Tuvoc

As an actual employee on the payroll, that would be pretty rare. Even when an employer allows 100% remote working, they will not allow that to be carried out abroad for any length of time. Mine certainly didn't. During Covid when I was living in the UK our offices were closed for a year, I was there with my manager's permission, but HR did not know. When HR found out, I was told to return before I hit the 180 days which would have triggered Thai tax residency. In the case you mention above, I imagine he is probably working as an independent contractor, being paid on invoice.

I was a few days late with my first renewal - the agent's fault not mine - and there were no issues. The following year I renewed myself, no problems. But you really do need to avoid any overstay not matter how small. I would not advocate any overstay, no matter how short.

Do find a good builder. Our house was built and with some faults. The builder did fix them except then when it came to the roof which had a small leak, he simply stopped taking phone calls.

Will the UK company who employs you let you work in Thailand long term ? Most would not.

I've been to Anjira's clinic the last couple of weeks. She did a very nice job of fitting a new crown, I'm really happy with it.

Maje sure that you don't reach a judgement based on just one tank, give it two or three I'd say.

Don't some ECUs have a tampering alert on them - the ECU will always retain the real mileage that can be read by a standard diagnostic tool. Later BMWs I was told that was the case. Japanese stuff, don't know.

Yes, they do happen.

I'm a fan of Chiang Rai and the north of Thailand generally. Some people like the beaches; I prefer the mountains and landscapes. Crop burning is a downside, and it drifts across from Myanmar too I think. Nowhere is perfect.

Well, got home tonight and the approval email has arrived. So exactly 8 weeks.

Not correct, there is no distinction. 180 days present in a calendar year and you're tax resident for that year, tourist or otherwise.

It will be 8 weeks tomorrow since I submitted mine. I guess they got a flood of applications for the old deals.

I think that is right but perhaps worse - if you have ever had such a visa at any time past or present. Someone will correct me if wrong.

That makes sense. Presumably also if they do approve you and you don't proceed, you also forfeit it. I guess they get quite a bit of that too.

I've always had great service from the Chiang Rai office, better than Mae Sai. I think it depends on which IO you get on the day.