How can I change my retirement visa to a tourist visa for shorter stays in Thailand?

Question

I am facing following situation: I have been on a retirement visa for a few years but want to change it as I will only be in Thailand for a few months per year. I have tried to get the DTV visa which has not yet been approved.
Now I am planning to leave on Jan 8, 2025 and come back 2 days later on a tourist visa which will hopefully grant me a 60 days stay. I am planning then to extent for another 30 days.
I am leaving for Germany around the 28th March but had planned to go to Japan within this 30 days extension time (around 15-25 March).
Or should I not get an extension at all, do a 5 day overstay, pay and come back 10 days on another normal tourist visa before I go to Germany until October.
Is this at all possible?

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user is transitioning from a retirement visa to a tourist visa while planning multiple trips out of Thailand. They seek advice on the feasibility of obtaining a tourist visa, extensions, and the implications of overstaying. Community members strongly advise against planning to overstay, recommending instead to utilize visa-exempt entries and extensions for tourist stays, and encouraging having flight tickets ready for immigration checks. Options such as a multiple reentry permit on the retirement visa were also suggested.

Chad ********* · Answer

You say you're on a retirement visa. When does it expire?  A multiple reentry permit could let you continue to leave/enter Thailand until the retirement visa expires.  Just an idea before you leave and invalidate what maybe a lot of time still remaining on your retirement visa...

Nick ********** · Answer

Let it expire,then use 60day exempt+30 ext..do it twice that just under 6months for 3800bt.until you decide on

visa type

David *********** · Answer

[mention redacted] . As per advice, never  overstay if at all possible. Im here on a 60 day exempt plus 30 day extension then short holiday in malaysia then back on 60 day visa exempt again plus 30 day extension effectively gives 6 months which sounds like thats enough for you. Youll need to book a ticket out within each 60 day period to satisfy immigration but thats about 15 euro for a throw away ticket. Doesnt have to be a flight out, immigration were happy with a ferry ticket

Lisa ********* · Answer

Thank you!

Ellie ******* · Answer

Just FYI,

Overstay fine for 5 days is 2,500 baht.

Extension fee is 1,900 baht.

James ******** · Answer

NEVER PLAN TO BE ON OVERSTAY...PERIOD 🩸

You will 🚫 NOT be on a TOURIST VISA..

You can get a NEW 60 days on arrival into Thailand EACH time as VISA EXEMPT ENTRY.

And that can be extended for ADDED 30 days at your local Thai Immigration office for 1900 Thai baht.

Since you are leaving Thailand and returning again, be sure to have your flight ✈️ tickets for your departing Thailand each time to show Thai Immigration Officers if asked.

Enjoy your trips and Safe travels.

How can I change my retirement visa to a tourist visa for shorter stays in Thailand?

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