Hi, I rode to Phnom Penh around May 2019. From BKK took bus to a stop near Amata (nth of Chonburi). Then rode Phanat Nikhom (night 1), Ban Nong Dok (road 3259 - night 2), Pakplern resort (cnr of Hwy 317 - night 3, some roadworks heading south on 317, so I got off that onto 3049? before long), cheap 24h place a bit north of the border crossing (night 4).

Crossed into Cambodia at Banpuggard / Phsar Prum (no problems at all with the bike, I think I was charged about US$30, maybe US$5 'extra'). Krong Pailin (night 5).

Battambang (night 6). 

I found traffic from the border to Battambang to be reasonably quiet & hence the road was quite OK (on touring bike, not road bike tires). 

From Battambang to Phnom Penh, there were some fairly long sections where the road is under construction (very rough in places & mininimal if any shoulder) & there was quite a bit more traffic. 

I got there (I think 3 night stops on the way), but really could not recommend it. 

Perhaps you could take a train or bus from Battambang to PP. 

Also crossed into Vietnam (at Bavet), back to Cambodia (on hwy 74 to Snoul), to Laos (at Tropaeng Kreal),  & back to Thailand (at Chong Mek). No problems at any of the borders (I had prearranged a Laos visa in HCMC). I expect I paid a few dubious fees at a couple of places, but not much more than maybe US$5.

Cheers & safe riding - may the wind be at your back :-).

I have also ridden Bangkok-CM, Saigon-CM etc (including Highway 11 from Lampang to Lamphun) & agree with daveAustin & MrBrad. Definitely seek out less busy roads if possible (& keep your wits about you), but I have generally found road cycling in Thailand to feel safer than here in Australia. But only you know your experience & risk tolerance.

Re dogs: I have a Dog Dazer II Ultrasonic Dog Deterrent & it has been useful on a few occassions (it seems to startle the dog just enough for you to get past - as long as the dog isn't deaf!). Otherwise I agree with the slow down technique (slow to walking pace, but be prepared for acceleration if necessary). On the busier highways troublesome dogs are rare (they probably have a short life-span).

It may be worth trying at Thanaporn Electronic Components on Prapokkloa Rd near Chang Puak Gate (search for QXVP+XR in Google Maps). Be a little careful however - some 18650 lithium batteries have circuitry to restrict their current (for safety reasons).

I got an Ò-A at Sydney near end April 2019 (about when the website changed a little I think). I did have a medical cert (doctor filled in when I got vaccinations updated - was amused by some of the questions). I did not have anything signed by JP, nothing 'bound' etc. I took copies of all passport pages, but they only seemed to want the identification page. I had a letter from Commonwealth Bank, but it was just a printout (the bank was reluctant to stamp/sign it).

I took what I had into the Consulate to ask if I needed anything else (expecting to be sent away). They were very helpful "do you want to apply now", and it was done - got visa three days later. It means my visa is dated a few days earlier than I might have hoped (dated with date I applied I think).

Very easy & painless process (apart from the visa fee).

OK thanks

Yes, the O-X seems to be very rare. I think I may have read of someone in the USA getting one. But the conditions appeared not too attractive - to me anyway. 

Thanks, $275 is better! It would be O-A for me.

Thanks Langsuan. Thats what I was hoping for!

Thanks heaps.

I asked this in an earlier topic, but maybe the title of this (& a briefer question) is more likely to get a response - I hope so!

In the Non O-A application (for Sydney) it asks for "Proposed address" and "Reference person".

Do I need a confirmed long term ('fixed') address for this [difficult - as I will be travelling at least initially], or would a shorter term hotel booking be OK? Are there implications if I later cancelled that accommodation booking & end up elsewhere (I know hotel would need to report me, or I would do so myself for TM30). 

Also, for 'Reference person in Thailand': Would a contact person at the 'proposed accommodation' satisfy this, or does it have to be someone that 'knows me' & can say I'm a decent chap!?

I hope it's OK to revive this as it is now getting close to time for me to make my visa application (at Sydney consulate). Although METV is a definite possibility, I have been keeping in mind DrJack54's comments encouraging me towards O-A and I think I have all the requirements for O-A in hand (police check, medical, bank details), except in regard to "Proposed address to stay in Thailand" and "Reference person in Thailand".

Can anyone comment on what is likely to be accepted as "Proposed address" (& pro's/con's of any options - e.g. re TM30's etc). Would it matter if my plans change later & I end up at a different address, including perhaps a different province? I understand (at least to some extent) the need to report location & try to get some evidence of this from the hotel (unless I report myself).

If I were to use the hotel where I will initially stay in Bangkok (only for a couple of nights) as 'proposed address', is this likely to be sufficient? This would also be the address I put on the entry form (TM6?). The hotel will presumably report location for TM30, although I am initially not intending to stay longer than 90 days in Thailand. 

Or, would it be better to book some accommodation in Chiang Mai (where I potentially will end up for a longer period - however I would be travelling for quite some time before arriving there). 

