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Approximately a year ago, a friend arrived at Phuket, with a long history of various types of extensions trying to reenter on an agent assisted Non-ED with reentry permit. He was taken aside, grilled and when they couldn't reach his agent to discuss matters, the consensus was reached to deny him entry. They presented him the famous Denied Entry form, but he politely kept asking for help or a solution. At some point an entrepreneurial officer offered to stamp him in in exchange for a contribution discreetly slipped into the passport.

However, during a recent arrival they did take a farang to the side, sat him down at a table on the left side, and asked him some questions about either his Non-ED visa history or a fresh one he had just acquired in Laos. Don't know whether they ended up admitting him or not.

In my case, I bought CAT phones. One had FLIR thermal camera. And the most recent one a satellite connectivity option for emergencies and basic texting when ordinary signal isn't available.

Some phones are not available on the Thai market.

Although, I didn't order via Amazon but had a phone privately shipped from a family member, my phone was not on the NBTC approved list, I basically was in a similar situation a few months ago. It took me a few days of reading and calling around to find out what exactly had happened and what could be done. Officially, all phones being imported to Thailand require an NTBC license. If the phone has been approved by NBTC and is on their list, in theory, some have done it, one can go through various bureaucratic steps and apply for the license. If you succeed, most likely it will take a decent amount of time, effort and some expense. If your phone has not been approved, and thus no license can be acquired, the only way to get it, is to pay a well connected broker, who will persuade the customs officer to allow it to be imported without a license. Although, I can't speak for all brokers, but expect it to be 10k upwards. Possibly, but without certainty, it could be that the fee would drop without an agent in between. But that would require you to have face to face time with the right customs officer. Then there is the option of having it sent back, but here one enters a catch 22. In order for it to be exported out of Thailand, it requires an NTBC export license, which one either can't get or has difficulty getting. The final option, which some have succeeded in doing, is to file for a return from Amazon and buy the phone in Thailand (if available).

If you got some cash to spare, you could consider using an agent to facilitate guaranteed entry.

Recently, a friend of mine was about to apply for an agent assisted Non-ED extension and last minute immigration refused as they discovered he'd reach 50 in a few months and explained that they could/would not issue such extensions to anyone over 50 and advised he should get a Retirement extension.

Unfortunately we live in an age of trial by media and are presumed guilty until proven innocence.

A friend of mine managed for 10k. Gently kept asking for help. At some point one of the more entrepreneurial officers decided to help.

The Dutch Embassy stopped issuing these letters around January 2023. A consular staff member said it was communicated to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs that no such letters would be issued anymore. I assume the MFA has the task to inform immigration.

I am curious to hear what your favorite classical pieces are? What about composers? How often do you listen and in what setting? And does your Thai partner or friend enjoy it as well?