I’ve often put forward the idea that every office should have the actual documentary requirements for renewing or extending each class of visa printed and on display
But there is no money to be made from that
It’s actually cheaper and quicker for me as a UK National to fly out to Malaysia and return with a 30 day Visa on arrival than spend a day at Bangkok immigration getting a 30 day extension to a visa I already have
But as always in Thailand the interpretation is usually very
different
I have the good fortune to have many choices of visa, 10 years married , Pension Income or just Retirement , but unfortunately have to deal with immigration in Bangkok as that’s where our home is
We always seem to have issues at renewal time because I don’t reside there permanently some years,
extra documentation , or change of address because we stayed in a hotel in Jomtien for a month or some other lame reason to refuse on the day
Contrast that to the ease with which my Wife is allowed back to our UK home with me
Fill out the form on line , visit Trendy Building for VFS interview and a 6 month Visa arrives at our Bangkok home affixed to her Thai passport
The whole Immigration thing is borderline corrupt as they want you to use and pay for an agent
It really sure why you would bother, just go for a basic Visa
The rules change for ex pats all the time
In a Country where whether you get a renewal of any visa you have depends on which side of the bed , or mood the Immigration Officer is in at the time
Does any of this really matter
I’ve often thought that if you would just sent whatever money you spend in Thailand including the Air fare they would be happy if you never came at all