I joined both Surin and Buriram expat forums last year to get information from locals about the area - originally I lived near Krasang, close to Surin. I now live in Buriram city. I don't contribute much to forums though I have put something on this forum and a little more on the Buriram forum about my experience with the under consideration retirement extension. I was caught out because the one month extension fell during my travel to Phuket to meet my sister holidaying from Australia. On the morning of the day I left Buriram I phoned the immigration officer who conducted the home visit and was told to go to KCI for either an extension to the temporary extension or (hopefully) my paperwork was ready for a one year extension. Luckily the paperwork was done and my full extension processed (a week earlier than the date due). My (de facto) wife had to lodge a form saying I lived at her house - seems KCI is enforcing this now. I was also given a new 90 day report so I don't have to go back for 3 months. Overall, despite this process seeming unnecessary for retirement extensions, the immigration staff were all very accommodating.
I have now met a lovely bunch of expats in Buriram though I don't know if any of them are members of these forums. It is difficult for me to "converse" online with someone I don't know so my contributions will only be provision of information that may be helpful to some members. Even my factual statement about my temporary extension on the Buriram forum attracted a strange comment - this made me think twice about further contributions.
I post this only to illustrate how one member views the forum, noting there is another thread on this subject. I do appreciate the information, funny comments, jokes, etc on the forums but the occasional out of the ballpark comment is certainly offputting.
Interestingly, the immigration officer who did the house call talked a lot about wanting to do something about the farang who live alone and never socialise. He was a golfer and suggested the golf group put something on the KCI notice board to try to get these people to meet other farang.
Thank you all for your information and comments. I wish you all good luck!
