Currently in Penang and will be collecting my passport shortly from the visa agent. I was gonna go to KL to visit a friend and do it there but the website suggested that I would not get a 1 year NON-O visa as follows:
So I came to Penang in the hope of a 1 year multiple entry, here's hoping.Non-immigrant visa (O) is valid for single entry into Thailand and must be used within 90 days from the date of its issuance. Upon arrival, at immigration checkpoint, holder of non-immigrant visa (O) will be granted initial permit to stay in Thailand up to 90 days. Once in Thailand, holder of non-immigrant visa (O) can apply for an extension of stay to 1 year from the Immigration Bureau. The extended stay permit is valid for multiple entries into Thailand.
The Banana Backpacker has closed down, so I went along to the also legendary Jim's Place where Jim had me all ticked off and ready for submission in about 5 minutes.
I gave them everything I had:
Passport and copy
2 passport photos
marriage cert eng and thai
son's birth cert eng and thai
wife's housebook where she is registered
Son's housebook where he is registered
our actual housebook where we live
proof of wife's ownership of our house/land
6 month bank statement
up to date bank book
credit card statement showing my address (he didn't want it)
Invitation letter from wife - Thanks Toddaniels!
Cost was 830 MYR = 6,450 THBmy name is Somcheetah the thai, my thai id number is 123, I am married to joe blow foreigner whose passport number is 234. please issue him a year-long, multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O visa.
I stayed at Le Dream Boutique hotel, price was 1,800thb per night. Nice modern rooms, fast wifi, good breakfast and high tea, freeflow wine from 6-7pm on the rooftop bar where they play movies with free popcorn, cookies and ice-cream and there are a couple of jacuzzis too. Free soft drinks from the minibar and free drop off within 3kms. You get this same deal from Chulia Mansion which has the same owner.
I used to hate Penang, but it's really coming along. It's definitely growing on me.