What are the requirements for maintaining a retirement visa in Chiang Mai after returning from abroad?

October 11, 2022
2 years ago
Jae *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Apologies if these points are covered elsewhere and thanks in advance for any useful replies:

1) having returned to chiang mai after months out of the country, on a retirement visa (UK citizen), is it still necessary to update my TM30?

2) do I (also) need to complete a TM8 re entry permit?

3) retirement visa expires in January - when is the earliest I can extend it? How long before I apply do I need to have the 800,000thb sitting in my thai bank account?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, a UK citizen with a retirement visa, inquired about necessary actions upon returning to Chiang Mai after being abroad. Key points discussed included the requirement to submit a TM30 form to inform immigration of their return, the necessity of a TM8 form for notifying immigration about re-entering Thailand, and the rules surrounding extending their retirement visa, specifically about when to apply and maintaining the required bank balance.
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James ********
Hopefully you have not ALLOWED the Thai bank account balance to fall below 400,000 during the current extension year.
Jae *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
Thanks for the reminder. I checked my account and fortunately, fortuitously and thankfully I kept my balance above 400,000 throughout.
Jae *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Many thanks. 2) sorry TM8 isn't a re entry permit. It's notifying immigration of my having re entered the kingdom, as I understand it. Don't think I've filled one in before.
Ellie *******
@Jae ****
, TM.8 is for a re-entry permit. You may mean TM28. Anyway, haven't heard they require you to submit it in CM.
Ellie *******
1) in Chaing Mai, yes. there were reports they were required to submit TM30 after coming back from abroad to the same address.

2) If you want to travel outside Thailand, you must have a valid re-entry permit before you leave. If you don't have a plan to go out of Thailand until your current extension finishes, you don't need a re-entry permit.

3) In Chiang Mai, they accept your next 1-year extension application when you have 45 days or less with your current extension. You need to have your full funds of 800,000 THB in your bank for 2 months as of the application date. And you need to keep it until three months pass after your new extension starts.

Here is general information for retirement extension. Get a handout (or photocopy) of the latest requirements at CM before you go really apply for your next 1-year extension.
Jae *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
I was just told by the TM30 staff in CM immigration that, with my re entry stamp, no TM30 update is needed. Hurrah, some common sense in the proceedings!
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