dastott

Thank you for the insight. This is my first 12 month extension though, currently on the first step (3 month Non-O) as I only recently turned 50. HH Immigration said the funds needed to be the bank for 2 months by the time I apply for my first 12 month extension.

Thank you very much, I am using the 800k in the bank method. Hopefully the extra bank document is not necessary for 2 months of banking ‘history’

I have recently turned 50 and am on first 3 month Non-O based on Reirement. Will be going to HH Immigration soon to apply for my first 12 month extension. Do I need to get this statement from the bank also? Or would passbook do? Thanks for any insight.

No true. I got a TR there 3 months ago having stayed in Thailand for more than 4 months in the previous 6 months on visa exempts (45 day ones) and extensions etc. Hadn't had a TR before though. The OP has an even longer history however...

Yes I showed them a copy and original of my 12 month lease, and they took the copy. The flight ticket I had printed out was disregarded and handed back to me. Wish I had known it wasn't necessary (it says a flight out is needed on a notice inside the consulate) as I had bought it specifically. All the agency visa runners knew it wasn't needed so that is one benefit of using an agency.

I was at Savannakhet Thai Consulate yesterday (Monday) to apply for a Tourist Visa. Big crowds. Many minivans of agency customers. Got in the queue at 8:30 am and handed in my application at 11:30am. I wanted to ask about a Non-0 based on retirement but didn't get chance because of the chaos. For my TR the officer poured over copies of my bankbook so they were looking at financials for TRs at least.

Is Savannakhet actually enforcing this, or are they flexible with some form of income documentation?

I made 3 entries by air prior to that. Phuket in March, DMK in September and BKK in November. I was in a mini van from Penang to Hat Yai after enjoying 5 nights in Penang. Was a bit anxious the van would leave with my belongings in it.

FWIW, I had a hard time crossing into Thailand at the Sadao border crossing 2 weeks ago. It was my 4th visa exemption entry of the year (no extensions) and I had just spent 5 nights in Malaysia. I was finally let in after explaining I plan to apply for a Non O based on Retirement when I turn 50 in 3 months.

On this link: https://savannakhet.thaiembassy.org/th/publicservice/non-immigrant-visa-o-visa-retirement-in-thailand?page=5d84a44c15e39c26b400453e&menu=5d84a44c15e39c26b400453f It says that "A pension letter or a prove of retirement issued by the applicant's Embassy/Consulate." Is that actually enforced in Savannakhet? Not sure how to get one...

Would you mind sharing the name of your dentist? Thank you

I have the option of flying Birmingham (my nearest large airport)-Dubai-BKK with Emirates or Heathrow-BKK with Thai. I really would like to avoid the chaos at Heathrow but have never flown with a ME carrier. What would you do?

Thanks for the report, it's very helpful. Have always enjoyed visiting Penang, more so than the other places where a TR visa might be available.

Was this in KL or Penang you got the visa?

Thank you all. Ended up booking Tom Taxi as I can imagine it's tricky for Grab or Bolt drivers to find passengers in the airport scrum. My Thai is not enough to explain locations yet sadly.

Thank you. I have a bike box with me which makes taking public transport a hassle. I remember taking the Bell Bus back in 2007, my last visit to Jomtien. Will contact Tom Taxi. Thanks again.

Hello. I have been happily using the Bolt taxi app in Phuket but will be travelling from Bangkok (BKK) airport to Pattaya. Do Bolt or Grab drivers do this route? If not, how much should I be paying for an airport taxi or hotel transfer to Jomtien? Any recent info much appreciated. Cheers.

Thank you. So I can call them before I put a package on? I have just checked and in 2020 I got unlimited data package capped at 10 Mbps(1.25 MB/s) for 200 baht per month.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I enabled (free) International Roaming before I left and have used it in a few countries since then to receive One Time Passwords. Have been able to connect to foreign partner networks to receive SMS and have used the AIS app on wifi to top up. I called AIS support at the airport just before leaving in 2020 to suspend the package I was using (think it was unlimited data for B200 a month but can't recall exactly). They also enabled International Roaming during the same call. I cannot seem to find the package I was using before on the app, it just says Lucky Traveller SIM but doesn't give other details. The SIM card has never been taken out of the phone. I have enough balance to pay for the B350 unlimited data package offered on the app, and the expiry isn't until November. So, I just select a package from the AIS app and start using? Thanks again.

Hello. I am soon returning to Thailand after a 2 year absence. On my last trip in 2020 I was using an AIS SIM card which I have kept active by topping up regularly on the AIS app to keep the number. I now want to reactivate the card and phone number on my return to Thailand. How do I do this exactly? Just by choosing a package in the app, or by visiting an AIS shop, or by calling support? I will be arriving at Phuket airport and want to reactivate the number before reaching the hotel, if possible. Thanks for any advice.

Which Bangkok Bank branch in Hua Hin?

Egypt is very popular too for Western females looking for some local male company. Quite close to Europe.

It doesn't matter that the funds in the bank have already been in Thailand a while? I assumed (incorrectly perhaps) that the 800k funds had to be remitted from abroad fairly recently and proof of this was required. Please correct if wrong.

Thank you, very helpful. I presume there are many people with funds in Thai banks that cannot or don’t want to return at present but whose cards will expire or accounts may become dormant. A difficult situation when a visit to a branch is required to keep the account active and open.

Can you recall what proof they wanted? Would be very helpful to know. Thank you.