirement visa ), married extension difficult with more paperwork and interview with both parties. Can't even do the 400k with a WP these day, need proof of income and a mound more of paperwork.

Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork, again, this is Thailand. It must have taken them about 50 pages just for me to get married.

I think a lot of Thais don't have the brains to use computers.

[pistachios]

I'm so glad I have a multiple entry O visa.

Getting in and out of the country every 3 months is just a minor inconvenience compared to the idea of having to deal with Phuket immigration office. I have not set foot there for a year and it feels soooo good.

[Shaunduhpostman]

I saw that, as an employee of a major university, immigration would give the university officials major run arounds, year after year. Stern head shakings, "No renewal!" We would be in there at Suan Phlu all afternoon badgering calling people at the uni to talk to the guys to reconsider to look more carefully. They would have a discussion with some higher level university official via phone and we would get sent to speak to someone else. That person would pan us. We'd make another phone call, another phone discussion, get sent to someone else. Sit with that person for hours with a pile of documents literally two feet high. "let me see that! No! This one is no good, OK alright, fine! Please go now I am busy!" In the end they would turn around and grant the extension.

When it came time for me to base my stay in Thailand on marriage, I thought, how in hell will I deal with these people on my own, especially after an ED visa ended in my visa being cancelled by an ill tempered official, when I went in to ask about how to change to a visa for employment. "So, you are looking for work?! You can't do that!" Snatched my passport and stamped canceled on the visa right then and there. "You are now on overstay my friend! For 2000 baht I will give you a seven day extension!" Absolute tyrants, I will never unless I absolutely have to, visit an immigration office in Thailand. 90 day border runs on a multiple non-O are the only way to do it for me. This thread only further confirms that it isn't just me or people with MA's and PhD.'s who incur their wrath, forgive me if that's what you guys have, perhaps that is part of the problem, being better educated than they are, among other things I'm sure, is an affront to these guys.

Edited September 22, 2015 by Shaunduhpostman

[NamKangMan]

I'm so glad I have a multiple entry O visa.

Getting in and out of the country every 3 months is just a minor inconvenience compared to the idea of having to deal with Phuket immigration office. I have not set foot there for a year and it feels soooo good.

I have never dealt with a Thai in a Thai Consulate, in the region.

To date, I've never been given any grief, and never had to pay anymore than the precribed amount.

[LivinginKata]

<snip>

When it came time for me to base my stay in Thailand on marriage, I thought, how in hell will I deal with these people on my own, especially after an ED visa ended in my visa being cancelled by an ill tempered official, when I went in to ask about how to change to a visa for employment. "So, you are looking for work?! You can't do that!" Snatched my passport and stamped canceled on the visa right then and there. "You are now on overstay my friend! For 2000 baht I will give you a seven day extension!" Absolute tyrants, I will never unless I absolutely have to, visit an immigration office in Thailand. 90 day border runs on a multiple non-O are the only way to do it for me. This thread only further confirms that it isn't just me or people with MA's and PhD.'s who incur their wrath, forgive me if that's what you guys have, perhaps that is part of the problem, being better educated than they are, among other things I'm sure, is an affront to these guys.

That official was way out of line. A long time ago I had a similar situation, Immigration Officer told me to leave the country immediately. I pointed out I had a Thai wife and I had the right to a 30 day extension (cost 1,900 baht). He could see I knew my rights and he very grudging told me to bring my wife for interview. I got the 30 day extension.

[geoffphuket]

They did it to me too. The worst part is they say "Come back next week, you get stamp, no problem". Then next week the same thing, week after week after week. Why they don't just say come back in 2 or 3 weeks or a month I don't know. Basically they have what you want and it's a big game for them. Just don't let them get under your skin.

I'm sorry to hear you've had the same problem. They got 'under my skin' several years back, to the point now that I wonder if its all worth while. It's no great hassel having a day out at the Andaman Club, Ranong, every 90 days, and a holiday to Penang every 15 months.

[geoffphuket]

As I am single, and under 50 years of age, I have never been through the process, but if I understand correctly, whilst the Dep't of Immigration hold your passport for 2 months, you can not leave Thailand should an emergency occur, or even plan a holiday abroad, during this time.

Seems an unacceptable time period to me.

Wrong wrong. I don't see anyone posted that. They do not hold your passport for 2 months. They give a 30 day extension stamp while the 'married to Thai national' application is approved by Bangkok, used to be the same day, but this year they do hold passport until the next day to process the stamp. This is very wrong and worrying.

