at the Jomtien immigration office I was told by immigration officers that a criminal background check is not needed. Regardless, I visited the tourist police in Pattaya to ask for help on the check, they said go to immigration. So I arrive in Udon and visit the immigration office. They directed me to the local forensics office where I paid 100 baht then to learn the report will come a week or so later.

@Tod ********

the problem is they require you to be in country while they send your passport to Bangkok. I am on the move I can't wait around for such processes. So I will head to vientiane to apply for the non o.

@Tod ********

pattaya

thanks... I will go to the tourist police station to see if they can help on the criminal check. any advice on the medical check? can I do the same as I did for a Thai drivers license? a trip to the local clinic for them to give me a look over?

aha... option 3 is what I understand I need as I do not wish to return to my country to deal with this. 90 Day Single Entry Non-Immigrant Type O Visa & a Yearly Extension of Stay

3 ) a 90 day single entry Non-Immigrant Type O visa (gotten either inside thailand OR from a thai consulate).

I also am not fully sure of the terms... but there is a visa called the retirement visa for those 50 years and older which gives 1 year in duration. It may be called the non o? If I understand correctly the non o is first a 3 month visa then you apply for the 1 year visa... maybe also a non o

I understand I apply for the non O first then convert to retirement visa? I did see the criminal record check on the website. how would I go about getting that? My record is clean BTW...

thanks, I just booked an appointment