Does Immigration ease the requirements for visa extensions for long-term residents in Thailand?

Only the first year they need thai witnesses

No they will not, its new document every year

They don’t care who you are , stupid laws made by stupid people !

There needs to be a big overhaul of the whole system for long timers, I cane to live in Thailand not be a temporary resident for the rest of my life...it's not right or just, all my obligations are to Thailand...if I have to icwiuld fight for that...time this was changed so foreigners can become residents without all this time wasting antics...I donr see Thai people exposed to this capacity in my country, they become Australians and I am happy they came....it's condescending and a decent government would sort this out the tourist long time resident debacle out quickly

The big thing I draw from this, and my own experience, is the number of variations in requirements from province to province. I'm about to apply for my extension based on marriage. Chiang Rai Immigration is fairly good and close by. I go and collect the required documents about a week before I go as they're constantly changing. One of the forms available online is different to the one they supply in the office. I always use the one they give. We've just changed address so let's see how it goes. 🤞

Thai government officials have no concept of the word logic.

They 're doing their job for background check. Did your wife married before. If yes make sure that she hasn't got married license on any umpur. Sometime people move to different province and forgot to dissolve.

When Neighbors/Witnesses Might Be Required

Marriage Extension for a 1-year extension based on marriage, some immigration offices (not all) may ask for witnesses to verify that you are actually living with your Thai spouse.

Irregular Situations if there is doubt about your address or legitimacy of residence, a "home visit" or neighbor confirmation might be requested by the officer

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New Local Rules there are reports of some offices requiring witnesses to sign the TM7 extension form.

Check Local Requirements Immigration requirements can vary significantly by province (e.g., Bangkok vs. Pattaya vs. rural areas).

If Asked for Witnesses if they ask for neighbors, they are typically looking for two local Thai people to verify you live there. Sometimes, this can be the landlord or someone else in the building.

Now why is the reason?

Blame all their expats who scummed the system and the marriage was broken and were not actually still in the genuine marriage.

That Immigration are getting tougher and tougher.

I normally say the it of it and let others find their own way.

The one I am waiting for is the Tax link to be extended for expats overall, they will implement something out of the blue.

Just like renting a condo from a foreigner now immigration require the owners tax file number with the visa application, because yep tax has to paid.

Get a retirement visa. It’s so much easier. In 5 years they’ve only visited my home once to check I was really where I claim to be.

Do someting positive about it , when u are sour they will be , let them look fwd to it for a trip and get e'm some good food .

Dont forget u can never choose your neighbour , keep well w them and at distans .

Thai witnessses

Once in 20 yrs

"2 witnesses." Never heard about that. What type of visa?

sadly yes, there are so many stupid and asshole foreigners, who abuse the marriage with Thai woman. Thai immigration officers look so suspicious when a foreigner married with a thai woman. I am sure that you are not one of them. But there are really many stupid foreigners in Thailand. This is sad but true.

I have been here 2 years so far on marriage visa and have never been required to have thai witnesses come to immigration. Have never been visited by immigration either.

Same every year

Lived there 20 years and it just got harder every few years.. One of the reasons I moved to Cambodia 😃

Never, they don't care.

Obviously not 50 yet.

Once you are the retirement extension is easier!!

Get an LTR. 10 years and no 90 day reporting - annual reporting

Have you been “under the radar?

I lived at the same address with my wife for 21 years, moved and still needed proof e.g. a witness that were still married. Pay an agent and all this goes away. It feeds corruption, nothing more.

Them's the rules. Even though I am married to a Thai lady I decided I would rather get a retirement visa than a marriage visa as I just go to immigration with the right documents and I'm finished in about 10 minutes (on a busy day). Yes you do need either 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank or meet the monthly income requirements but as I'm able to do that I prefer this way as it's so much less hassle.

You have to drive for a “hour” !! That’s terrible 😉

Fighting against Thai rules is a complete waste of energy. Ask me. Get the right visa and things get a lot easier

Only had that on the first home visit, since that just visa extension, pics, money monthly, map,letter from Amphur and that's it. Being here 6 years now.

Only time we've needed witnesses is when we've had Immigration visit us.

I'm curious what province? I didn't need to do that after the first time....

Same same FOREVER!

Sooo ridiculous!

Same effort same effect for me so far…

Nope

What's the benefit of a marriage visa

I know many foreigners who are older than 50 years, married to a Thai wife, who have been fed up with this kind of protocol, so they deposited a minimum of 800,000 THB in their bank account and get a "retirement extension" every year. No witnesses, no neighbour questioning, no maps drawing or photos of you and the wifey in the bedroom. Straightforward and easy. 20 minutes on the bank and 25 minutes on Immigration . . . . It seems you are not 50 years old, yet. So you will have to bite into the sour apple every year until you are eligible for the change of "reason" of the annually application to the extension of stay. Remember: Thailand is NOT a country where you can become a "resident" - even married to a Thai wife you will always only be a guest (unless you apply for the "Permanent Residency")

Nope, because they are following orders from up the chain. The people you deal with do not make the rules

Not likely. You are applying for a brand new extension every year, and must follow the same process as everyone else. It's often a point of complaint, but immigration's response would be "then use retirement extension."