BritTim

I have availed myself of the unofficial moneychangers myself in the past. They are associated with the Chinese run underground banking system that bypasses exchange controls and money laundering checks. They only want high denomination notes of major currencies. You are correct that they can provide the best exchange rates, but I do worry a little bit about the legality.

That appears to vary.

Technically, I think it is a firm proposal rather than definitely approved. However, it is almost certainly going to happen.

I think the problem is likely to start even sooner. Most airlines are not going to be happy with a re-entry permit in a different passport than the passport, in a different name, you are using for travel. I am wondering if the UK passport office would agree to issue the passport under the new name without cancelling the old passport. You would then be able to return using the old passport. Subsequently, you could get a letter to Immigration from the UK embassy in Bangkok requesting stamp transfer to the new passport, explicitly referencing the name change. There are still uncertainties, but it would give a better chance, I think.

In answer to your implied question, if you submit an application which is subsequently denied by the embassy, the application fee is lost.

Savannakhet are offering multiple entry Non O for visiting Thai spouse. Vientiane is only giving single entry visas.

If really busy, delegating the process to someone else makes sense. However, there are benefits to doing it yourself, and gaining knowledge of what is involved. Usually, labour offices are more helpful than almost any other sector of Thai officialdom, and are foreigner friendly. They will make time to help and explain everything you do not understand.

The office at CW is usually pretty reasonable about hiccups like this, as long as it is clear you are trying to comply. At some other offices, you might well be in trouble.

As suggested by @ubonjoe, if you just want a visa exempt entry, using one of the border crossings with Cambodia is probably appropriate. (However, do not use the easiest at Aranyaprathet/Poipet which is a rogue crossing.) While you can save a little money, in principle, by making the trip independently, using the services of a visa run company may be wiser for a first timer.

That is extremely interesting. What did they require in the way of financial proof? Did you make the application in person, or use an agent?

If, as I suspect, all they have is an indication from the airline via APIS that you are arriving with an e-visa, I find it perfectly natural that they ask to see the visa.

It illustrates once again the importance of recognising the distinction between a "visa" and a "permission to stay". The re-entry permit can be used to protect your permission to stay, regardless of how it was acquired. Indeed, under rare circumstances, it can be worthwhile to use a re-entry permit in conjunction with your permission to stay from a visa exempt entry.

Actually, on reflection, I have a more likely reason why Immigration was aware of you arriving on the flight with an e-visa. I strongly suspect it has to do with the information provided to the airline when you check in for your flight. The airline will have asked to see your visa, and will have provided the APIS (Advance Passenger Information System) with the fact that you have an e-visa. Airlines are obligated to use APIS to inform Thai Immigration of who they are bringing to Thailand. The main objective is to allow Thai Immigration to give the airline a DNB (Do Not Board) instruction for any passengers who they would intend denying entry. It seems they are probably also using it to be aware of your e-visa.

Doing land border bounces is actually pretty safe, whatever your immigration history. It only gives you the two allowed visa exempt entries by land per calendar year, however, unless you make arrangements to get a visa. [That said, stay away from the Aranyaprathet/Poipet border unless your immigration history is snowy white.]

While I might not have made the same decision myself, I actually admire anyone who is willing to take a stand against corruption, whether in their own country or in Thailand. It is up to each individual whether to take a moral stand over such things. I 100% endorse your advice to not even consider going on overstay. It is not 1990 any more.

As of 2019, the only consulate in the region where is was possible was Penang. The requirements (including financial proof) meant that it was an attractive option for very few people. As i recall, the document requirements were broadly similar to those needed to get a Non O visa via Immigration in Thailand. If you have money deposited in a bank outside Thailand that you do not want to bring into the country, maybe it might be worth considering. Otherwise, a single Non O (available from many embassies/consulates wit lesser financial proof) followed by extensions and re-entry permits inside Thailand is likely a better option.

If you are confident that you want to remain in Thailand for many years, Thailand Elite will probably be your best option. However, the Philippines with two or three 60-day visits per year to Thailand is viable without the large initial outlay for a 20-year Elite membership.

As a matter of interest, what date did you provide for intended entry into Thailand when applying for the eVisa? I am wondering if the date and flight information provided with the application was part of what was provided to Immigration.

I think I have seen that Ho Chi Minh City is still doing multiple entry Non O visas without financial proof. Whether you would consider that easier than Savannakhet, I do not know.

As a general rule, Immigration will always use whatever you qualify for that gives the longest permission to stay. Occasionally, exceptions are made, but your experience, unfortunately, is typical.

Bear in mind that, nowadays, it seems very difficult to stay in Thailand more than a year or two with Non Ed visas/extensions to study at an informal school. Treat that as a temporary solution. If quite certain that you want to stay many years in Thailand, and aged well under 50, the 20-year Thailand Elite visa might well be a good, safe option. Even if close to age 50, people tend to ignore the reality that retirement extensions are likely to have more onerous requirements at some stage, possibly in the near future.

If he arrived without a visa, he was correctly given a 30-day visa exemption. He can extend this by 30 days at Immigration. Most likely, to get any more time than that, he will need to leave and re-enter Thailand which can usually be done most expeditiously, within minutes, at a land border.

There is an official rule that Non Ed visas and extensions for study at an informal school (commonly Thai language classes) are only permitted until 12 months after your last entry into Thailand. You might be able to find an agent who works with a university (probably quite expensive) where the 12 month rule would not apply. Otherwise, I think you were given the correct information by the agent.

Are you going to Penang for a tourist visa or Non O volunteer visa? If you receive a tourist visa in Panang, you will receive a 60-day permission to stay when you return to Thailand, which can optionally be extended for a further 30 days at immigration.

As you say, this is now out of date information. When using the e-visa system, they email the visa to you. There is no stamp in your passport.