I have read all the comments here. This is my personal experience. I applied for my Non O in Nov 2019 and got my retiree visa in Feb 2020. I had also taken multiple re-entry. Unfortunately, Covid struck so i could leave to go anywhere. But in Feb 2021 I renewed and still took multiple entry. Again, i could not travel out of Thailand. Come Feb 2022, I renewed and again too multiple entry and i flew out in July and again in August (made a trip to Canada). On my return to Canada I went to the immigration office just to double check. The man at the counter told me i had overstayed (even though I told him i had just returned 2 days back) but he insisted i had overstayed and the fine was 2000 baht but he would charge me only 1000 baht. I had to run out and away to find an atm and return with 1000 baht. To my good fortune the man was busy and a lady asked me to give her my passport. I handed it over with the 1000 baht and explained to her what had happened with the other man. She said something to him in Thai. Then she looked my my passport and told me that i don't pay any fine because i left before the 90 days was over and so my 90 days only begins from the day I returned. I told her why that man asked me for 1000 baht. She said he it's ok and just forget it and return before the 90 days is over. I would like to add two things. Please don't consider 90 days as 3 months. 90 days means 90 days. However, they do give you a grace period of 7 days after the 90 days. But i have never waited for that bonus (because in Thailand you never know when the law can change at the drop of a hat). Secondly, It is only 4000 baht for a multiple entry visa so in my case i prefer not to scrounge and do per entry for the simple reason that i may have an emergency and have to leave immediately and may not have time go to go to the immigration to apply for a re-entry. I will mean that my retiree visa will get cancelled and i will only get a normal 30 days entry as regular service (presently it's 45 days but only till March 2023). I have made only 2 trips out of Thailand. But should i make a short trip to nearby ASEAN countries it would be useful even if i made more than 4 trips in a year. There is no need for me to report when i return nor take the TM30 form. When I first came to this Province and did my first 90 reporting, I was given a paper with my residence details and some other details and they stapled it in my passport and told me when i go for my 90 days reporting i just show them that paper. Now almost 2 years in this Province and not a problem at all and i finish in under 10 minutes after paying the fee of 60 baht. for the previous years reporting my agent was charging me 500 baht to do my reporting. I hope this is helpful though it's long reading. You can understand why I did not name my Province. I don't want to cast aspirations on that employee who tried to take 1000 baht from me.

alternatively, you can do the Savannakhet, Laos crossing. from Muktidahan

Phil Jones I totally agree. I was on a flight returning from Toronto to BKK. I had a 10.5 hours layover at HK airport. imagine me wearing my ask all through my flight from Toronto to HK, then 10.5 hours at the airport and finally another 3 hours flight to BKK and time to get out of the airport and transport back home in another Province. Keeping that mask on for soooooo long. It was suffocating.

@Iris **********

most welcome

@Paul *******

Wowwww amazing.

If you are travelling South to Hua Hin then also do try Koh Phangnan, Koh Samui, Krabi in order of choice.

i am Canadian too and now living in Thailand since little over 3 years. Last year I spent Christmas day in a place called Pai in Mae Hong Son Provice. If you make a trip to Chiang Mai then from the bus terminal Arcade 2 you can take a van to Pai or Mae Hong Son Mueng (this is the actual Mae Hong Son City. I was confused with the same name for the Province and the city so i only visited Pai. But i would recommend you visit Mae Hong Son City too. I was shocked that the prices were not hiked coz I met a travelling buddy who booked into the same place i was staying in on the day we arrived Dec 24 evening and he paid less for his room than what I paid by booking in advance online. It can be nippy early morning for the sunrise excursion and late evening for the sunset....two different points. Be careful at the sunset point it is very dangerous in some places. The night market at Pai was marvelous if you are adventurous to try the local cuisine. Prices are so cheap compared to Canada OMG. Returning to Chiang Mai you can visit Doi Tung Palace and Mae Fah Luang Garden. You will not regret your trip there. You can take a van or hire a private car. if you leave early it can be a day trip morning to evening and then back to your comfortable hotel at night. If you want to experience a train journey then I suggest taking a overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. You can book a cabin for a couple and it would cost you about 2500 Thai baht (about C$120) for both of you. The cabin sleeps 2. They provide sheets, blankets, pillow (all fresh and laundered). You could take a day train if you want to see more of the country enroute. You don't need a cabin for that and can just take a first class or second class AC chair. The weather can get pretty cool/cold when travelling to Northern Thailand during winter..... especially December. If you want to know anything more do let me know. you can message me separately if you so desire. All the best. for sheer experience you can even travel by train from Bangkok to Malaysia and even down to Singapore but I wouldn't advise it because it's too long a journey and you have to change trains too. Flights are far quicker and almost the same as the price of a train ticket.

and that too for initially 45 days instead of 30

I too always trusted Agoda till i made my trip to Pai in Mae Hong Son for Christmas last year. I paid a bomb through Agoda that showed prices at 65% discount. A last minute travel buddy paid much less at the hotel. I asked the hotel owner how come????? She explained that all these travel websites hike up the actual rate and then show huge discounts and finally charge us much more that the actual price of a walk in. The only problem is as a last minute walk in and that too on Christmas day one may find themselves without any accommodation available. So from now I first check directly with the hotel and then compare if sites like Agoda etc are giving better prices before I book

@Mitchell ******

I agree and i have taken Eva umpteen times to the extent that even my Travel Agency in Canada has booked me on flights with Eva. And the journey is smooth without any ruffles.