AlbionBob

A friend of mine, on a world cruise, alighted at Laem Chabang a few days ago for a two-day stopover. Didn’t have to go through any immigration, didn’t have to fill in any forms or show passport or anything - just walked off the boat, caught a bus and was in Pattaya half an hour later ! Seems strange given all the rigmarole the rest of us have to go through !

I submitted six month's back statements and copies of pension incomes.

The 90 day eVisa from London is £60. I got one in November. You have to submit a load of supporting documentation as well (see website).

I use XE, as mentioned by a previous contributor, to send money to my wife's account and sometimes my own. Excellent rate, easy process and transfer goes through extremely quickly. Just have to indicate "Living expenses" or "Family Support" no hassle. Highly recommended. Having said that, I have never tried Wise, so following all the above recommendations I will give them a try in future !

Thanks for prompt response DrJack !

As an aside, regarding the 20K you are supposed to bring in, would showing a Thai Bank Savings Account Book showing at least 20K be sufficient ? Or do you actually have to carry 20K in cash ? Thanks in anticipation.

Did mine last week. Be ready for long wait. Only one desk dealing with these, and they do all the agents first ! I had to wait over two hours. Also, remember to sign all the copies, as the rather obnoxious girl on the reception desk will send you away and you’ll drop a few places in the queue ! Take a pen - you’ll be charged 10 baht to use theirs ! That was, with the wait in the queue to get in, three hours of my life I won’t get back ! Next time I think I’ll get a 60 O visa !

I have a holiday home in mid-Wales, near Machynlleth. When I am in the uk, I go there on a regular basis. It is nearly a!ways raining. I wish the people that make the weather could apply some of this global warming to this part of the world !! In fact, I think most people in the UK find it hard to believe in global warming as it is hardly ever warm !! Only a few weeks ago, I played golf in Aberystwyth, gale force winds and freezing cold ! Global warming ???

I often chuckle when I read all the outrage on here about Thailand Pass etc! I am just applying for a Travel Visa for my Thai wife to come to England !! You guys would have heart attacks seeing the amount of documentation required !! Getting to Thailand for me is and has been a stroll in the park !!

Came in with KLM 10 Days ago in same scenario. Staying 56 days, but entered on Visa Exempt. KLM did not query lack of onward flight within the 30 days. Immigration Officer asked at Bangkok. I just stated that "I get extension". She stamped me in for 30 days. I will go to Jomptien in the next week or so for the extension.

Where I have my condo in Pratumnack Pattaya on the Thappraya Road, a former restaurant that has been vacant for about 5 years is being fitted out, a large sign reading Seeland Breweries has just been erected, with another sign hanging outside that states that they are recruiting staff. Seems a strange name if it is not in fact going to brew beer ! Anyone have any knowledge of what they are going to do ? Alas, can't keep you posted on developments as I am going back to UK tomorrow for three months !

After playing golf for 40 odd years, I finally played my first round in Thailand recently. Never previously ever had a caddy, I found the experience pretty damn good. Quite apart from the lovely course and superb weather, being chauffeured round by a delightful young lady, who offered great advice and generally looked after me, was indeed most enjoyable. I only ignored her advice once, opting for 7 iron when she said a 5. When my shot landed 25 yards short of the green, I had to admit she already knew my game better than I did ! Highly recommended ! Looking forward to my next round !!

People keep referring to the strength of the Baht. I returned to Thailand earlier this month and changed £200 at TT shop in Pattaya. Exchange Rate was 44.68 to the Pound. The last time I changed money here (same TT) in March 2021, I got 39 to the Pound, and it had been on that trip as low as 37 to the Pound. To some extent, for us hailing from the UK, any increase in costs has been covered by that increase in the rate of exchange. I still chuckle at all those <deleted>, who were forecasting the rate to go down to 30 and lower as a result of Brexit !! And yes, I do remember that it was 55 back in 2013, but the Baht is not strengthening against the Pound at this time !

Having only just arrived in Patts (to see my lovely wife !), I expected to find it a morgue !). However, although very quiet, it seems to be reviving quickly. My favourite music bar on Pratumnack is open, and getting a beer does not appear to be difficult ! Last night, the Music Festival was crowded and most enjoyable. Admittedly, Walking Street was a sad sight, but once the ban is lifted, I not think it will be too long before it becomes a semblance of its former self ! Partway lives !

Just to expand on the process. Getting off the plane, you come to the Thailand Pass section, where you sit and wait for some girls who check your Pass documentation, you then go on to Immigration, where you are stamped in, then collect baggage from carosel, then through Customs where you are met by all the hotel bus people. Bit of a scramble there to find your bus, but they know you are coming and are looking for you ! Then into bus and on to hotel, where they take the test.