Can a Non-O visa holder switch to a 30-day tourist visa after expiration?

. . .and I discovered one more correct wording at the Prachuap Khirikhan Immigration office: "extension of temporary stay (permit)"

@Lee *********

you seriously should reconsider who in this discussion has made a correct statement, and stop calling me "out of my mind"

@Lee *********

What is so difficult to understand?

There is nothing such as a “visa extension”.

The DIFFERENCE between a VISA and a STAY PERMIT:

*** When a visa is issued by a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate, it has an expiry date for the use for an entry into Thailand. The period during which the VISA can be used for an entry is called the VISA VALIDITY.

*** Single-entry visa categories generally have a validity of three months from the date of issue.

*** When entering Thailand on a single-entry visa, you will receive a stamp that says “admitted until”. This is clearly indicated on the entry stamp. The date of the expiry of the stay permit you got stamped is in blue ink. The entry stamp is NOT a visa!

The DURATION of the authorized stay depends on the visa category you used when you entered. The category is marked in the right upper corner of the entry stamp.

There are various visa categories that allow entry for 15, 30, 60, 90, 180 or 365 days.

*** The visa itself becomes invalid upon entry. Many people wrongly assume they still have a visa.

A single-entry visa can be used only once. After you entered, the visa is expired.

Only "multi-entry" visa categories can be used for multiple entries during their validity period.

*** after you entered Thailand, you are NOT in Thailand on a visa, but on a temporary stay permit.

***There are several ways to extend this temporary stay permit.

The correct term for this is applying for an "extension of temporary stay permit." The extension will always be done on requirements which apply to the “reason” the initial visa was issued for.

Unfortunately, Thai immigration officials, in their poor English, often refer to it incorrectly as a "visa extension." This is simply misleading and annoying for people who give visa advice and have to fight against the windmills of ignorance.

There is one lonely Immigration office which uses correct wording. I discovered this at the Buriram Immigration:

You see, even a non-official source tells you the same. You don't "renew the visa", you just receive a new extended stay permit. You don't have a visa anymore since you entered Thailand on the 90 days Non-O Visa. There used to be 1-year multi entry Non-Imm-O Family Visa, on which you got stamped in for a 90-days stay permit on each entry within the 1-year visa validity period, however they got discontinued by October 2023.

You cannot get a "visa" extended.

You enter on a 90-days Non-O family visa.

You get stamped in for a 90-days stay permit. The visa itself expires and becomes invalid when you enter. You convert the 90-days stay permit into a 1-year extension of the stay permit based on marriage.

You don't convert the 90-days stay permit into a family visa. The original “family visa” is the 90-days Non-Imm-O visa you used when you entered. After you have entered, you have no more visa at all.

You get a 1-year extended stay permit stamped on Immigration.

For this 1-year stay permit, you buy a multi or single re-entry permit. If you buy a multi re-entry permit for 3800 Baht, you can exit and re-enter Thailand as many times as you want during the 1-year period of your stay permit.

You could say you have a “marriage extension", but should never say you got a "one year Non-Imm-O family visa", because that family visa expired when you entered Thailand

@Lee *********

exactly, that's what I am saying. Just look at the stamp in your passport. Where does it say "visa" ? It however says STAY PERMIT 2 times

I’d just renew the Non-O. You get nothing year after current one expires.

I renewed my first one 90days before it expired.

The latest changes are not for non-o visas. Changes made for stricter DTV and exempt tourist entries.

Phil Wilson Well times have changed you’ll see

@Lee *********

I've just noticed, reading through the thread, that you are married to a Thai so just before your current extension runs out it may be possible to get a 60 day extension based on "visiting Thai family" if you haven't used that option already. Note it's not based on marriage although you would need to show your marriage certificate, it just so happens that your wife is your "Thai Family"

@Lee *********

You might be able to get 60 days if you return visa exempt and get an extension. Or 90 days if you get a tourist visa and an extension. But I wouldn't be sure about any longer than that.

What’s all this Kingdom and Alien crap ?

David Earl I lived there for almost 30 years. Now it is the last place on planet Earth I want to live. Just visit but the do not believe me. 🤣 Though to be frank the last 2 years have been way happier than the previous 20. Which is roughly when Thailand.changed for the worse!

@Lee *********

so you will let your Extension of Stay Permit expire, by exiting Thailand without a re-entry permit, and re-enter visa-exempt? You will get stamped in for 30 days visa-exempt. That's it. You can buy a 30-days extension on top of this for 1900 Baht. You will have to leave Thailand before the 30-days extension stay permit is up. Brandon is correct asking what your plans are. It is rare that somebody gives up his extended stay permit based on retirement.

Fizul Bacchus it’s moved beyond talks. Date has been set, effective September 15, 2026. The new measures were published in the Royal Gazette on August 31.

Fizul Bacchus were you not asked for return ticket, was it on your TDAC form?

Fizul Bacchus I think you are wrong it starts /2026.

Fizul Bacchus yes. it is still 60 days, but if you enter after 14 sep. it will only be 30 days.