DrJack54

So fly where? Travel to Bangkok and fly where. He could consider flight DMK to Udon Thani and minivan to Nong Khai. Since he wants 90 day stay...in hindsight should have entered with tourist visa and obtained 30 day extension

He doesn't need fly out and back. He can do a border bounce for his second 45 day visa exempt entry.

Regarding bank account with tourist visa you are best to use an agent. Not too expensive and best option in Bangkok as the residence certificate would be difficult. Agents such as Siam Legal , ThaivisaCenter etc can open bank account. Most agents deal with Bangkok Bank which is fine as they are one of 3 or 4 banks that WISE can transfer amounts over 50k baht.

Your concerns about travel are down to lack of experience. You really should embrace it and become confident. VERY safe country imo. As for border run you have options. For folk living in Bangkok it's easy. Just one example. Fly DMK to Udon Thani (one hour flight time) and take minivan to Nong Khai border (straight flat trip not far) If you want to make trip out of it spend couple nights in Udon Thani. For me the bar area near Central Plaza is very chill area. There are threads about that border run and others.

Completely safe. As to which border. That depends where you are located..

OP, Myanmar not open so Kanchanaburi not an option. Think you will not find many flights to KL from HH. You would need travel to Bangkok and fly from there. Very messy option for just couple of days in KL. Thinking you need look for alternative.

Yes.

He was referring to two visa exempt entries via land per calendar year. That is a rule. Via air visa exempt entries have no written limit however in reality continuous back to back stays in Thailand not possible. Spending time out of Thailand between visa exempt entries via air helps. The OP has been in Thailand for some time it would seem. A flight out and return visa exempt would not be recommended. Best advised to obtain a tourist visa.

No such rule. OP, given your record of length of time in Thailand it would be extremely risky to fly out and back in visa exempt. You would be advised to obtain a tourist visa . Better to do land border bounce. Reenter visa exempt. Can do this twice per calendar year.

Yes you can do 2 visa exempt entries via land per calendar year. Each one can be extended by 30 days for 1900 baht. So your entry via air plus 2 border bounce each entry with extention is 45+30+45+30+45+30. Ample time to sort yourself out.

Trust me you are completely confused on requirements for 90 day reporting.

Have you checked those flights availability and cost. Thinking land border bounce would be better option.

Most likely mentioned this earlier in the thread. Be aware...nothing stopping you entering thailand visa exempt (45 days when you are planning. Plus 30 day extension. Add couple of border bounce visa exempt entry+ extension would give you lot of time to access your options in Thailand. You can obtain a non O from that pathway.

You would be hard pressed to find report of that being required by immigration upon arrival.

What the heck are posts like this got to do with anything. For many folk immigration office is not handy. BTW you can do it online in one minute. The confirmation will come soon enough no need to hold your breath.

Nothing to do with airline clerks where you live. If you had onward flight that's all they could/should ask about. Re your comment re exit Thailand without reentry permit and io being helpful pointing that out... In my experience that is standard. At DMK reentry permit is just other side of passport control and every new extension I obtain permit at airport. They always mention it when I'm exiting first time on new extension.

Not issue boarding pass or if lucky allow you to sign waiver or you book onward flight.

The reentry permit is no big deal as that can be purchased at airport multi 3800 for those using extensions from a non O. Having said that if I was married it would clearly be the option I would choose as (pre covid) I exited Thailand a lot. Added to no financial requirements and no dealing with immigration requirements such as under consideration period and home visits etc. Excellent option.

Perhaps lost in translation. You mention that you used a fully refundable flight. Yes that is one of the many ways to cover potential request for same by airline at departure. You state...."merely as a matter of respect". Bit thick. You are entering visa exempt with a onward ticket that you will obtain refund for.

For the OP first extension he will not have history of monthly transfers. Nor can he provide embassy letter re income. He would need to use money in the bank method. 800k seasoned for 2 months prior to application for extension.

Never heard of anything remotely like that. Airline at check in would possibly ask for an onward flight if you did not have reentry permit or current visa or possibly ask nothing.

The OP, would be obtaining a non O and extentions. For the non O and subsequent extension he will not be able to use income method which would also be same for combination method.

Your account is pretty typical. Flying from nearby countries Vietnam etc ..almost certain to be asked for onward flight esp with low cost airlines such as AirAsia. The Waiver form that you signed is also a common option provided by the airline. Definitely good to be aware of and sometimes comes about by asking check in clerk to request someone further up the food chain.

OP, I misread your post as your friend did NOT plan to marry. When I read @OJASpost realized that indeed it is his plan to marry. Obviously the ME non O marriage as mentioned earlier is good option. Be aware that a non O obtained at Thai immigration with annual extensions does not have difficult financials. All up amounts to 400k in bank for 2 months + under consideration period. Then the funds can be used. One option would be to come to Thailand on visa exempt (soon to be 45 day) and obtain extension. couple of border runs wash and repeat. Gives plenty of time to marry. Then he can opt for the ME non O from eg Savannakhet or the non O marriage obtained at immigration.

First up it doesn't need to be return. Any onward flight within 30 days will be sufficient. All the options of how to do this are covered in link to another thread. Read through that thread and you will understand your options