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What options does my neighbor have to re-enter Thailand and extend his retirement visa after not obtaining a re-entry permit?

Retirement Visa Thai Visa Regulations Re-entry Permit Non-O Visa Visa Extension Immigration Procedures Expats in Thailand

Sep 23, 2025

2 months ago

Adam ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Good day folks. I have just had a call from my neighbour who is in a bit of a panic. He has lived here in Thailand for 20+ years on a retirement extension. He has been married to a Thai lady all this time but chose the retirement extension option over the married option to minimise paperwork.

Last month he went back to the UK for some medical tests and this procedure will run to the end of October, then he will return to Thailand.

Unfortunately he has made the schoolboy error of not getting a re-entry permit. The day he went to get it at immigration here in Hua Hin the place was closed for a holiday. It totally slipped his mind on departure at Suvarnabhumi so he now finds himself visa-less so to speak.

My question is ...... what does he need from the Thai Embassy in London so that he can kick-start the whole extension process when he gets back here at the end of October?

He still has his 800k in the bank here untouched for many years. He has no medical insurance in Thailand if that affects his options. I also suspect he will change to the married extension this time.

Thank you for your time.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A resident in Thailand for over 20 years, who holds a retirement visa, is facing issues since he forgot to obtain a re-entry permit before leaving for medical tests in the UK. Upon returning, he seeks guidance on what documents he needs from the Thai Embassy to help him restart his visa extension. Suggestions from community members include applying for a 90-day Non-O visa based on marriage or retirement upon his return, utilizing his funds in a Thai bank, and then applying for a 1-year extension. It is also noted that he should secure a re-entry permit in the future and consider not switching to a marriage-based visa due to potential complexities.

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Chris *******

Starting over.

He has 2 options.

The best is too apply for an evisa online non-o 90 day (NOT OA).

Enter on this visa and then apply for the 1yr extension and continue as before with yearly extensions.

2nd option enter visa exempt (tourist).

Apply in country for the 90 day non-o based on retirement and then apply for the 1yr extension.

All done in country.

The first option is simplest, saves a couple bucks and hassle, as you only need to apply for the 1yr extension.

Should be 1 trip to immigration.