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What are my options for obtaining a long-term visa in Thailand after medical emergencies and travel plans?

Thai visa optionsNon-O visaretirement visatourist visaborder runmedical visavisa exemptionexpat advice
Jul 2, 2018
6 years ago
Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
tod daniels suggested I do this and get comments on what my options are. I was first given tourist visa, I assume, at BKK until Feb 11, 2018, arriving Jan 14. at BKK and then on to Nong Khai. I had heart failure in 6 days and was in ICU Udon Thani for 9 days. My next stamp was until Mar 13. I don't know what kind of stamp it was as my life at that time was very upside down, I was totally confused since I was let go by my volunteer agency totally alone in Thailand without contacts, friends, just International ladies at Wattana hospital. I then had a medical visa (90) days until June 11. I then did a border bounce to Laos and am good until July 10, 2018. These are all the stamps I have in my Passport (USA). I was thinking of doing another border bounce on the 8th of July at Ventianne. I then have a vacation planned to Siem Reap, Cambodia 7/25-7/29. I am flying in to Siem Reap and out from there, both from and back to BKK. I want to stay long term in Thailand and have been looking at doing the retirement visa. I have all the necessary funds needed for this, no problem. Can I have the group's ideas on how I might proceed? Does the group need any more information from me? Any assistance is greatly appreciated in advance. JB
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TLDR : Answer Summary
User is seeking advice on how to proceed with securing long-term residency in Thailand after experiencing health issues and navigating various visa situations. They have had a series of visa stamps—from a tourist visa, medical visa, to considering a border bounce and retirement visa. Community suggestions include applying for a tourist visa extension and transitioning to a Non-O visa based on retirement eligibility. Users also express concerns about the medical care they received in Thailand and share personal experiences.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Tod *********
Why not go to a thai consulate and buy a single entry tourist visa, that would stamp you in for 60 days, and you could extend that by 30 days at the immigration office if you needed to. That way you are not under the gun time wise to get the paperwork and documentation so you can apply for a 90 day single entry Non-O visa based on being over 50 (retirement) at the immigration office.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
OK, that sounds good. That is what I ultimately want to do. What you said. Retirement visa. Thanks very much, Tod. You are always very helpful. Best.
@J*
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
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Tod *********
@Jackie *****
, so how many 30 day visa exempt entries by LAND do you have in your passport right now? You can only get two 30 day visa exempt entries by land in a calendar year
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Jackie *****
 then you did not hit the limit of TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by land in a calendar year and if you need to
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 so just 1.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 sorry, first one was by air. only laos was border entry by land. DUH!!!
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
just initial stamp coming in and once coming in from laos.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Jackie *****
, I read your story, but all I need is for you to tell me how many 30 day visa exempt entry stamps you got entering the country by a land border. You'd know tht because you would have had to stamp in and out of another country then stamp back into thailand
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
well, I have my original tourist entry visa at BKK. then I have 2 stamps right close to each other. one says Feb 8 and the other says Feb 11 and I don't know what they are or why they are 3 days apart. remember my life was completely topsy turvy at that time. I was under strict doctors orders to not walk more than 100 feet. Then there is a stamp until March 13, again, sort of confused about what that one was since I think I was supposed to get a medical 90 days (I had letter from doctor) but only stamped me in until Mar 13. The next one is stamped until June 11, which is definitely a medical visa since when I went to get that updated they told me at immigration I had to either have another medical or I had to go to Nong Khai and sign back in through Laos. I have that one until July 10. Sorry I seem sort of brain dead, but the first ones definitely I was very out of it with the heart failure and being hospitalized and then hospitalized again for back issues that left me in ICU again. I did not even get the medical myself. International ladies went to immigration for me and got it done cause I did not go. So, does this make any sense, at all?
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
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Herman ********
If you have at least 12 days left on your visa excemption, you can apply in the immigration office of the place where you live, for a non o in thailand. This allows you to stay 3 months. At the beginning of the 3rd month you can apply for a retirement extension of one year. One of the easiest extension here.
6 years ago
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Herman ********
@Tod ********
 recently changed, before is was 21 . No idea about Chang mai,
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Herman *******
, not every immigration office will issue Non-Immigrant visas inside the country and the least amount of time I've heard someone need would be 15 days left on their current visa exempt entry, tourist visa entry or a 30 day extension on them. I don't know any office that does it with 12 days remaining and in fact chiang mai requires 21 days left to do it.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks herman. i am flying to Cambodia.
6 years ago
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Herman ********
@Jackie *****
 if you do your border run to Vientianne it wikk the last bordercrossing this year by land. I suppose you fly to siem rap, in tgat case you can do if after your return, if you cross the border with Cambodia by land, you need to appky for your non b before travelling
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
thanks Herman. I can do this in Udon Thani after I get my next border jump. or should I wait until I get back from Cambodia?
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
no, not helpful at all. I was taken care of very well here in thailand. very well as i have had 2 previous failures in the US and the US doctors cleared me to come to thailand. I will be starting a suit about that, so I don't have any more confidence in america than I do here. i received excellent treatment and continue to do so. and for about 5% of the price. so if you have something to offer about my original query, please do, but my medical plans are taken care of just fine.
@J*
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
yes, I know the seriousness of it. Like I said, and mine is even more serious as I have had 3. My EF is 30, not very good. I have damage, this is true. but i was treated in america at one of the best hospitals in the us and I find the treatment i received here quite comparable. and happy for it. besides, my doctor here would not let me fly for 90 days, at a minimum. and I watched her very closely as I am a very involved patient. she was very very good and I felt in good hands. If I had thought I wasn't, I would have gone home regardless of her concerns about flying. but I am very satisfied with the medical care for the heart failure care, and compressed spinal column care. If I came across as terse, did not mean that, at all. I am very matter of fact. In fact, I was concerned my doctor would find my constant questioning a problem, here in thailand considering thai ways. but she took the time I wanted and answered all my questions. OK? and I will most likely get rid of Medicare (coverage in the US) and am looking into international insurance. have a few choices I need to make in the next month or so. I have just been paying out of pocket, for now.
6 years ago
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James ********
@Jackie *****
 hope you are better now. But heart failure issues are serious. I agree with you that excellent medical care is available in Thailand. As a 12+ year retiree in Thailand I have had fine doctors and care. Thankfully I have a health insurance plan from the company I retired from which covers me in USA and internationally.
6 years ago
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Jackie ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
 Not helpful at all James. I had heart failure, as I stated, almost 6 months ago. Obviously I am OK. Sorry you saw it that way.
6 years ago
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James ********
A terse reply to a fellow poster giving helpful advice...IMHO. Good Luck!
6 years ago
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James ********
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Dustin *******
If you had heart failure, why not head back to the US first? Figure out Thailand later when your health isn’t in any danger.

I know this probably isnt the answer you want, but with a major medical emergency like that and having no contacts or employment here, I personally would want to head home first since you cannot live in Thailand dead.
6 years ago
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Dustin *******
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