Caldera

Was that at the main immigration office or at BluPort?

I couldn't help but think along the same lines. Oh the irony. That's something guys on a "marriage visa" should always consider anyway - you're just one divorce away from needing another visa option, too.

The official rule was indeed rescinded, but that doesn't stop some IOs from still using it as a guideline for their scrutinizing of visa exempt entries. In reality, there isn't anything you can do when you encounter such an IO (s/he certainly won't be impressed by a link to the website saying that the rule was rescinded). If anything, being polite has a higher chance of success than being argumentative or coming across as entitled.

Any outbound ticket will do, it doesn't matter to which country.

And what else can you do, given the sad state of English in Thailand?

Nowadays it's best to avoid any avoidable overstays, as immigration isn't as relaxed about them anymore as they used to be. Personally, I'd either leave on time or get those extra "7 days to leave the country" from immigration.

This really depends on your individual embassy, there's no hard rule. Factors like your age might come into play as well; does the consular officer believe that you likely have the time and the means for long holidays or is it more likely that you (ab)use your extended stays in Thailand to work here illegally.

Thai embassies and consulates have a poor track record of providing correct information on immigration matters. If you're lucky, the information they provide about their own services (such as visa requirements) is correct and up to date. A better source for information about immigration matters is - immigration! But as there's no official limit for visa exempt entries by air, you won't get a definitive answer from them either.

Unless the re-entry permit holder isn't eligible for visa exempt entry. Then it isn't quite so simple.

You're wrong about that. If YOU (not: one of your passports) stay in Thailand for 179+ days per tax year, then YOU are considered a tax resident. Using several different passports makes no difference whatsoever.

They don't accept proof of income, only money in the bank.

Ultimately it's a question of preference based on how much you want to travel around etc. With the multi-entry visa, you need to leave every 90 days, which is one reason why many people prefer the extension route. Also, nowadays not many places still offer a multi-entry Non-O visa based on retirement. I think Savannakhet still does.

No. To get a Non-O retirement visa, you need to meet the financial requirements for an extension based on retirement (800,000 baht in the bank). For a SETV, you only need to show 20,000 baht in the bank.

You can still do border runs there, it's a friendly border crossing.

If you're the kind of guy who needs to tell himself that in screaming capital letters, then no, chances are that you aren't.

Awww, yet another job that Big Joke didn't get.

This "innovation" sounds like a clumsy and cumbersome experience. No thanks.

You have to be pretty dumb (or distracted) to step into an elevator shaft when no elevator is waiting for you. Some more details about how exactly this happened would have been nice.

Yes. At Ban Pakkard, or rather on the Cambodian side (Phsar Prum), it can be a real challenge to track down the officer who issues the visa on arrival at times. That can add quite some unpredictable time waiting to the process.

I think you'll find that people who get denied after the 3rd or 4th time maxed out those 3-4 visa exempt stays, maybe even with extensions, with very little time spent outside of Thailand in between. For relatively short visits (compared with the time spent outside of Thailand), it's still perfectly acceptable to visit Thailand visa exempt frequently.

Nowadays they all go to Ban Laem or Ban Pakkard.

Proof of a ticket OUT is usually required. But their website also mentions a ticket IN, and that isn't usually asked for if you travel overland and have a hotel booking in a border town. How strict they will be with their requirements could well depend on your history in any case.

It really depends. For some people, it's a long way to their immigration office. And having to wait for hours can also be avoided by making an appointment online (which is a separate option from this so-called "online extension" that still requires a visit).

Spot on. Flying business class, the boarding pass is all it takes, there's no voucher anymore.

I think, for this to really take off, they'll need to get rid of the requirement to show up at the immigration office in person. I'd guess they'll get there, eventually.