Caldera

Yes, I had a look, but why would I fill it in? Not like there's any immediate need or benefit.

You can top up TrueMoney with cash (Thai baht) at 7-11. There's no fee. So I think it's superior to Tagthai (what this topic is about), because Tagthai forces you to exchange foreign currency at Kasikorn Bank to top it up. If you prefer to use an exchange like SuperRich or ATM withdrawals, there's no way (yet?) to top up Tagthai with Thai baht.

There's no login. It's still under development and due to start in May. So, no.

Nonsense. Once it becomes a requirement, it's just like with any other requirement, you either comply or you'll miss your flight.

I've never understood why people have asked me to show them a payment confirmation on MY phone screen anyway, it has never been a tamper-proof way to assure that a payment has in fact been made by me to them. There is obviously a perfectly safe way - to check THEIR own bank app for confirmation of receipt of funds.

Look, when e-tickets replaced paper tickets, people came up with the same kind of argument. What about people who don't have email, etc. Did that stop the airlines from switching to e-tickets? No. Will saying that not everyone understands QR codes stop the TDAC rollout? No. Travelers will adapt.

I agree, that's bound to happen.

I cannot only imagine that, I did just that yesterday, evacuating from the 22nd floor. It really wasn't a problem, for me anyway, but let's say I wouldn't have enjoyed walking UP again.

You're wrong about TrueMoney, because the TrueMoney app cannot only be used for TrueMoney payments, but ALSO for PromptPay QR code payments. I use it for both, and it works everywhere.

How many times you apply = up to you. How many times the embassy will actually grant a visa = up to them. Pay your fee and take your chances. No refunds.

What's still not clear (to me anyway) after reading this thread is what happens if someone entered visa exempt and needs to apply for a non-immigrant visa first. As per the previous thread from a few months ago, agents in Pattaya couldn't help such a TOURIST to open a bank account anymore. That was a bigger issue than just using another branch or even another bank for the yearly extensions, because opening a new account at another bank is straightforward for someone who is already on a retirement extension and just needs the next one. I wonder if that has been resolved as well or remains an issue.

I would never carry my original passport around at all times. It stays locked up either at home or at a hotel I'm staying at, unless I need it for something that specifically requires producing the original (bank, immigration). I have my Thai DL in my wallet and pictures of the relevant passport pages on my phone.

The aforementioned "transfer stamps" that they put in your new passport include one stamp that references your old passport number. Transferring stamps also means that old and new passport will be linked in immigration's system.

Were you formally denied entry to Thailand, with a denial of entry stamp put in your passport? Or did they just TELL you to go back to Laos and to stay there for 2 nights? That could make a big difference. If the IO at Suvarnabhumi Airport chooses to scrutinize your history and sees a denial of entry stamp, that certainly wouldn't work in your favor. So in that case, booking a safe entry service for peace of mind wouldn't be a bad idea.

That's interesting news, that Bangkok Bank mess seemed to be quite a stumbling block for agents in Pattaya.

Maybe you can get a representative of the BOI to explain to the school that attending school as the dependant of a LTR visa holder is perfectly fine, there should be no need to apply for an ED visa at all.

I'm surprised that the ED visa racket is still alive and well, considering that there are now "unlimited" visa exempt border runs as well as the DTV available as alternatives. But in any case, yes, you should get your current extension properly canceled at the immigration office that issued it before leaving. Just tell your school/agent and they can facilitate it for you.

I do, and I really don't get it. They should have extended the list of countries to include those and a few more. Back to Thailand though, at an event like the ITB fair in Berlin, Thailand would raise a few eyebrows if they reduce visa exempt stays for Germans back to 30 days while Vietnam continues to offer 45. What's also nice about Vietnam is that the policy has an end date clearly spelled out, so people planning a trip aren't left wondering which rules will apply once they'll travel there. Thailand's insane flip-flopping really is quite something.

Yes, while it's disappointing that Vietnam didn't extend their visa exempt program to more countries, that they give 45 days to many Europeans wouldn't make Thailand look good in comparison if they revert to 30 days.

Indeed. They're a bunch best not offended.

I'm a bit baffled how this German can have a Thai mother without ALSO having Thai nationality. I wish him luck in any case, he'll need it and his reason for being in Thailand is better than most.

Alright them, let's enjoy Thailand's beaches while we can...

How's this a "border run" if you enter Thailand at a land border (Aranyaprathet) and then fly out from an airport (DMK)? Generally speaking, what people call a border run is going out and back in at the same border crossing, usually within minutes

After the previous weeks had been noticeably better, it's quite a filthy mess right now.

That should tank the baht, which I would welcome (if for entirely selfish reasons of my own)...