I went to CM Immigration recently.. with the same dilemma after returning from an overseas trip.. they told me that it WAS necessary to file a new TM30 even though i was returning to the same address after only a 2-week break.. though they did not complete any new forms or take any payment.. they simply updated the computer and tippex/ed out the date on my existing acknowledgement slip.. then wrote the new date on it.. was in the office (aka cabin in rear car park) all of 5 minutes!

Bangkok bank in Chiang Mai allowed me to open a bank account whilst i was on a 30-day extension of my visa-exempt stamp.. but was subject to providing a 'permission letter' from immigration.. which effectively confirmed my residence.. though strangely​ the first branch i tried insisted you had 30-days unexpired on your passport stamp.. but was 2nd time lucky!

When we went to the local Amphur (staying in CM) to register as a 'resident' in the district.. they indicated that they would need to retain the original translated and stamped marriage certificate that we presented.. having used an agent and incurred significant expense to obtain this document i was not happy of course.. and offered them a copy i had prepared in advance for their purposes.. they initially refused this and insisted upon keeping the original.. stating i could 'borrow' back my document if the need should arise to file it elsewhere.. ludicrous imo.. so i asked them to indemnify me for the cost of engaging an agent to provide me with a duplicate in the event that they mislay (aka lose) my document and cannot return it upon making such a request.. in short i kicked up a huge fuss surrounding the cost and the fact that i needed it to apply for my Non-Immigrant O-Visa.. as well as to open a bank account.. and also to get my wife a visa to visit my home country.. the latter was poetic license of course.. and they finally caved in and accepted a colour photocopy attested with our signatures.. i was not going to leave there without it.. or a financial guarantee to replace it.. and i think they understood that in the end!

My own experience of opening a bank account in CM recently, suggests that only Bangkok Bank will offer you àn account if you are a foreigner, every other bank told me it was no longer possible!

@Andrew **********

Just had to do this myself and used an agent to expedite the process.. they were very efficient and with hindsight their fees were reasonable.. unfortunately ìm based in CM so of little use to you sorry

Where are you based?

I have been on the same bank account 'journey' myself.. only Bangkok bank would consider letting me open an account.. every other bank told me that only B/bank could now open accounts for foreigners.. and in the absence of a LTV they wanted a letter from Immigration granting permission.. also had to wait 4-weeks for this letter.. and upon finally presenting it to B/bank was also told about this 30-day rule (unexpired days) which prevented me from opening an account.. so i went to a different much larger branch since i was told their management had more discretion.. and didn't mention my earlier interactions.. they opened the account no problem with a modest deposit.. but i then transferred my visa fund into the account in front of them and got them to update the book.. so they could see i was genuine about my purpose.. but it was definitely a right old rigmarole!

I had exactly the same experience when requesting a residence certificate at the IO in Chiang Mai recently.. went to the 2nd floor as directed.. dealt with on a 1:1 basis by a very friendly lady.. was asked to pay 500 bht for it and was told it would arrive in the post 4-weeks later.. she even gave me the exact date it would arrive.. asked if there was an express service to expedite the process and offered to pay for it.. since i needed it urgently to open a bank account.. but was informed that there wasn't and i'd simply have to wait.. when i queried why the process took so long she was unable to offer an explanation and just said that was the processing time.. the letter/certificate arrived on the stated day and was delivered by courier.. not a day earlier or a day later.. this delay cost me the best part of a month seasoning my bank deposit and ate into my visa stamp.. i believe they knew this and contrived to ensure I'd have to pay for another extension before being able to submit my non-o visa application.. it seems other people have been offered an express service for the same 500 bht.. or weren't charged for the standard waiting time.. so it would seem to suggest that individual immigration officers can do what they want.. and may even vary their response dependent upon mood or the day of the week.. very frustrating if you're an expat thats arrived from a western country.. where govt agencies adopt a uniform practice across all branches and staff are not at liberty to do as they please!

I'm married to a Thai.. but our marriage was solemnised in Singapore.. so we have just had a similar experience in preparing for my non-o (married) visa application in CM.. the Singapore marriage certificate had to be certified by the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok.. was then translated into Thai and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand.. we used an agent to expedite the process and on this occasion it was money well spent.. have also had to produce it when registering my residence with the local Amphur.. who wanted to keep the original instead of the photocopy i offered them.. telling me i could 'borrow it' if i ever needed it.. unbelievable! .. but after kicking up a mighty fuss.. explaining that immigration will also need to see the original.. as well as UK immigration at some point in the future.. and insisting they indemnify me for the cost of obtaining another one if they should lose it.. they eventually backed down and accepted the stamped copy.. i should add that the translation was also mandatory to obtain a residence certificate from the local Amphur.. and is also needed to get a 'yellow book' from the Municipality.. which I've recently learned is responsible for issuing them.. ie. not the Amphur directly.. so if you weren't married in Thailand it's pretty much essential for anyone planning on living here long term!

@Chris ********************

Please feel free to skip past my posts my friend.. they are not compulsory reading for anyone.. but someone less experienced than yourself may get some value from what I've shared.. and from what I've observed.. the admins are constantly asking people for more detail in order to offer helpful advice.. like everything else in life 'one size' doesn't fit all!