Also, I regard to 'Reference person in Thailand': Would a contact person at the 'proposed accommodation' satisfy this, or does it have to be someone that 'knows me' & can say I'm a decent chap!?

overherebc: Yes, I was contemplating a 'throw away' booking (not familiar with making a booking I wouldn't need to pay for). But as ubonjoe says it's not necessary I will probably go without. I will make sure I have 20k baht with me - I'm aware of some reports of DMK 'issues', but I suspect I'm not in an 'at risk' profile. If I get sent back to KL, I'll just ride my bike up from there - have done that before :-). 

DrJack54, Thanks those were the considerations I was thinking about, but it's looking like a multi O-A could be difficult without a reasonably 'fixed' place of abode in Thailand. Thanks for the advice. 

Thanks. Was contemplating the O-A now in case rules for that get changed also. But probably best for me to leave that until the current kerfuffle has died down. Keep it simple for now.

Thanks, I was starting to think that. 

However, still a little concerned re potential for problems at DMK if I don't have a booked flight out of Thailand within 60/90 days (or perhaps problem boarding airline in Aus or KL - Airasia).

Just bumping this in the hope of some reply (or am I asking too much?). 

Hi!. I'm hoping for some guidance re visa application in Australia (METV or perhaps NonImm O-A). I've been lurking (& I think learning) for a long while, but still could do with some help ...

Me:

In Australia (Sydney), over 50, retired, able to meet both 65k and 800k O-A criteria. I have travelled to Thailand a number of times over the last few years (60 days on SETV in mid 2018, visa exempts for 2 weeks in early 2017, & 3 weeks in 2014). I have toured by bicycle & hope to do that also on my next trip (I understand the risks as I have done so previously - I try to be careful, but realise that's no guarantee of safety, either in Thailand, or Sydney).

Plans:

I have booked flights to Thailand (DMK) in mid-May, leaving (from DMK) toward the end of August (i.e. over 90 days between flight in & flight out). During this time my intention is to tour & exit Thailand overland (by bicycle) & re-enter (again likely by bicycle) so that I do not exceed a 90 day stay in Thailand. 

It is likely I will want to return to Thailand within the next 1 - 2 years, possible for a longer stay. Hence I am contemplating a NonImm O-A (Multi-Entry AUD 550) as an alternative to METV (AUD 275). 

Visa requirements & my questions:
1. RE METV: I understand that an METV permits 60 day per entry, so I would need to either exit before that, or obtain an extension. 

Sydney's Thai Consulate-General website & visa forms for METV indicate a need for

a) Confirmed accommodation under your name for the duration of your stay in Thailand (although the form itself only asks for  'Proposed address in Thailand').
Question: Do I just put my first nights accomodation booking here (I think that's what I did last time)? My intention is to find accommodation as I go.

b) A copy of airline ticket indicating the date of arrival to and departure from Thailand.
Question: In view of reports re DMK entry problems with METV, is a ticket out before 60 days advisable (even though I intend to exit by land)?

c) The form has spaces for First Entry and Second Entry flight details, & Duration of Proposed Stay. 
    This is problematic, as plans between initial entry and final departure will be fluid. 
Question: Any suggestions on how to deal with this - I suppose keeping 'Duration of Proposed Stay' below 60 days would be advisable (or 90 perhaps)?

d) The form asks for 'Occupation (specify present position & name of employer)'.
Question: I am hoping 'Retired' or perhaps 'Public Servant (retired)' would be acceptable here? I think that's what I wrote last time. 

e) And of course there are other requirements which do not cause me any concern.

2. Re NonImm O-A (Multi-entry)
Sydney's Thai Consulate-General website & visa forms for NonImm O-A indicate - There is an additional form to the basic form which is in common with METV.

a) The additional form asks for more detail on the 'Proposed address to stay in Thailand'.    
Question: Do my current plans for frequent movement in Thailand (i.e. no 'fixed address') mean that a NonImm O-A is inappropriate? Would a NonImm O-A cause me difficulties in terms of things such as TM30 reporting (which I haven't quite got my head around yet)? Or, would an accommodation booking (which I could later cancel) be an acceptable solution that would not have any later consequences. 

b) The additional form asks for 'Reference person in Thailand'.
Question: Would a contact person at the 'proposed accommodation' satisfy this, or should it be someone that 'knows me' & can say I'm a decent chap!?

c) And of course there are other requirements (e.g. Police Check & Medical) which do not cause me any concern, although it sounds like convincing a JP to sign each page of the necessary documents might be challenging.
Question: It appears that there would be less potential issues (or none?) with entering at DMK wth the NonImm O-A, so that a flight booking out before 90 days would not be necessary/recommended. Is this correct?

Note: I am aware of reported problems at Poipet. My aim would be to avoid entering Thailand at that border point. 

Thanks in advance for any assistance. I would attempt to contact the Consulate-General in Sydney direct, but I have seen reports suggesting that emails etc often don't get replies.