cacahootie

If you look around, KL is not considered one of the most friendly embassies/consulates to attend.  Penang is more friendly.  I was there recently and it was a breeze.  Vientiane is even easier from a documentation perspective.  Regarding working as a "digital nomad", it's pretty well tolerated as far as I can tell.  I made the mistake of telling an IO at Swampy airport that I was a software engineer that worked online when I got pulled aside for my 7th Visa Exempt entry, and it was like a magic pass and I was waved in.  Technically, however, doing any "work" in Thailand is illegal, but since you're spending money here and not competing with Thai people or businesses, it seems to be no problem in practice.  I'd just not mention it though.  There's plenty of coworking spaces where farang are working as DMs and they're not targeted in any way.  If you intend to work with Thai clients, that's an entirely different matter and you definitely need a Work Permit, which you will find yourself essentially unable to get.  If you intend to only stay here 60 days and you have a UK passport, a visa exempt entry with a 30 day extension is an easier approach, especially if you haven't previously spent much time in Thailand.

I've done it at Chaeng Wattana twice, and it's the same set of requirements.  There's a copy shop in the basement that knows exactly what you need and can do passport photos too.  I have shown up 30 minutes before open to a huge, snaking line; but with a relatively short wait once I got a queue ticket and also I waited until about 10:30AM, and got right in but waited for about an hour for my queue number to come up.  Also don't forget the 1900 baht fee.  There's food and coffee and such, so if you've got a while before your queue number comes up you can go grab a bite or a drink.  Just get an idea of the rate they're calling numbers at and give yourself a big margin in case they speed up.

If you're flying to Penang, the airport counters had MYR, I used Kasikorn.  Not the greatest rates, but when you figure the time/cost of finding somewhere with MYR before you leave I think it's still a good deal for small amounts.  Or use an ATM in Penang.  Or pay in THB, I believe the consulate accepts THB, but I'm not sure.

I did this exact trip (Khon Kaen to Nong Khai) in May.  We took the Express #75 (15:37 - 17:45).  It was approximately 20 minutes late to KK, no big deal in Thailand.  The train took about 2 hours, ate some chicken on the way.  Get to Nong Khai, took a tuktuk to the friendship bridge (you could walk if you wanna save some money).  Don't remember how much we paid... wanna say 300 baht.  Better to pay for Laos visa in USD, iirc it was $30.  Met up with another farang in line, we shared a van into Vientiane... 300 baht per person iirc.  There's tons of people milling about, haggle if you want to, there's plenty of options.  Got into Vientiane probably around 8:00 PM.  We stayed at Muong Thong hotel, right near the consulate.  We drove in circles a bit because my pronunciation was slightly off.  Upon getting my visa, we made a mad dash to the Friendship bridge via taxi, tuktuk to the train station to buy the ticket and we had approximately 40 minutes to spare for the return train to KK.  I would recommend getting to the consulate early on the dropoff day because they go in order of queue number when returning.  I was like 475 or so... so it was about 2 and half hours of waiting to get my passport back.  Strolled into the hotel lobby with 5 minutes to spare on my scheduled taxi... only to wait 25 more for a late driver.  My girlfriend (Isaan) and I went to the bus station and tried to find a VIP bus from KK to Nong Khai and were not able to find one.  I was considering taking a taxi - probably about 1500 baht one way... but the train was super easy and (maybe) safer than the insane Thai roads.

I'm not an expert, but I seem to recall the esteemed UbonJoe mentioned at one point they only see the warning on their system if you're requesting a visa exempt entry.  But with that said, entering via air is somewhat more risky than overland.  Last time, I went to Penang (easy process) and entered via Sadao.  The IO looked through my passport many times but ultimately stamped me in with no comment.  When I was taken aside at BKK was my last entry by air, so I can't say what it's like with visa exempt.  I was in a similar boat, my first 4 VE entries were for short trips, then I stayed 60 days last year, and I've been in Thailand since the beginning of Feb last year, except for visa runs.  Best course of action is have 20k baht in your pocket if it becomes necessary.

Just to add to everyone else's comments here - I have had 7 visa exempt entries and am on my 2nd tourist visa.  I have gotten 3 extensions on VE entries, and I extended my first TV and will extend my current.  The primary "break point" for scrutiny is 6 visa exempt entries, particularly if you arrive by air.  I was asked a few questions on my 7th VE entry at BKK airport after a one day out & back to HCMC Vietnam.  If you have your 20k baht in cash in hand and cross at a land border other than Sadao or Poipet, you'll be very unlikely to have an issue.  If you're only looking to spend a total of 8 months, you don't need consider the more costly option of an Elite Visa (which frankly is for people with more money than sense), and no need to go home to get a METV.  If you want to learn Thai language or Muay Thai, an ED visa is an option, but frankly it's not necessary and tourist visas are going to be a simpler and cheaper solution.  Also, Penang is a good spot to get a visa.  I like George Town as a city.  Check my recent post for a description of the requirements and process.

3 hours ago, Elkski said:

So if I bother to apply and get single entry? If I do want a longer vacation I should plan on any longer side excursions to be before or after my 60 days.  Say fly into Bkk and hone from Singapore. 

#1 I can only apply within 60 days of entry date.  But many suggest buying airfare 60-90 days out.  That's fffed

#2 each time I cross the border I have to pay 1000 baht to get back in?  Even for a day shopping trip to Mae sai market?

#3 so just getting a 30 day extension on top of a tourist visa for 1900 may be best? This requires planning part of a day and going to one of the locations.

