I am currently on an extension of stay (initially a non-B visa) based on my work permit (BOI). My job will end in late June, and my employer will cancel my work permit at that time. Then I change to a non-O retirement visa (CW, Bangkok).

I seems that some people managed to change their extension from work to retirement. So, I contacted immigration via email and received confirmation that this change is possible. They even sent me the application forms.

Knowing that time is critical once my work permit is canceled, I completed the forms and visited the immigration office today to ensure my documents were in order. However, the officer at the non-O retirement counter informed me that the extension cannot be converted. I have to leave the country, return as a tourist, and then apply for a new non-O retirement visa.

Well, that's not the news I was hoping for, but probably no choice. I wanted to check with the group: has anyone else experienced this? Did you have to leave the country, or were you able to convert a work extension to a retirement extension in the country?

I am coming upon the time to do my first non-O extension based upon retirement. I’m in Bangkok. I would like to check something.

I seem to recall reading that the bank book update and letter from the bank needs to be either from the day before or the day one goes to immigration. I’m hoping it’s the day before, so I can go first thing in the morning. I’m not finding documentation about this online. Can anyone with experience share?

New tax rules for expats living in Thailand.

I'd like some correct advice regarding the new tax rules implemented from Jan 1st 2024.

I believe if you spend more than 180 days in any one year in Thailand, any money you have transferred or deposit into your Thai bank account is classed as taxable income.? Also, if you have a Thai bank account and transfer, or deposit monies into it, in any one year, but do NOT spend more than 179 days in Thailand, that money is not taxable. Also if you deposit monies into your account in a year that you don't spend more than 180 days in Thailand, but the next year you stay the full year, does the money that you deposited the previous year, then become taxable? I have read that if you have income of 150,000 baht a year, this is not taxable, but if you have say 400,000baht a year income, do you pay tax on all of it, or is 150,000 baht tax threshold and anything above that you pay tax on, for example 400,000 - 150,000 = 250,000, is that the amount you would be liable to pay tax on.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

A question under the 'everything else' category.

Is it possible to buy a second hand pick up and register ownership in my name when I do not have a driving license.

I will be on a one year retirement visa extension and I have a yellow house book and pink ID card.

Thank you in advance for any replies.

yes I've searched the archives and they quickly age and become less relevant. Same old question re: bank account opening and or finding an affordable agent. I got one quote from agent to get visa for 70000 baht, which isn't going to happen. I've been in Thailand about two months and have received an extension on my 30 day and bounced to vietnam coming back New Years eve.

72 year old usa male, retired with 800k to burn..

Hi, i got a company in Bangkok and 3 monthes ago i remove myself from the payroll as the company is going to close soon. My accountant insure me that it was not a problem asI have a working permit expiring on 1st of july and my visa is expiring on 31 of October 2023.

As i want to do a retirement visa and my working permit is expiring soon i went to the Ministry of Labour to cancel my working permit first then my visa as it should be the way.

When i arrive to the ministry of Labour they told me to first cancel my visa so i went to the immigration to cancel my visa but they told me that as i remove myself from the payroll 3 monthes ago my visa was automatically cancelled and they told me they are going to blacklist me and that i cannot go back to Thailand. However during theses past monthes i ve travelled outside the country and back many times and i never had any problem at the airport immigration.

After discussing with my accountant they told me that i need to leave the country today or i will be blacklisted. Then when i come back to Thailand ask to the immigration to “not stamp on the re-entry” if i want to make a retirement visa. Then go back to the immigration and cancel my previous visa then pay a fine of 20 000 for overstay.

So now i’m outside Thailand without having cancelled my working permit which expires on 1 st of july and my non B visa not cancelled as well

Any possible way to arrange this situation without going through the fine? Did they tried to to scam me with this overstay? As i could leave and back many times during theses past monthes?

Joost Arxhoek

how would this work for somebody working in Thailand and retiring, ie switching from a non B to a non O extension based on retirement.

I have a particular question about what happens in the weeks after applying for non-O based on retirement.

Context: I will self-apply for a 90day non-O based on retirement in Jomtien, and ~2 months later for a 1year extension. I will be using the 800k in bank method.

I will apply in early August, and then plan taking a 30+ days trip through Thailand. My understanding is; that I will be getting an ‘under consideration’ stamp in my passport on the day of the application.

My questions are:

- Will I get my passport back on the day of the application, or will it stay with immigration during the ‘under consideration’ period?

- How long is the ‘under consideration’ period?

- Do I need to be back at Jomtien immigration on a specific date (eg. 14 days later), or can I immediately start my trip and return to Jomtien immigration at a later time, say 45days after the initial application for the 90day non-O. I will be staying in Thailand for the entire period.

- Will there be any 90day reporting requirements?

Thanks for helping!

Has anyone arrived with an evisa into BKK and enlighten me on what the procedure is when you arrive. It says print off the confirmation email but do you need to print off any of the supporting documents.

In addition what was actually put into your passport as the visa. Is it stamp or do they apply the visa sticker. I applied for a Non O based on retirement.

Just back from Immigration in Chiang Rai to extend another 60 days. They were not at all happy to see me again and told me and another American to "go home," and "This is the last time." I told the guy at the door and the lady who took my forms at the service window that 3k Americans are still dying every day, but they were unmoved. I have to report again on Feb. 11th, and we’ll see if their stance has softened with the more contagious strains, but I rather doubt it. Anyone have ideas on an Asian country to go to next? I think I'll ask on the Cambodian visa group whether anyone's successfully gotten their $3k deposit back and take a hard look at whether that'd be better than returning to the U.S. It's been nice to be here over winter w/ hardly any other foreigners, but leaving in the middle of the coming hot/polluted season might not be the worst thing, if it's to another "safe" country that's handled Covid well.