Can I extend my Non-O visa and stay in Thailand indefinitely through extensions and visa runs?

Oct 2, 2022
2 years ago
Adam ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi guys, thanks for accepting my group invite. I had a few questions for something I haven't tried before and wanted to run it past you knowledgeable bunch first.

I've just been granted a 90 day Non-O visa by the London Embassy on the basis of being the legal father of a Thai child.

1) Am I right in saying that I can get a 60 day extension of stay with no proof of funds? And when that's up I can apply for another 12 month extension as long as I have proof of funds?

2) A couple of years ago I tried to get a 12 month extension of stay with Samui immigration, but they asked for 500,000 THB in a bank account for 3 months. It was my understanding based on the immigration website that it should have been 400,000 THB with no 3 month requirement. I will check again with Samui Immigration when I'm back in the country, but if this happens again, is it possible for me to book a hotel in my name in another province that accepts the 400,000 THB and do my extension of stay in that province?

3) If I do a visa run every 5 months, can I stay here indefinitely on 3 month Non-O visas + 60 day extensions? Or will they view this the same as people getting too many back-to-back tourist visas?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user has received a 90-day Non-O visa based on being the legal father of a Thai child and seeks confirmation on extensions and visa runs. They inquire about getting a 60-day extension without proof of funds, the requirements for a 12-month extension, and the possibility of circumventing strict banking requirements at Samui immigration. Responses clarify that a 60-day extension can be granted without proof of funds if proper documentation is provided. However, a 12-month extension requires legal parental rights. There's also a discussion about the differing requirements across immigration offices in Thailand regarding banking proofs and possible strategies for remaining in Thailand longer through extensions and visa runs.
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Tod *********
1 - you can indeed get a 60 day visit thai family extension without proof of funds with just your name on the birth certificate and documentation from the thai mother

unfortunately unless you have been granted legal parental rights by the decree from family court, OR your child is over 7 and you were able to get the parental rights granted at your local Amphur (City Hall) you can't get a year extension based on being the parent of a thai child. Even if your name is on the birth certificate, and/or your child has a passport from your country without the family court or amphur decree of granting legal parental rights you can't get a year extension

Samui was wrong and they were telling you the banked money method for a foreigner raising a foreign child (which is 500K baht banked for 30 days the first year and 3 months for every year after that). It is indeed 400K baht banked for the extension for raising a thai child, and at least officially there is no seasoning for the 400k, although more than a few offices want it seasoned the same as a marriage extension (2 months before the date you apply for the extension)

There is nothing stopping you from taking this 90 days, taking the 60 day extension and then going to a consulate to get a new 90 day single entry Non-O. They are issued at several consulates in the area. And you could get another 60 day extension on that too.

I know people who have done that for years and years (pre-covid shit show). The thai consulate in Savannakhet will issue that 90 day Non-O without proof of funds, but Vientiane wants you to show a bank account with 200K in it to get that visa issued. Dunno about the consulates in Malaysia.
Adam ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Much appreciated mate. I have a decree from the family court plus a Kor Ror 11 document from the Amphur, so all good on that front.

I was also confident that Samui were wrong about this - quite a stressful situation made worse by the fact that this was in October 2020 when international travel and visa runs were pretty much out of the question. Theoretically if this were to happen again, do you know if it would be possible for me to get a hotel/TM30 report in another area and try a different immigration office?
Tod *********
@Adam *******
You should have went to the main office immigration office in Surat Thani not that little renegade office on Samui ๐Ÿ˜›
Adam ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
haha you ain't wrong mate! I assume it had to be the local one, but if I can just do that and go to a mainland one in the same province then that's what I'll do.

Thanks again - you're a visa legend!
Tod *********
@Adam *******
legend in my own mind more like it ๐Ÿ˜›

You're out nothing by going to Samui and checking their requirements BEFORE you need the extension, taking your documents from the country and the Kor Ror 11 so they know you have a THAI child not a foreign one that you're wanting the extension from. That way if they still hard line you with the wrong financials you know ahead of time to just go to Surat Thani.
Adam ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Will absolutely be doing that this time round. Was caught in a tricky situation where I unexpectedly quit my Thai job for a foreign one, which involved my work permit and extension of stay being cancelled. Then Samui telling me they could give me a 60 day extension to show 3 months of finances ๐Ÿ™ƒ
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