#4 just get a 30 day reentry at a  border crossing. Idon't have any other extensions so I should not be stopped right? But this seems kind of an iffy thing to plan one and having more vacation plans in thailand. And it seems risky booking airfare at a 60 day interval ahead of time.  How much are these border visas?  

I'm beginning to seewhy so many complain

  I'm flying 14,000 km for this risky iteneary.    Hopefully some competent official is reading TV and figuring all this out. 

It's not that risky, just be aware of the details.  One key point is that you pay for and get a reentry permit before you leave, not upon your return.  If you stamp out and don't get a permit, that visa is done.  If you intend to cross the border more than 3 times,  a multiple reentry permit is 3800 baht and available.  Perhaps the "safest" course of action is to spent a morning at the Immigration offices.  Get an extension of stay for 30 days (extending your overall time to 90 days) and then get a multiple reentry permit AFTER you get the extension.  If you get a reentry permit BEFORE your extension, the extension will invalidate the reentry permit.  As others have said, you get 2 visa exempt entries per calendar year at land borders, so you could use 1 visa exempt to enter by air, leave the country within 30 days for a side trip or get a 30 day extension, and then use 1 or 2 visa exempt entries for side trips.  There's very little risk if you've had fewer than 6 visa exempt entries overall, and you will not get more than 2 at land borders.  Just be sure to have 20k baht (or equivalent) IN CASH when you attempt a visa exempt entry.  I've never been asked, but it happens so be prepared.  If your return flight is more than 30 days after your entry, your best bet is a tourist visa + re-entry permits; it's safest and avoids the hassle of your airline denying boarding.

Since this topic rose from the dead, I'll add my question in here in the vain hope of resuscitating conversation.  I am a US citizen, currently here on Tourist Visas.  I have regular income from the US.  My girlfriend and I are considering buying a house (please spare me any advice you may have on the wisdom of that endeavor).  We visited a few sales galleries today and the consensus was that we would not be able to be financed because my girlfriend has no employment income here.  I'm willing to cosign (or guarantee) on the loan.  Does anyone have recent experience on this and can recommend a particular branch or bank?  UOB kept coming up as an option in our discussions.  I see also SCB mentioned frequently, and perhaps Bangkok Bank.  My girlfriend is with Krungthai Bank.  She has good credit, having paid off personal loans, cars, and a couple previous mortgages on her farmland and home in Isaan.  Obviously I can go to a few branches and see what's up, but I was hoping some people might have recent relevant experience.  Thanks.

1 hour ago, paul18620 said:

As don't want to leave yet 

Having a ticket out of the country doesn't mean to have to use it.  You could either choose a cheap destination (I've seen USD $35 to Singapore for instance) or a refundable ticket depending on your preference.  I have a flexi ticket than I can reschedule for $50, which is another option and means I always have a trip home already should it be necessary.

The officers receive a notice on their computer when you reach 6 Visa Exempt entries.  I never had an issue until I did a one day out & back flight to HCMC for my 7th Visa Exempt entry, and then I was taken aside and asked some questions and ultimately sent on my way with a stamp and a recommendation to get a visa next time.  The general wisdom is that the land borders are no issue for your 2 VE per year, just avoid Poipet and Sadao and have your 20k just in case.  AFAIK, you get a red stamp on your final visa issue saying not to come back.  I've seen it said that you get 4 visas from Vientiane before the red stamp, but that's just hearsay.

Last time I was in Vientiane (May) there were no documentation requirements such as bank statement, 20k balance or plane ticket, just a bunch of copies and pay the fee on pickup.  The Friendship Bridge didn't so much as blink despite my 7 VE entries.

6 hours ago, Rdrokit said:

I think the US should adopt this policy as it would force many foreign companies to build plants in the US and employee US workers.

It's that way for pickup trucks, look into the Chicken Tax.  And realistically, even Honda, Toyota and Nissan produce cars domestically in the US market.  In fact, the "Japanese" cars often have higher domestic parts content than the big 3.  All pickup trucks offered for sale in the US market are produced in the NAFTA region.  But tariffs are a two way street - if we suddenly impose a 100% import duty on foreign cars, then Germany (the EU rather) and Japan are going to look for ways to retaliate.  That's why simplistic understandings of international trade are typically not valid.  And besides, car factories are increasingly automated; there just aren't that many jobs to go around in manufacturing these days.

16 hours ago, geisha said:

A question please. As this office seems very crowded, when is the quietest time to go ? I'll be staying there the whole working week.thanks.

tbh, it really wasn't that crowded compared to Vientiane.  I didn't really spend much time there, maybe an hour to 1.5 hours in total between the two days.  It's just a question of showing up early and being aggressive about getting in line.  I would assume Mondays to be the most crowded, but that's the day I applied and it wasn't so bad.

Edit: it just occurred to me that you probably don't need to get there right as it opens, it may be better to wait an hour or so after open for the initial flurry to die down.  Unlike Vientiane, the order you pick up in does not depend on when you applied.

Sure, imported sports cars, big bikes and the like are eye-wateringly expensive here, but you can pick up a simple pickup for less than the lowest price available in the USA, whereas a 4x4 Fortuner is ~ $10k more than a similar 4Runner.  The tax regime here may be backwards, but it is what it is.  Work with it not against it and you'll end up ok.  Thailand has a very protectionist import duty schedule, and when you couple that with the upside-down auto excise taxes, you end up with a distorted market where a subcompact Honda is more expensive than a base model pickup.  Personally, I like pickups, so I'm not complaining too much except about big bike prices...