Big FranK

As i am over 50 years old, i use single entry non-immigrant O visa valid for 90 days. In my case, i don't qualify for extension. The lady at the embassy told me i can get as many visas as i want in a year (contrary to the Tourist visa for which you need not to have spend more than 90 days in Thailand in the last 6 months).

First time i asked for a thai visa was in the 90's, i got my visa at the embassy in three days and could ask for a tourist visa with as many entries as i wanted. No documents asked, just had to fill a form, done in 5 minutes...good old days. I don't delete the bank account number on bank statements, but i delete my client number and internet personal access number on every file i send. With the right pdf editor they won't even see the modification.

My bad. You are right, visa exemption can also be extended by 30 days at immigration center...So 75 days for visa exempt against 90 days for tourist visa.

Actually visa exempt gives you now 45 days, and 30 days more if you leave the country doing a visa run. The tourist visa still gives you 60 days, and 30 days more without leaving the country. So the tourist visa is still very relevant, 15 days more and no need for visa run.

In my case, thai embassy in Paris, it took 14 days to receive my non-imm O visa in my mail last month. Their website says the usual wait is 1 month. Only pb is that they ask for documents that are nowhere to be found in the Evisa. So i had to merge all the pdf files into one and put it with the bank statements. E-Visa for the first time was a bit challenging, but will be much easier next time.

Something is strange here. If all that the thais wanted was a nice chitchat, how could this escalate into a fight ? Thais are notorious for trying to escape their responsabilities, especially if police or foreigners are involved. Maybe their motorbike hit the car and they did not stop, who knows ? We only have the story from the thai side, and before jumping to conclusion it is necessary to hear it from the foreigners' side. Hoping the police will do its job without money involved.

Even if i usually travel business class, i never go in the special line for luggage checking or immigration. Usually there are less people, so officials have plenty of time to go through your things and ask plenty of questions. Blending in the mass of travellers is always a better option.

I don't know about the US embassy, but in France the Thai embassy says on its website that you need to provide a return ticket before 90 days (and not 60 days). So I always bring a screen copy at the airport in case they would ask me. But 90 days is fine with Thai Airways and i've never had any problem or even question, as long as i can show a tourist visa. I guess it depends on the airline. But when going from Bangkok to the Philippines without any visa, to be safe i book my return flight within 30 days, and then change my return ticket once in the Philippines.