@Tod ********

Tod,the yellow book. My wife arranged it for a number of reasons. 1. It allows one to live in the house for life. 2. It is easy to do. 3. If my children should inherit the house,presumably they will not " kick dad out" but the Usufruct is structured so they cannot.

4. It's not done to get a TM 30 ,although one can get the TM 30 at Immigration...It's done with non Thais who have Thai spouses who are the ones who obviously own the Thai property. It provides the non Thai spouse a legal right to live in the abode even in the event of a divorce. 5. It is done by many knowledgable individuals who are in the above no. 4 category. 6. If a non Thai is in the above no. 4 category and the marriage is dissolved by divorce she or he will be looking for another abode to live in without a Usufruct . 7. The Usufruct is obviously in effect long before one gets a TM 30. 8. I find it nice to have. If my wife is in Europe and I arrive back here with a new visa she doesn't have to be present to obtain the initial TM 30. I can do it since I am the " house holder".

David Broadfoot I realize that. What if you your self want to do the first one ? That's where the Usufruct comes in handy. You are listed along with the Thai owner in the house registration. If someone stays with you then you can take care of their TM 30 also.

Tony,have you considered a Usufruct ? Allows you legal right to stay in the house. You can save a trip for your wife and do it yourself.

For those who are not Thai and have a Thai spouse owning the house where you stay it can be a issue if your Thai spouse happens to be away when you arrive back and need a new TM 30.

Many are unaware that Thailand allows usufructs. This allows the non Thai spouse to be named in the owner house registration book.

Then all one does is bring the house registration with copy,one's passport with appropriate copies of required pages to Immigration to receive a new TM 30,

@Kurt *******

Couldn't see the sovereign state name. A lot more countries are issuing multi size passports these days. Splendid for those who travel a lot.

Agree with the comments already posted ; the first impression was not legible and was void without prejudice to replace it with one that is legible.

Inadvertently you " lost" the use of a page in your passport. If your native country issues passports of different size you might want to consider one with more pages if you travel a lot.

@Tod ********

I spoke to them in Chicago last year. All one has to do is write a short one sentence letter telling them that they're retired and have it notarized. At least as of last year.

I was applying for my yearly non immigrant O based on Thai family in Thailand and the always helpful staff suggested that I could apply for a non immigrant O-A visa based on being over age 50 and based just on the few documents he had and telling him that I was healthy and had no criminal record he said that with virtual certainty I'd be issued one. I'd have to of cause supply all the required documentation including a one sentence letter saying I was retired. Mai pen rai. No big deal. I've been dealing with this Consulate since the early 1990's. They've always been friendly,informative and efficient. If one meets the requirements of an O-A visa I'm certain this consulate would not deny one from receiving it. Why they require the extra letter is beyond me. It might be an informal screen to be certain that the individual doesn't intend to work in Thailand.

Just a letter written by yourself saying your retired.All that's needed.

Colin Bottoms Chicago is a Thai Consulate that offers excellent service by a really great staff. My experience dates to the last century. Always courteous,helpful and expedient.

True. Also,many of us in professions and self employed our entire lives never consider ourselves retired. It's all about dealing with bureaucracy. Fill out a form and make them happy.