As you NKM plan never to marry a Thai then this should not be any problem.

I expect you might take the retirement route when you reach 50, then the approval is made here in Phuket and used to be the one year extension stamp is made immediately, Recently you have to wait til the next day.

@ stevenl and LIK

Thanks for the clarification.

Never say never in Thailand. I may marry a Thai in the future. I'm certainly in no hurry.

To be honest, when I read about all the paperwork, which constantly changes, as per which side the Immigration Officer got out of bed, and the fact that I don't mind a few days away from Phuket, every few months, I'm not sure I will get a retirement visa when I turn 50.

Before anyone asks, I can easily meet ALL of the criteria, right now, except for being 50.

I may continue with the tourist visas until they cut me off. It just seems easier, and in a strange way, more empowering. You don't have to rely on a third party, or parties, for various documents, which means less running around and waiting in queues.

I just go to a Thai Consuate, submit the form, photo, passport, money and come back tomorrow. Rarely am I asked to show an air ticket leaving Thailand.

No need to keep up to date with current requirements, do a 90 day report, get bank statements, get a letter from my Foreign Office or tie up 800,000 baht in a Thai bank, get a re-enty permit etc etc.

I'll weigh it all up when I turn 50, but I am continually surprised at the never ending bureaucracy in the process. They are now asking for a photocopy of your ATM card - how ridiculous.

I too am mulling over whether or not to apply for the retirement extension. The freedom that remaining here on a Tourist visa givers is very hard to beat. And despite the continuing crackdown click bait threads here on TV, nothing has changed for me over the last two years.

Also NKM, are you aware that if you don't want to go the retirement extension route, an agent in Penang can get you a 12 month multi entry O once you are 50. Just show a bank book with 800K in it. And also there is the incoming multi entry tourist visa on Nov 13.

I think I will try one retirement extension to see how problematic it is up here. If I get any grief, I will continue on with Tourist visas or get annual Non O multis from Penang.

Extending a retirement visa is never a problem, from what I'm told by friends. 800K in the bank, a couple of photos, address confirmation and copy of passport. Done and dusted in a day!

[geoffphuket]

I want to keep this on topic, however, it annoys me that the 400k for married couples isn't 'Grandfathered', yet the retirement 800K is. There's no logic to it at all.

Not sure what you mean. The married requirement used to be 200,000 baht when the retired amount was 400,000 baht (many years ago). The 200 grand was never grandfathered for me. Mind you they changed the rules for my particular situation and I could no longer show money in the bank if have a Work Permit. Sorry - way off topic rant now.

Retire with 800K in the bank, and in 20 years (theoretically) they'll still want to see the same. Married, the 400K could change at any time!

So can the former, again This is Thailand.

The reason I chose my words carefully, saying theoretically!

[fred Kubasa]

I've never had to wait that long in Phuket or Pattaya now but I also have

never had a satisfactory outcome to any visit to immigration. I bring a suitcase full of documents/copies/pictures and still the chant :

KOPPEE.KOPPEE, KOPPEE, at volumn 10 and ushered to the conveniently located

copy shop, next door, probably owned by immigration relative, charged double the going rate for copies and rejoin the HERD ! At the end, they seem to

discard all the papers I just filled out, use 18 rubber stamps, a stamp pad that hasn't been refilled since 1959, and say GO !

[LivinginKata]

Extending a retirement visa is never a problem, from what I'm told by friends. 800K in the bank, a couple of photos, address confirmation and copy of passport. Done and dusted in a day!

Or proof of 65,000 baht/month pension if you don't want to keep 800,000 baht in a Thai bank for at least 3 months.

[Bulldozer Dawn]

Extending a retirement visa is never a problem, from what I'm told by friends. 800K in the bank, a couple of photos, address confirmation and copy of passport. Done and dusted in a day!

Not necessarily true. In preparation for my retirement visa extension I have visited the local immigration on 3 occassions. Each time I was told something different. Also note that I speak good Thai. The local office require, in addition to your listed items, letter from the bank, copy signed copy of tabien and ID card, photo of house with me standing in front and map of house location. Then of course you have the 90 day reporting. And if you want to come and go from the country you need a multi entry permit. Also you money is tied up in the bank account for at least three months. Also the extension is only good for 12 months.

If you make a multi NON O with an agent in Penang, the money is just tied up in your Thai bank account for a couple of days. No 90 day reports, come and go out of the country as you please, and the visa is good for 15 months. Price I was quoted by the agent in Penang for 12 month multi O was just 820 ringit or about 7000 baht. No dealing with thai immigration staff...just wait in your hotel in Penang for your new visa to arrive.

