@Steve *********

how long ago? US missions all saying 4 to 6 weeks or longer.

@Khun ***********

not anymore. Expedited is only available if in the US... or you are government... military it seems.

I can live with that if I have to. Given the time between sending everything out the US embassy and then the turn-around to get everything back well maybe just safer than sitting and hoping the US will actually do what they say on their site.... yet I am told by the US embassy that once you get the new passport the visa from the old is transferred over with the balance actually it is an extension of the time on said visa.

@Stuart ********

thank you for the response. The thing is that my Non O is due to be extended/renewed at the beginning of October.2023. My passport will need to be renewed in June 2024. It was suggested i renew my passport now. However US say that could take 6 weeks or maybe longer.. so just trying to avoid issues of not having a new passport to renew my visa. US says it should not be a problem with 8 month left as of October 2023. Hence me asking.

So visa expires and to be renewed at start of October 2023.

US passport expires and to be renewed June 2024. There by it still has 8 months left from October 2023.

Once new passport arrives... visa stamp can be transferred from one to the other.

Really just trying to be correct and keeping life easy and not putting in danger my status here in the Kingdom.

@Stevan **********

wonderful... as I said... good for you. But that will not be the same for everyone.

@Stevan **********

married are you? Then bought in Thai wife's name or through a company or as you have Thai children?Then fine. Good for you. But renting is easier... especially if you are not sure if Thailand is everything you are looking for... which was the point of the original post.

We still doing the TM 30? When I tried at my immigration office where they have known me for some 13 years... they just laugh and only wanted to know if I have been to that new western restaurant in town... never doing anything regarding a TM30. I asked... but they could care less. I was told that this is mainly for those traveling elsewhere or who are on a visa other than 'O' or A/O' and have not registered an address locally already. But hay, that could just because they know me.

Don't buy a house here. Rent one. Much easier and safer. Less red tape, headaches, stress, lawyer bills, upfront cash 'donations', and the 'last minute' changes to the contract, price, closing costs, etc. Besides, you will never really "own the house" there are always loopholes. The land that it sits on will never be yours. Only way to avoid this is to buy with/through a Thai. That in and of itself is never a clever idea. We wouldn't do it at home so why would anyone do it here? The latter has countless stories that never end well for the foreigner.

Yes it can be in another currency. As long as it is equal to 20,000THB. However, that is what is supposed to be allowed. Whether or not it actually is ... well... that is another thing altogether. Welcome to Thailand. But it is also all in your appearance if you are asked. In my 12 years here and my two children (in their 20's) coming and going as well as many other friends that have visited me over the years... I have never had an instant of any of them being asked for proof of funds. It is a crapshoot like most things here with regards to Immagration officials.