@Sisca *********

, you can start process when you enter on visa-exempt as long as you can meet all requirements in time.

you will get this kind of stamp on the day you apply for a 30-day tourism extension. "Up to" date is 30 days after your entry stamp.

When you apply for a tourism extension, the Chiang Mai office gives you the extension stamp with a new "extension of stay permitted until xxx" date on the spot on the same day.

You just present your passport at passport control when you leave Thailand. Officers at passport control can see this extension stamp on your passport.

Just make up a possible itinerary to fill out the TM8 re-entry permit application form. You can change your travel plan anytime. a re-entry permit is valid until the same date as your current extension anyway.

@Stuart ********

, could be under some conditions. One of my friends got multiple re-entry permit at the airport in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi). Not super recently, but I think it was last year.

Q1- Do you have to be 50 years old to apply for the initial Non O Visa or just to apply for the extension?

-> You need to be 50 years old as of the application date for the initial Non-O visa based on retirement.

Q2- Lenght of stay

So is it 90 days (original visa) + 1 year (extension) from the entrance date in Thai OR 1 year (if you get the extension) from the entrance date in Thai?

-> You will be stamped in for 90 days starting on arrival day. You will apply for a 1-year extension before this first 90-day is up. Once the extension application is approved, 1 year (12 months) of extension is added to your stamp.

Q3- Renewal

This is what i don’t understand: so once you finish your legal length of stay…you just apply for a new extension of the original Non O visa over and over again year after year? With no limit?

-> You apply for a new 1-year extension every time before your stamp expires. No limit as long as you meet the requirements.

Q4 - Re entry permit

So you first apply (and obtain) the Non O Visa and then ask for a re entry permit at the airport every time you want to leave right?

-> Re-entry permit has two types, single re-entry or multiple re-entry. Both would be the same expiry date as your latest permitted-to-stay (entry or extension) stamp.

If you travel often, you can get multiple re-entry permit once for unlimited travel for the whole extension period.

Re-entry permit application can be done at the local immigration office anytime or at the international airport when you travel out from Thailand.

the rule is, "nationals entitled to a 30-days visa exemption are eligible to enter Thailand without visa through land border checkpoints only twice a calendar year."

Entering Thailand on another scheme including using an actual visa doesn't count.

You can enter Thailand with Non-O through land borders as many times as you want.

@Anneline *********

, You enter Thailand on visa-exempt scheme, not tourist visa, when you don't apply for Single/Multiple Entry Tourist Visa in advance to your travel. You will be stamped for 30 days without visa or pay a fee at the entry point. It is still eligible for 30 days tourism extension as Tod mentioned. You can to border bounce (go and back to neighbouring country) at the end of your stamp to enter on visa-exempt again. Or you can go to the Thai embassy in one of neighbouring country to apply for a Single Entry Tourist Visa. All up to your decision.

@John ******

, you may be able to book if you try in early morning as Tod posted. For example, there was available on 11 July until around 11 am today. 10 July was booked before 8 am yesterday.

The Chiang Mai office gives your passport back on the day of your application.

As you are applying for an extension based on marriage, you would get under-consideration stamp. You will go back to the office to get the stamp for the rest of 1-year on the day on the U/C stamp.

You will keep your passport during U/C.