Caldera

That's a valid point, but the fact that they haven't directly informed us existing Thai Wise account holders yet (I mean those of us who are already registered with a Thai address with them) makes me think that some details still need to be fleshed out.

Before moving an existing Wise account to Thailand in a hurry, I would wait and see which of the changes that have been discussed will actually be implemented, and how. With these things, the devil tends to be in the details.

The Phnom Penh flights get a fair share of business travelers in addition to any tourists. I wouldn't be surprised if being quiet was the norm for Siem Reap flights nowadays.

They've been laboring on this decision for that long that it will almost be time for the next flip-flop once it has been implemented. To be continued...

Rats of the same ilk.

In my 20 years in Thailand, I can honestly say that I've never had any problem that the pink ID card would have solved. I'm not saying it's a complete waste, of course, as everyone's experience is different.

Sure. A hotel usually reports your check-in via the TM30 online system. The IO who processes your extension can see this in the system. Telling applicants to bring along their TM30 receipt is good advice, for two reasons: Firstly, that ensures that they check with their hotel that the TM30 notification has been submitted before heading to immigration. Secondly, and this is "hit and miss", sometimes the pre-screening IOs at the tables where the queue numbers are handed out ask for it. If they do ask you and you don't have it, you won't get a queue number.

Then your question here is even more baffling. Surely your trusted attorney of 12 years can either do it or refer you to an equally trusted colleague with expertise in this field.

I've always considered that to be bad advice. I've always taken care of all my banking affairs on my own and I've never had any problem. Chances are they'll find one of the smarter clerks with better English for you if you show up as a foreigner. When you show up with a Thai, chances are that neither the bank staff nor the Thai you take along will make a real effort to make YOU understand what's really going on, and you could very well end up feeling like in a "Chinese whispers" game. No thanks!

Leaving aside the ever-changing rules/limits concerning overland visa exempt entries and with a focus on "organized" border runs from Bangkok, I'd say that the closure of the land borders to Cambodia (since last year) and Myanmar (since Covid) have made them a lot less feasible or endurable than in the past. You need to spend an insane amount of time on a van to get to a Lao border and back. With that in mind, unless you stay nearby a border that is both open and friendly towards DIY border runs, I think nowadays you're much better off using a safe entry service and doing your border run by air.

On what planet is that expensive?

I guess you mean "which shows an address in Germany", or your information is outdated. Because nowadays, a German national who resides in Thailand can get a German ID card with their Thai address, verified by the German Embassy in Bangkok. That can also be added to an old ID card that doesn't have any address.

A Thai DL is often accepted for proof of address in Thailand, instead of having to go to immigration for yet another Certificate of Residence. I opened a new bank account in Bangkok this week and used my Thai DL for just that without a problem. They did, however, ALSO want a home country DL or ID card. Just as secondary ID, they weren't interested in a home country address but I'm aware that other banks have asked for that recently.

It's quite common for banks nowadays to ask for a 2nd form of ID. Do you have a valid driving license from your home country or from Thailand? That would be worth a shot. Your visa as such should be fine, but as your experience with SCB shows, you might need to try several banks/branches. An agent could definitely help if you're getting frustrated.