@Garrett **********

is there really a desk at the end that does that? Have you ever used it? I really don't blame the IO. He's only looking for the entry stamp so he can stamp him out. That's his only job, not to make sure every traveler knows every rule about immigration otherwise no one would catch their flights. It would take too long. He's not concerned about whether he's coming back or not as far as he's concerned he might be leaving Thailand for good. it's up to the traveler to make sure he understands all the visa rules.

@Garrett **********

unfortunately that advice would have come too late as he checked in for his flight. The immigration officer would know that so why bother telling him.

That is correct, the Visa is canceled without a re-entry permit. If you anticipate leaving the country it's always best to get a multiple re-entry permit at the time you get the Ed Visa or any other kind of long stay Visa.

@Bob *********

that's a good point. Better to come in on a 45-day exemption and then apply for a non-O and then convert that to retirement extension. Health insurance is not required. That's what I did.

@Alex ******

if the passport you are using to get your extension has more than 12 months validity then you will get a 12-month extension but if it has less than 12 months they will give you the amount that is left on your passport. They only care about the passport you turn up with at their office. When you get a new passport you will have to go to immigration to get your visa stamp transferred to the new passport but you won't get a new extension at that point until the old one runs out.

The only other thing to be aware of is the expiry date of your passport. When I renewed my retirement extension last year I only had 6 months remaining on my passport so they could only give me a 6-month extension right up until the date of expiry of the passport. When I renewed the passport I went back when the 6 months was up and renewed for another full year.

@Graham *****

that's not true.

I have previously renewed my retirement extension on the day before expiry date although it's advisable to do it earlier in case anything goes wrong like not having the right paperwork.

One day. You can apply for renewal up to 45 days before expiry.

@Garrett **********

it may be more difficult in some cases but I don't want a Thai to steal my 1 million baht car because it's in their name. Isn't that obvious 😀 in fact they wouldn't be stealing it would they because they are the owner but I've paid for it. How many of your possessions do you have in other people's names?