I'm 80 in good health and have been coming to Thailand for the last 10 years for 6 or more months each year. I would get my 6 month Tourist Visa by taking a train to Boston and visit the Thai Honorary Consulate in Boston. This year only able to get the 60 day TV. I choose not to put my passport in the mail to NY or Wash DC for the 6 month Visa. Now I have to figure out how to extend my stay. I understand I can get a 30 day extension at the Immigration Office.

Question No 1:  Will I need to leave and come  back to activate the 30 day Extension? 

Question No. 2: What are the different options available to me to stay minimizing the number of times leaving and coming back for a Visa Exemption for the next 3 to 4 months? If that is possible?

I appreciate any suggestions to help me with my questions.

 

You can get a 30 day extension of the 60 day entry from your tourist visa at an immigration office.

You best option is to get another single entry tourist visa. Only on trip out for the visa and then a 30 day extension.

To get the number of days by doing a border run for visa exempt entries would require two trips and one extension between them. 

Thanks Ubonjoe. Does it matter what country I go to for TV?

 

12 minutes ago, Bobcro said:

Thanks Ubonjoe. Does it matter what country I go to for TV?

 

Some embassies and consulates are easier than others. 

Vientiane and Savannakhet Laos or Penang Malaysia are the best. No tickets or financial proof is needed. Other locations may want one or both of them.

Penang is a good place to go.

Just  one warning though.

Penang requires you to climb up five steps with no suppot  railing to hold on to.

For young prople, that is no problem.

But I am 70 years old and climbing stairs without a support railing is a probem as it is for many of us "oldsters"

They are nice and will help you to climb those stairs but it may b a problem if your balance isn't good due to age.

I know, I've been there

I needed help going up and down those 5 steps.

 

Edited November 18, 20169 yr by IMA_FARANG

The other thing to think about is to get a retirement extension and get the timing right so it's renewal is when you're in Thailand.  For that you can arrive with any visa, convert it at your local immigration office, then extend it for a year based on your Embassy letter proving your income.  No need to pile money into Thai Banks though it is handy transfer enough for the "holiday" in one go, thereby saving considerably on SWIFT charges, but more on that if you think this might suit your situation.

3 minutes ago, IMA_FARANG said:

Penang is a good place to go.

Just  one warning though.

Penang requires you to climb up five steps with no suppot  railing to hold on to.

For young prople, that is no problem.

But I am 70 years old and climbing stairs without a support railing is a probem as it is for many of us "oldsters"

They are nice and will helr you to climb those stairs but it may b a problem if your balance isn't good due to age.

I know, I've been there

I needed help going up or down those 5 steps.

 

Really easier (and cheaper assuming you use taxis) to use an agent.

4 minutes ago, BritTim said:

 

Really easier (and cheaper assuming you use taxis) to use an agent.

I'd second those comments about convenience, which is why I suggested the Retirement Extension option.   wfm  :)

2 hours ago, IMA_FARANG said:

Penang is a good place to go.

Just  one warning though.

Penang requires you to climb up five steps with no suppot  railing to hold on to.

For young prople, that is no problem.

But I am 70 years old and climbing stairs without a support railing is a probem as it is for many of us "oldsters"

They are nice and will help you to climb those stairs but it may b a problem if your balance isn't good due to age.

I know, I've been there

I needed help going up and down those 5 steps.

 

I am 70yrs old too and I have very bad Emphysema. I also could not get up 5 steps a couple of years ago without difficulty. I found excercises to do on the internet. The useless Pulmonary Rehab centre in Australia did not teach me any breathing techniques. I can now get up 32 steps on a footbridge to cross a busy road and I can do it holding my breath. Just a matter of some breathing exercises, its actually Yoga breathing. Go to Breatheology.com

Thanks to all posters for their helpful replies.  BobCro