@Tod ********

yes, I already had my 1 year extension based on retirement and Chiang Mai as well yourself had recommended that course of action. Should have gone to Savannakhet, maybe a different outcome. Vientiane is a no no.

@Lee ******

there is a lot of contradictory info about these Non O for trailing spouses. We did what Chiang Mai immigration had suggested. Upon return to Chiang Mai, immigration suggested we try to get the trailing spouse Non O in another country such as Cambodia or Malaysia

please note that the Thai embassy in Vientiane refused to give a Non O for my wife, 2-3 weeks ago. Instead they gave a TR tourist visa which is not what we wanted.

Hi Tod, allow me to pick your brain again please. I would like to know if going to Chiang Kong, Laos for a border bounce, if I need to get a Laos visa if I am to turn back into Thailand immediately with the fresh visa exempt 30 days entry.

@Tod ********

Thank you so much. Clear and precise advice.

@Tod ********

Thank you Tod. Your advice makes sense. I trust your expertise. One more consideration please. My wife, Burmese, can enter the kingdom on a 15 days visa waiver as a citizen of ASEAN. At the moment, she still has until the end of July on her COVID extension. Would you recommend she travels with me to Chiang Kong and get a new tourist visa or better stay in Chiang Mai and take it from step 3 of your advice ?

following

I do not recommend the Special Tourist Visa(STV) as it is impossible to change into any other visa while in Thailand. Yes, it has a maximum validity of 9 months but after that ? What if you like to stay longer, find a job and need a working permit ? I have been trapped with this visa and until land borders open up and going out the country and back is easy, the Covid extension helps but it's a roulette, source of much anxiety. And buy a printer-photocopier, you will make a lot of copies.

good question

@Robert ******

Thank you 🙏