Report of Conversion from ED to Retirement "Visa"

I went to Chiang Mai immigration this morning to convert my Non-Imm ED Visa (technically, my extension for the purposes of education) to Retirement Visa (technically, an extension for the purposes of retirement), having recently reached 50.

I reached CM Immigration at around 4.30am and was still only no.6 in the queue.

When they started checking everyone's applications at around 8.30am, the junior staff (I think they are interns or trainees or something as they are still in University uniform) told me it wasn't possible to change from ED to Retirement, and that I would have to cancel my ED Visa and leave Thailand to get a Non-Imm O (no mention of getting a tourist visa and converting that in-country, but never mind). I told them it was possible, and I knew people who had done the same (through reports on Thaivisa). I pointed out that I already had Non-Immigrant Visa, and I was simply changing the basis for the extension, as I was now 50, not the Visa itself. After several exchanges of "Mai dai", "Dai", they eventually went off to speak to a Senior Officer, who came and checked my documentation, and confirmed that I could convert, providing that I first cancelled my ED Visa.

I was told to go and get a letter from my language school to cancel the ED Visa, and also a "Pension" letter or bank book, but I already had these with me, so no problem and I was able to get finished before lunch. The only additional documentation required was the Foreigner Information form, which had been reduced to one page since my last visit (and no requirement for an additional photo).

There was no mention of TM30 (although I did register when I first moved into my house, and haven't changed permanent address since, so I don't know if that would make any difference or not).

It does show that it is worth persisting providing that you have done your research first, are well prepared, and have all your paperwork in order.