What steps should I take for re-entry to Thailand on a retirement visa after visiting the UK?

@Alan ********

One note: If you buy a multi-re-entry permit for 3800 Baht every year together with your fresh “1-year extension of stay permit” that costs a fee of 1900 Baht, you are definitely throwing pearls to sows, in case you do not plan to leave Thailand for at least four times within the 1-year period.

A single re-entry permit would be just enough, and it costs 1000 Baht at immigration. You can buy it on the day you go for your extension of stay permit, and it will be valid as long as the stay permit takes you. You will have saved 2800 Baht.

As a rule, I always buy a single re-entry with my extension, let alone in case I need to leave the country on a quick notice or in case I get repatriated as a sick patient. The re-entry permit would keep my current stay permit alive.

In the past I had, like the threadstarter, always bought the multi re-entry version, until one day the Immigration boss, going through my passport, said to me “Sir, you are spending money every year on re-entries you do did never use, in the past 8 years” and then told me to stick with a single re-entry or just buy one at the airport before leaving.

re-entry stamp is a big lined rectangle stamp.

If you are worried, you ask to confirm at the passport control at Suvernabhumi when you fly out.

If you have one with validation same as your extension of stay stamp, you don't need another.

@Alan ********

if you are applying inside Thailand, it's not visa, it's extension of stay, WITHOUT any entry. If you apply for multiple re-entry permit with your extension, it would be okay. But if you apply only for extension, you need to buy re-entry permit BEFORE you fly out. Check your passport if you have a stamp saying "re-entry permit".

@Alan ********

chaengwattna or airport when you fly out