@Ellie ******

, thank you. Must I apply for 30 day tourism extension or can I just apply for the non O ? I still have over a month left of my tourist visa.

@John *********

well you’re correct about that. It’s actually a much longer story than that. But briefly so others don’t misstep…. While living in Cha Am after returning from China, I used a lawyer to help me get started back up again. They got me my 90 day non o and then converted to 1 year retirement. Went and did all my 90 day reports. Then bought a new house in Bangkok. Went to CW, did my TM 30 no problems. Then went to renew 1 year extension. PROBLEM. CW told me that they don’t have my retirement visa in the computer, they looked at my visa in my passport, then passed me up to the supervisor. Supervisor informed me that it was a real visa , but someone must have forgot to enter it into the system in Phetchaburi. I’m not going to say more about that !! Anyways supervisor was cool, told me to go out and back in with the tourist visa and then change it here. I did have some difficulty returning through immigration at Don Mueang. But eventually sorted out.

So everyone be cautious using lawyers or agencies. Vet them as well as you can before using them. I’ve been in Thailand 20 years now and never had any problems doing my visa stuff myself. The one time I was to lazy to do it cost me

Unfortunately, it looks like I have to wait until I get there to get the TM.86 as I get this when downloading. TM.7 is fine

@John *********

, ok no problem, got it all then. Cheang Wattana is the immigration office that told me the easiest way was to go out, get a tourist visa and then change ( convert ) it to a non o.

@Ellie ******

I went to Penang and got the 60 day Tourist visa from the Thai consulate

Bought a new place a few months back. No problems at all. Bought it as an investment for my half Thai / half American daughter. Everything was quick and simple

@John *********

yes, the law office is working a scam and the local immigration office is taking their cut.

Judas Priest ! Getting a common sense answer from this group can be good or a complete pain in the ass ! To many pricks in here.

Best info I got was that there is a casino there

@Ron ******

as immigration said, I’ll just get a tourist visa and change it when I get back here. I know, sounds SUPER difficult

@Garrett **********

that’s pretty amazing, I am from the US and haven’t been back there in over 20 years never renewed any visa or extension at all