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How can a US citizen extend their 30-day visa exemption while residing near Samrong BTS in Thailand?

Jun 4, 2018
8 years ago
Cecilia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello I am on a 30 day visa exemption status and am a us citizen. I am near Samrong bts. What is closest office to apply for a visa to stay 30 more days? Can I use a credit card for the 1900 baht fee? Can I open a bank account while on a tourist visa status?Thank you in advance for your help?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is a US citizen on a 30-day visa exemption and inquires about extending their stay for an additional 30 days, specifically asking about the nearest immigration office, payment methods for the visa extension fee, and the possibility of opening a bank account while on a tourist visa. Responses indicate that the user should visit the immigration office in Samut Prakan but might also opt for Chaengwattana, where the process may be simpler. They must provide proof of address in Samut Prakan and pay the extension fee in cash. Additionally, it's possible to open a bank account with a letter from their embassy.
Cecilia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
So I went to the office in Samut Prakan... they said I should have notified their office within 24 hours of my arrival. They requested that I have my landlord fill out a Notification form for House Master, a photocopy of the House Masters id, photocopy of rental agreement, in case of authorization House master must provide an authorization letter, plus the usual Immigration form No 30, passport copy, photos etc...
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Thomas ********************
Happy trails :)
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Cecilia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I decided to go to Hong Kong or Cambodia and get a 60 day tourist visa and eventually come back. Nice to have the freedom to do that!
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Thomas ********************
Good. Not too far off with "a few extra thou's" then :)
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Thomas ********************
Not sure how it works, but I think there's a fair chance you'll be fined when you process your application. I forget the amount (hopefully someone here can enlighten). But make sure you have a few extra thousand with you.
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Cecilia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
No not at all. The gentleman was really friendly.
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Tod *********
Yep, Samut Prakan is pretty set about you or your land lord having filed a TM.30 to use that office for extensions.
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Robert *******
Did you also get fined?
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Thomas ********************
That sounds really annoying. Thanks for updating.
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Thomas ********************
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Tod *********
You use the immigration office that serves the area where you are staying. I'd say IF you're in Samut Prakan you need to use that immigration office OR if you use the Bangkok immigration office (at the government complex on Chaengwattana Road) you need to use a bangkok address.
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Patricia **********
F
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Luke ******
Right well Samrong BTS is not in Bangkok. It's in Samut Prakan.

Should you choose to extend at Chaengwatthana, you need to declare a Bangkok address.

Should you choose to extend at Samut Prakan, proof of address may be required, but maybe
@Tod ********
can weigh in on this.
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Luke ******
Then to answer your original question, Samut Prakan is the office you should go to, since you live in Samut Prakan. Your proof of address should be sufficient (if that's even needed -it may be, i did actually search the web but cannot find a conclusive answer). But logically, should it be required, it would not have to cover the full 30 days, since you are planning to exit anyway, so it should be accepted.

If you encounter any issues with Samut Prakan, which I don't think you will, use Chaengwatthana as a second option, but be aware you need to put down on the application form a Bangkok address, could be anything, a hotel, a friend's, etc. You do not need to supply any proof for this address at Chaengwatthana. Just do not complete a Samut Prakan address at Chaengwatthana if you end up going there, because they will send you to Samut Prakan.
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Cecilia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have proof of address in Samat Prakan but only until the 11th June... then heading elsewhere. I hesitate to pay for housing until I get the visa
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Thomas ********************
I seem to recall them being less user friendly than CW.
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Luke ******
Technically, you should extend in Samut Prakan. Practically, some people would go Chaengwatthana because they require nothing else but the form, pic and money. But they would write down some Bangkok address on the form. Just not sure if Samut Prakan requires proof of address, frankly I am lazy to search ThaiVisa for this now, the OP could do this as well.
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Thomas ********************
Oh! Damn. Good point.
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Thomas ********************
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Thomas ********************
You want to get a 30 day extension, right?

You can go to immigration at Chaengwatta (CW). Or you can make an appointment at Bumrungrad hospital to go the following Saturday morning. The latter option cost a bit more. Cash only at CW. Not sure about the hospital.
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Gordon **********
1900 Baht has to be paid in cash. You won't get funds towards your dental work.
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Thomas ********************
I used the danish embassy and, I think it was somewhere between 1 and 2 k baht. Probably different in other embassies.
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Cecilia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Thomas *******************
what is the cost for a letter from the embassy? Thanks in advance for your help!!!
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Thomas ********************
You can indeed. I got a "letter of reference" from my embassy. Really made it easier. Used Bangkok Bank at EmQuartier (Phrom Pong bts).
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Cecilia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sorry maybe I was not clear. Can I open a bank account on a tourist visa status?
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Cecilia *******
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