If you get retirement extension it costs 1900 plus 3800 for the multientry permit so about 6000 baht all up but only good for 12 months. The slightly higher cost of the Penang option is more than offset by the fact that you 800K is not tied up in a Thai bank account for 3 months.

The more I think about things here as I type, I think just getting back to back multi NON Os is the way to go.

[NamKangMan]

As I am single, and under 50 years of age, I have never been through the process, but if I understand correctly, whilst the Dep't of Immigration hold your passport for 2 months, you can not leave Thailand should an emergency occur, or even plan a holiday abroad, during this time.

Seems an unacceptable time period to me.

Wrong wrong. I don't see anyone posted that. They do not hold your passport for 2 months. They give a 30 day extension stamp while the 'married to Thai national' application is approved by Bangkok, used to be the same day, but this year they do hold passport until the next day to process the stamp. This is very wrong and worrying.

As you NKM plan never to marry a Thai then this should not be any problem.

I expect you might take the retirement route when you reach 50, then the approval is made here in Phuket and used to be the one year extension stamp is made immediately, Recently you have to wait til the next day.

@ stevenl and LIK

Thanks for the clarification.

Never say never in Thailand. I may marry a Thai in the future. I'm certainly in no hurry.

To be honest, when I read about all the paperwork, which constantly changes, as per which side the Immigration Officer got out of bed, and the fact that I don't mind a few days away from Phuket, every few months, I'm not sure I will get a retirement visa when I turn 50.

Before anyone asks, I can easily meet ALL of the criteria, right now, except for being 50.

I may continue with the tourist visas until they cut me off. It just seems easier, and in a strange way, more empowering. You don't have to rely on a third party, or parties, for various documents, which means less running around and waiting in queues.

I just go to a Thai Consuate, submit the form, photo, passport, money and come back tomorrow. Rarely am I asked to show an air ticket leaving Thailand.

No need to keep up to date with current requirements, do a 90 day report, get bank statements, get a letter from my Foreign Office or tie up 800,000 baht in a Thai bank, get a re-enty permit etc etc.

I'll weigh it all up when I turn 50, but I am continually surprised at the never ending bureaucracy in the process. They are now asking for a photocopy of your ATM card - how ridiculous.

I too am mulling over whether or not to apply for the retirement extension. The freedom that remaining here on a Tourist visa givers is very hard to beat. And despite the continuing crackdown click bait threads here on TV, nothing has changed for me over the last two years.

Also NKM, are you aware that if you don't want to go the retirement extension route, an agent in Penang can get you a 12 month multi entry O once you are 50. Just show a bank book with 800K in it. And also there is the incoming multi entry tourist visa on Nov 13.

I think I will try one retirement extension to see how problematic it is up here. If I get any grief, I will continue on with Tourist visas or get annual Non O multis from Penang.

I read about the new 6 month multiple entry tourist visa, for 5000 baht, being introduced in November.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857598-confirmed-new-multiple-entry-tourist-visa-for-thailand-available-from-november/

If they allow the 30 day extension, for 1900 baht, I may move to this visa.

I'm aware of the 12 month multiple entry O visa, but I'll make my 800,000 baht work for me, not Thailand, and Thai financial institutions.

Could you image what would happen if evey expat withdrew their 800,000 baht - Thai banks would collapse. It's quite funny that they are propped up by farang money, through the visa laws.

I think I will just stick to giving Thailand a few thousand baht every 3 months for my tourist visa, and enjoy the food of Penang, the craziness of Phnom Penh, the atmosphere in Ho Chi Minh City, the Formula 1 and MotoGP of Malaysia, and the convenience of Singapore.

I can do everything I need to do on a Thai tourist visa here - lease an apartment, bank account, sim card, drivers / riders licence, own a vehicle. Pretty much everything a long visa holder can do.

If they are always going to treat me like a tourist, I may as well be one.

Edited September 22, 2015 by NamKangMan

[Bulldozer Dawn]

I too am mulling over whether or not to apply for the retirement extension. The freedom that remaining here on a Tourist visa givers is very hard to beat. And despite the continuing crackdown click bait threads here on TV, nothing has changed for me over the last two years.

Also NKM, are you aware that if you don't want to go the retirement extension route, an agent in Penang can get you a 12 month multi entry O once you are 50. Just show a bank book with 800K in it. And also there is the incoming multi entry tourist visa on Nov 13.

