This is possibly more a question for other Brits, especially ones who fly to Thailand from Manchester airport.

Second thing to say is that in my passport I have several years of uninterrupted retirement extensions from Chonburi immigration in Jomtien.

OK...

I'm currently in the UK and plan to return to Thailand sometime in February or March. Then I plan to stay in Thailand for a few months, during which time I intend to renew my retirement extension and my multiple-entry re-entry permit. I'll probably return to the UK at the end of June but haven't decided exactly what date yet.

I'll be buying a return ticket in the UK and flying from Manchester in the UK.

As we all know, the people on airline check-in desks usually check you have a valid visa for the duration of your trip (especially if you're going to Thailand for longer than 30 days I guess). However my retirement extension and my multiple-entry re-entry permit expire on April 27th.

So my return ticket will say I'm returning to the UK on, say, June 30th. But my retirement extension will show me only having permission to stay in Thailand until April 27th. So, bearing in mind I have several years of uninterrupted retirement extension renewals from Chonburi immigration in my passport for anyone to see, I have two questions about my trip from the UK to Thailand...

Does anyone think I'll have a problem at the Manchester check-in desk?

Does anyone think I'll have a problem at Suvarnabhumi immigration?

Thank you for your help.

You don't need a valid visa for the length of your trip so long as you have a visa and aren't entering using the visa exemption scheme (30 day stamp on arrival) then you will be ok.

If the checkin desk guys tell you any different, then they are wrong, ask to speak to a supervisor.

This is how people fly to Thailand on one way flights, so long as you have some kind of visa there's no problem. The only people who have a problem with this rule is those who don't have a visa at all, they can be denied boarding.

Edited January 28, 201610 yr by ukrules

I did experience a problem at Gatwick several years ago when returning from a trip to the UK during the second year I gained from my original OA visa, when the check-in assistant was insistent at first that I could not board my flight as my visa had expired. Fortunately, after I had pointed out to her the re-entry permit and its significance, she relented.

Edited January 29, 201610 yr by OJAS

You don't need a valid visa for the length of your trip so long as you have a visa and aren't entering using the visa exemption scheme (30 day stamp on arrival) then you will be ok.

If the checkin desk guys tell you any different, then they are wrong, ask to speak to a supervisor.

This is how people fly to Thailand on one way flights, so long as you have some kind of visa there's no problem. The only people who have a problem with this rule is those who don't have a visa at all, they can be denied boarding.

Very interesting. Years of travelling to Thailand from the UK and I hadn't noticed this. Despite doing it deliberately! Doh.

Yes, typically most years I'll buy a return ticket in the UK around October and fly to Thailand a few days later. The date I've chosen for the return flight to the UK is typically in the first week of May the following year - which is after the April 27th expiry date of the the retirement extension in my passport at the time. And, as I say, this is deliberate. It of course allows me to go to Jomtien and renew my retirement extension in late March/early April - just before I return to the UK. Very convenient.

Doh (again).

Not once in October has the check-in desk at Manchester questioned this for my outward bound flight. The most they'll do is ask me to point out the relevant Thai 'visa' stamp in my passport. If it's still current at the time of the outward bound flight they're happy. They're obviously not worried about when it expires.

Thanks.

You will not have a problem the only other issue is why do you have an extension of stay and a multi entry if you are living in the UK . I have an extension of stay as I live in Thailand if I have to leave the kingdom which is very rare I would pay 1,000 baht and get a re-entry stamp before departing from the kingdom , multi entry is only required if you travel extensivly in and out and if this is the case why have an extension of stay seems to me your wasting money !

If your extension of stay and re-entry permit are valid when you board there should be no problem. As someone else said, if they give you any grief at check-in ask to see a supervisor.

The hassle usually arises for someone anticipating a visa exempt entry since they would not have any valid visa or permission to stay in their passports.

Just remember when you renew the extension to also get a new re-entry permit if you intend to fly back to UK and return to Thailand later.

Edited January 30, 201610 yr by Suradit69

You will not have a problem the only other issue is why do you have an extension of stay and a multi entry if you are living in the UK . I have an extension of stay as I live in Thailand if I have to leave the kingdom which is very rare I would pay 1,000 baht and get a re-entry stamp before departing from the kingdom , multi entry is only required if you travel extensivly in and out and if this is the case why have an extension of stay seems to me your wasting money !

hi

Hi I would like to know please as I will be living in Thailand this month can I get an extension to stay at the moment I have a multiple entry non o visa fir a year based on marriage what requirements do I need please I am 48

Many thanks ian

Edited January 30, 201610 yr by ianrodders

As stated above if your permit to stay in Thailand and your re entry permit are still valid then no problem at Bangkok. I have returned with only 6 days left on my retirement permit and had no problems, the guy at the immigration desk just reminded me to be sure to renew my retirement extension before the 6 th day.

You will not have a problem the only other issue is why do you have an extension of stay and a multi entry if you are living in the UK . I have an extension of stay as I live in Thailand if I have to leave the kingdom which is very rare I would pay 1,000 baht and get a re-entry stamp before departing from the kingdom , multi entry is only required if you travel extensivly in and out and if this is the case why have an extension of stay seems to me your wasting money !

The last year has been unusual. Usually I spend most of the year in Thailand.

If it is of great concern to you, , book a flight that you can change with departure date before your visa extension date & change the flight once

here in Thailand. I know that will cost more but for peace of mind

AbeSurd

I have just done what you are asking about. I returned to Thailand, via Manchester two weeks ago with a re-entry permit and an extension of stay permitted until February 12th.

At the check in desk I was asked to show I had a visa. A quick look at my Re-entry permit and I was issued a boarding pass.

AbeSurd

I have just done what you are asking about. I returned to Thailand, via Manchester two weeks ago with a re-entry permit and an extension of stay permitted until February 12th.

At the check in desk I was asked to show I had a visa. A quick look at my Re-entry permit and I was issued a boarding pass.

That's good to know. Thanks.

Important question:

Do you have retirement VISA that you obtained outside of Thailand or do you have a retirement EXTENSION that you obtained in Thailand for which you are doing 90 day reporting?

The difference is that if you have an extension, not a visa you will require a re-entry permit to keep your extension valid or your extension will automatically end when you leave Thailand.

That is the purpose of a re-entry permit.

A visa does not require a re-entry permit.

A visa remains valid, even if you leave Thailand until it's expiration date.

hi guys

i am looking for a place to get my thai ID card as when i got my yellow book for my house in udon they said that the office wont be in udon for another two months so im asking where is the nearest office to apply for my thai Id to udon thani please

all answers very much appreciated thanks

hi guys

i am looking for a place to get my thai ID card as when i got my yellow book for my house in udon they said that the office wont be in udon for another two months so im asking where is the nearest office to apply for my thai Id to udon thani please

all answers very much appreciated thanks

Not sure whey you posted in this topic. Ongoing topic about non Thai Id cards is here. ID Card for farangs

You can only apply for the ID card at the Amphoe that issued your yellow book.

Well I'm glad I started this thread back in January because earlier this week my visa status was in fact queried at check-in at Manchester airport - just like I'd been worried it might be.

Fortunately some of the reassuring replies on this thread stood me in good stead and enabled me to deal with the situation confidently. When I told the woman that it wasn't an issue and I'd done this sort of thing many times before, she let me complete my check-in, and I didn't need to call for a supervisor.

Phew.

Thank you again everyone.