TO APPLY FOR AN EXTENSION OF STAY BASED UPON RETIREMENT

To apply for an extension of stay based upon retirement (it is not a visa) you have to show financial proof for every extension application. You must have 800k baht in a Thai bank for 60 days if it is your first extension or 3 months for the 2nd one and onwards or proof of 65k baht income or a combination of the 2 totalling 800k baht.For money in the bank you will need a bank letter and copies of your updated bank book. For income you will need a letter from your embassy confirming your income. You will need a completed TM7 application form with one 4 X 6 cm photo attached. Copies of your passport photo page, visa, entry stamp, extension stamp (if any) and TM6 departure card. Some offices may want copies of every page with a visa or stamp for stamp for Thailand on it. You will need proof of residence which can be a rental agreement with copies of the owner’s house book and ID card attached.

VISA FROM ROYAL THAI CONSULATE.HONG KONG

Hong Kong Royal Thai Consulate. 8th Floor, Fairmont House, Cotton Tree Drive, Hong Kong. Documents required. Passport, One photocopy of details page, Completed application form. One photocopy of Hong Kong Entry Slip (for non-residents), 300 HK$. To get there, get the MTR to Admiralty Station. Exit using exit B. Walk right and right again to the entrance of the Lippo Centre. Go up one floor to the 2nd floor (one floor above ground level). Use the footbridge to cross Cotton Tree Drive. If you don't use the footbridge, you will find it tricky to get to Fairmont House. Take lift to 8th floor. The nearest photocopying place is Alpha-graphics on the ground floor of the Lippo Centre. 2 HK$ per sheet. Applications are accepted from 9:30 - 12:30 on Day One. Passport is available for collection from 9:30 - 12:30 on Day Two. I went on Thu 4th Jan so it was quite busy with about 20 applicants. I had to wait around 15 minutes. I don't think this is normal. I have a lot of Thai visas but I still got one there. They are not interested in flights or funds. I did get asked and reminded that I should not work in Thailand.

10 YEAR RETIREMENT VISA REQUIREMENTS

Many Embassy websites have the requirements posted.This from the embassy in the USA. http://thaiembdc.org/non-immigrant-visa-category-o-x-long-stay

ONCE YOU HAVE ARRIVED AT CHAENGWATTANA IMMIGRATION

When you are past the security at the building entrance, you'll be in a large lobby area.The door to Immigration is on the right side.Once you enter that door, you'll be in a small reception type area with people filling out forms, etc Walk through this room and in the next room you'll find the real reception desks where you get a queue number.The 'number' will start with a J or K, areas J and K is where they do the extensions for tourist visas and visa exempt entries.This area is just steps away from reception.As I recall, they process about 50 people each hour. I've arrived at 9 am and received a number as low as J5 and as high as J110. At this time of year, it will likely be busy and will take a few hours. If you arrive after the lunch break, you may be there until they close, they do guarantee to help everyone who has a number and they definitely process more people per hour later in the day.You don't need to sit and wait in the J or K area, you can go downstairs where they have some cafes, etc.to kill the time.Just go back up and check where they are on the numbers every now and then.

GOING TO CHAENGWATTANA IMMIGRATION IN BANGKOK

From the Soi Nana BTS station, you take the BTS to Morchit station(end of the line)and use exit 3.Once you are street level, you can get the bus to Chaengwattana.The bus is number 52 from Morchit BTS to Chaengwattana.It travels in a loop so you can get the same bus back again.Also you should see some taxis lined up next to some concrete barriers on the road.I believe the barriers are there to create a bus lane so be careful not to be run over by a bus!! (The buses will be lane 1 and the taxis in lane 2).Every now and then, there are no taxis at the barrier and you have to get one that is parked curb side a little further up the road.  Or flag one down.  The fare is about 120-140thb.  Most taxi drivers know where to go but not all.  Try 'Immigration', 'make visa', Chaengwattana  to help them understand where you need to go.  It might help to have a map with you if at all possible.  It is not a difficult journey, about 30 minutes on the BTS and another 20-30 min to get to immigration via taxi (depends on traffic). Watch out for taxis. I had one fiddling the meter which went to 50 THB after 100 meters up the road.However most of the taxis are very safe and reliable.The immigration office is located at the very back of the government complex (furthest point from Chaengwattana road).  It can be confusing as to what driveway to turn into, I’ve missed it before and been able to get in at another entrance further down the road. http://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/location1.html