@Greg *******

This person is probably one of 2 scenarios:

A) Pulled him-herself out of amnesty with an embassy letter.

Work Permit was issued once the 30 day extension was on the passport (only possible because the Ministry of Education has been given that option for teachers and students). And with the WP done, then apply for a change of status to a NON-B based on the Ministry of Education's recent special permit.

B) This person had an expired NON-B from another school or job. Got that extended w embassy letter and then follow the same steps as case A

I take it u had the TM30 all sorted out.

Did they also asked for pictures (photos) of u and ur wife, whether in front of the house or not... what about hand drawn map... etc?

I know that would (usually) be for the annual extension and not a 60-day-visit-family one...

Just hear contradictory stories (which i also understand comes down to the mood of whoever u get at the counter)

@Tod ********

Could he pull himself outta amnesty with a Consulate letter (30 day extension)?

I KNOW... most Consulates aren't giving them.

Then again... what most Consulates said was "if u just wanna extend ur backpacking situation, we wont give u the letter"

But with a legally employed wife, etc etc

Its a whole different argument

And i (personally) know of Consulates that under THOSE (reasonable) circumstances will give u the letter

That would put him on 25 OCT with real days/actual stamp to get the trailing visa rolling.

Just an idea... not sure if feasible...

Nobody said its a 7 day extension.

Legally speaking there is NO 7 day extension... one applies for 30 days (lets say)... and when denied u r given 7 days to leave.

So its sorta like an emergency extension based on being denied.

Now the IO might've meant:

If u book a flight home... but the avail flight is Aug 3rd (lets say)... and u r in OVERSTAY for 3 days... we won't charge you.

Since flights are limited it would make a lot of sense not to charge overstay to all that leave during the 1st week of Aug.

Just a speculation tho

(Like everything else nowadays)

@Dan *********

i asked about this at Chaengwattana and they said the 60 day would start on the date the extension is issued. NOT backdated to the day ur last stamp ran out... the amnesty fills the days in between.

So it would make sense to wait (almost) till the end of the month... not too close as offices will be ridiculously crowded tho.

I think the OP refers to a 60 day EXTENSION OF STAY based on family.

Which can be done once per entry (of course u aint gonna do an extension of the extension)

And (some) offices only allow 1 per visa validity (for the 1 year Non-O that would mean do it once in whichever entry u like)

In normal times (AKA: NOT NOW) it would make sense to come into the country on day 364... get 90 days... and do the 60-day extension on that last entry... thats how historically people got 17 months outta that visa.

@Steven **************

sure.

The thing for many is that "doing the right thing" is not a black/white matter.

Especially cuz THEIR rules are not clear...

So u cant expect people to understand 》act accordingly if the rules u put out are vage and contradictory.

He will extend.

So will i.

But doing it TODAY is starting the countdown of those 60 days.

(Yes... we need a longterm solution... yes... but surely u know that everything takes time in TH... not all employers are organized .. not all HR Dep have foreigners.... for many its the first time they do anything foreigner related)

All the speculation is generated by the Gov not setting clear rules.

If i do my extension on WED... and friday they extend the amnesty another month... i basically burned my extension for nothing

Unfortunately having to gamble our choices is a product of their own lack of clarity and planning

@Christopher ***********

it also depends what office u go to...

Some people talk like Chaengwattana is the only office in the country

(It sure is the worst in terms of queues, with Chiang coming in 2nd i believe)

I am in Samut Prakarn and its "ok". Not pleasant (is any?)... but i never had to go at 5am or those horror stories i hear from others

The most i ever queued (in years of NonBs, extensions, NonOs, extensions, etc) was 2hrs i think

@Steven **************

if the amnesty fills the gap

And the 60-day (family lets say) extension is issued on the day u apply (NOT backdated)

Then it would make sense to wait as much as possible... wouldn't it?

That way u use amnesty and ur 60 days start towards the end of July

And that puts u closer to an eventual border bounce (he has multi entry still valid for many months)

If (IF) amnesty gets extended... he would have burned his 60 days ahead

Thoughts? (As im on the same boat)

@Steven **************

greatly appreciate your help.

As well as

@Tod ********

paramount advice.

Unfortunately dont meet the year extension requirements ($).

Being that its 60 days from date of it being issued it seems the smartest thing would be waiting till the last days of amnesty (whether that means July 28-29-30) or if it gets then whenever that day is...

That way the 60 days will push me closer to a (posible) date that i can bounce (non-o multi)