I think I will try one retirement extension to see how problematic it is up here. If I get any grief, I will continue on with Tourist visas or get annual Non O multis from Penang.

I read about the new 6 month multiple entry tourist visa, for 5000 baht, being introduced in November.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/857598-confirmed-new-multiple-entry-tourist-visa-for-thailand-available-from-november/

If they allow the 30 day extension, for 1900 baht, I may move to this visa.

I'm aware of the 12 month multiple entry O visa, but I'll make my 800,000 baht work for me, not Thailand, and Thai financial institutions.

Could you image what would happen if evey expat withdrew their 800,000 baht - Thai banks would collapse. It's quite funny that they are propped up by farang money, through the visa laws.

I think I will just stick to giving Thailand a few thousand baht every 3 months for my tourist visa, and enjoy the food of Penang, the craziness of Phnom Penh, the atmosphere in Ho Chi Minh City, the Formula 1 and MotoGP of Malaysia, and the convenience of Singapore.

I can do everything I need to do on a Thai tourist visa here - lease an apartment, bank account, sim card, drivers / riders licence, own a vehicle. Pretty much everything a long visa holder can do.

If they are always going to treat me like a tourist, I may as well be one.

As usual, I find little to disagree with in your posts. However, I have an online brokerage account to trade the set, buy managed funds, and also receive money market interest on the cash balance. It is linked to a thai bank account and it is very easy to transfer funds down for a day or 2, get my NON O multi in Penang, and then transfer the funds back up again. So my money is working for me all the time.

Moreover, I would not like to be living here full time (and with a Thai partner who I care about) with less than 800K in emergency funds. Before the protests I had about 15 million here in Thailand, it was always my plan when I moved here full time to have a chunk of my net worth in Baht to hedge against any collapse in my home currency, but due to the uncertainty I transferred the bulk of those funds out to my US dollar account in Hong Kong.

[LivinginKata]

<snip>

Moreover, I would not like to be living here full time (and with a Thai partner who I care about) with less than 800K in emergency funds. Before the protests I had about 15 million here in Thailand, it was always my plan when I moved here full time to have a chunk of my net worth in Baht to hedge against any collapse in my home currency, but due to the uncertainty I transferred the bulk of those funds out to my US dollar account in Hong Kong.

Good move ... I too shipped much money out of Thailand during the 'uncertainies'. I moved to Singapore banking system over 5 years ago. Have a multicurrency account, move any Thai baht 'profits' straight to Singapore by internet banking. Going off topic now ... sorry mods ...

[stereolab]

Extending a retirement visa is never a problem, from what I'm told by friends. 800K in the bank, a couple of photos, address confirmation and copy of passport. Done and dusted in a day!

Last week in Nong Khai, extension of stay (retirement), based upon income from overseas, done and dusted under 1 hour.

[melvinmelvin]

Quite normal to wait 2 months or more for this sort of extension approval from Bangkok. Been like that every year I've applied (now 16 years married). What worries me is that in the last 2 years when the 30 day extension stamp expires they won't give another 30 day extension. Means I am overstayed, I argued that point last extension but Immigration officer just waved me away with a don't worry excuse.

You've been living a long time here and you also run a business and have a work permit. Shouldn't it be fairly easy for you to get permanent residency or even citizenship? Wonder if you ever tried to apply for either.

Not really ... after 10 years of annual extensions I qualified for PR. I enquired at Phuket immigration and the officer just laughed at me, flatly stated I had no 'high' connections and it was well know that I never hand our brown envelopes. So I gave up on the PR idea.

For sure it's a possibility, but why bother. Cheaper to pay the 1,900 baht a year.

Citizenship ... not sure how that would even be possible. Once upon a time I did talk to a guy who wrangled a Thai passport our of the Hat Yai passport office. But why bother.

When it comes to PR or Citizenship I wouldn't bother with the clowns in Phuket. Get a good lawyer and do it in BKK. I know it would take a lot of time (years) and cost quite a bit of money but once you get it done, you wouldn't have to ever deal with immigration again. I dunno, I think I would do it if I could. Not sure if I'll be around in Thailand by the time I'd qualify though.

BTW that response about high connections would piss me off to no end. That's just so corrupt that it's not even funny. What a <deleted> up place this is.

Quite, hence, why would you want PR or citizenship in such a place?

[eisfeld]

Quite, hence, why would you want PR or citizenship in such a place?

That's a good question. Some people have family here and can't move easily. For those it would have only upsides, no downside.

Generally speaking, there can be a multitude of reasons why people want to stay here but limit the amount of bullshit they have to endure.