UdonExpat wrote: ↑

August 22, 2017, 10:14 am

Came into Thailand through Don Muang immigration about 1345 hours on Monday the 21st. The visa on arrival windows had officers with no customers, so I went there. No comment from the officer when she gave me another 90 days on a retirement visa.

Check your passport. You should have it stamped valid until the one year retirement visa extension finishes.
The date is on your retirement visa IE 7th Feb 2018.
Some times they stamp the departure card with 90 days to remind you when to report next.

pal52 wrote: ↑

August 22, 2017, 10:39 am

UdonExpat wrote: ↑

August 22, 2017, 10:14 am

Came into Thailand through Don Muang immigration about 1345 hours on Monday the 21st. The visa on arrival windows had officers with no customers, so I went there. No comment from the officer when she gave me another 90 days on a retirement visa.

Check your passport. You should have it stamped valid until the one year retirement visa extension finishes.
The date is on your retirement visa IE 7th Feb 2018.
Some times they stamp the departure card with 90 days to remind you when to report next.

He didn't say he was on an extension. Maybe on a 1-year, Non-O that was issued under retired criteria so does the 90-day in-out?

Came into Swampy yesterday at 10am.
Fairly slow in the Priority Hall, longest wait I can remember in there.
The officer who saw me took an absolute age to process a multi-entry non o, but didn't say a word to me while doing so & a great smile when she completed it.
I am guessing new staff in training as per the Immigration promise. Even the sign above her desk saying it was a priority lane for Foreign Passports was hand written.
Even saying that I was still out in the concourse with my checked luggage half an hour after the plane landed.
That was 100% better than Heathrow, where Immigration took the swipe of my passport but baggage handling took an hour to even start up the belts..

BobHelm wrote: ↑

August 22, 2017, 12:21 pm

Came into Swampy yesterday at 10am.
Fairly slow in the Priority Hall, longest wait I can remember in there.
The officer who saw me took an absolute age to process a multi-entry non o, but didn't say a word to me while doing so & a great smile when she completed it.
I am guessing new staff in training as per the Immigration promise. Even the sign above her desk saying it was a priority lane for Foreign Passports was hand written.
Even saying that I was still out in the concourse with my checked luggage half an hour after the plane landed.
That was 100% better than Heathrow, where Immigration took the swipe of my passport but baggage handling took an hour to even start up the belts..

Baggage retrieval is geeting bad every where. Hit and miss, the orange priority tag at times means last bag.

Reminded me of the old Monty Python album and song about Heathrow baggage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXlBESlGFPE

My quick process through immigration at BKK the other week was balanced out by waiting an eternity for some oversize luggage and then getting pulled up at customs.
I'd originally given myself 90 minutes for the connecting Udon flight. Just as well Emirates changed the flight time to land an hour earlier. It would have been touch and go with a 90 minute stopover.

tamada wrote: ↑

August 22, 2017, 11:10 am

pal52 wrote: ↑

August 22, 2017, 10:39 am

UdonExpat wrote: ↑

August 22, 2017, 10:14 am

Came into Thailand through Don Muang immigration about 1345 hours on Monday the 21st. The visa on arrival windows had officers with no customers, so I went there. No comment from the officer when she gave me another 90 days on a retirement visa.

Check your passport. You should have it stamped valid until the one year retirement visa extension finishes.
The date is on your retirement visa IE 7th Feb 2018.
Some times they stamp the departure card with 90 days to remind you when to report next.

He didn't say he was on an extension. Maybe on a 1-year, Non-O that was issued under retired criteria so does the 90-day in-out?

Yes, one year retirement visa, in for 90 days at a time. Helps motivate me to travel around the area, rather than staying in beautiful Udon.

BobHelm wrote: ↑

August 22, 2017, 12:21 pm

That was 100% better than Heathrow, where Immigration took the swipe of my passport but baggage handling took an hour to even start up the belts..

You have to allow them the time to go through your personal belongings in case there's something that takes their fancy.

That's one of the disadvantages I've found of the A380's, - "debusing" (or is it deplaning) and collection of baggage take longer.

Good morning everyone.

I came back yesterday morning and used the priority channel.
I noticed that a sign above the imm. officers desks lists the following additional info relating to those who qualify to use it for those unfamilar with it.

Over 70's and families with babies are on the list so wonder if these have been added recently as the sign looked new.

While I am not against the families and babies and certainly do no begrudge them there where 3 lots in front with a large number of children and there partners, all of whom where going through the process which was taking the waiting time up.

One additional family had to back off and complete the required TM forms but it only looked like 2 forms where being completed for the family ?

The main immigration hall wasn't overly busy and the ones from my KLM flight where done and dusted nearly as quick as I was and waiting at the carousel. ( 10.10 am )

The officer that processed me was friendly and helpful including when I asked him if he would please stamp my passport some pages back in a space just big enough to accommodate it and put my departure part of the TM with it to mark the page for my next departure which he kindly did for me.

As others have noticed it took me longer to get my luggage off the carousel than immigration clearance as mine was near the back end of it but all in all I was well pleased with everything.

Incidentally this was my first booking with KLM for several years due to several unsatisfactory issues at the time.

I am happy to say they have much improved based on this experience and full credit to everyone from check in to landing both ways and I will certainly use them again.

I have two flights which included one to my local airport of which all details were on the initial ticket so no worries about having to queue up in Schipol as was previously to get the second part.

marshbags

Just an update

Came in at 0650 last Sunday

Quite busy, went up to the Immigration officer handing out the arrival cards

Showed him my Visa Non O and asked if the Priority lanes were for me,

NO - join the queue.

One positive comment, is they have staff to check your arrival card details etc,before you join the queue.

What are you trying to say Waz, ' that you are not over 70yr '?

wazza was that swampy. or Don Muang ?

Swampy

Star Alliance are suppose to have a Gold Card Fast Track.

Didnt see it

If the Star Alliance Gold Card is similar to Etihad, you have to pick up a fast track pass from one of the attendants on the plane. I do this and go through the priority lane

I have used them for years. For about $30 USD a lovely young lady will meet you at plane, escort to immigration(fast lane), help claim your luggage and see you are safely away via taxi or connecting flight.

Also, there are lots of little things will help with as well; fill in arrival card if needed, guard luggage while you visit toilet, atm, 7/11,etc.

For me well worth the few dollars. Last thing I look forward to after long flight is long queu at immigration.

How do you book this?

Update for the OP. arrived last night (Friday) at 8 pm.
Immigration load looked light, I took the main hall fast-track as a long-term visa holder versus my buddy who took the regular route. I got to the carousel in 5 minutes, about 10 minutes before he did.

tamada wrote: ↑

August 20, 2017, 12:21 pm

Anyone having a 1-year, multi entry Non-O or O-A visa also qualifies. Not sure what other types of visa has a 1-year allowance these days, maybe none?

Non-B. One year visa validity with 90 days per entry.