Rob Browder

Not being grifted-upon. Why did you use the word "babble"? Can't make a point without an insult? So, you hope more Thais cannot get decent jobs, by forcing more foreigners away to other countries. I like Thais, so do not share your ill-will towards them, nor those who like living here. I am on annual extensions of stay, for years now, btw. Much "cheaper" than Visa-Runs, so I guess that makes me a "bad person," in your view - living in some strange reality where throwing money around carelessly is a virtue. On the contrary, they hope we stay as long as possible and keep spending.

A flight out of Thailand (does not have to be "return") is likely needed to board your plane. If you are questioned upon-entry, it also helps with that process - and proof of where you will stay could also be demonstrated, as well as 20K Baht worth of cash to show. How likely you are to be questioned at all depends on how much time you spend in Thailand and how often.

In general, there is public-transport and often cars for hire, out of any of border crossing - so, yes, no need to stay at the border-town.

No, I read the Israeli press reports, primarily - and have seen videos the IDF release, themselves - bragging about the things they are doing. It is apparently not permitted to report here, what anyone can read in Ha'aretz and other Israeli sources, but it is no secret to those not in a "curated" bubble. See also the shocking polls of approval of such behavior by the local-public there, who are not sheltered from the horrifying truth. I suggest you stop relying on Western MSM sources, and read what they publish / post in Israel.

Regarding history, you might want to look into the split among Jewish Americans during the Civil War; they were on both sides of that conflict and with regard to slavery-policy, which was only one of many factors in that war. Recall that slavery was "normal" around the world, until European nations began to ban the practice - carrying that policy world-wide. Returning to the present, I suggest you familiarize yourself with the political players in both parties. You will not find any evidence of "antisemitism" in either branch - not in staffing, think-tanks (R or D flavors), etc. In both major parties, and from libertarians to communists, there is no "antisemitism" evident. There are tiny elements in the far right which are antisemitic, though they don't influence Republican policy. On the Left, you should investigate who organized and funded Antifa (both historically in Germany, and recently in the USA) - you might be surprised. Historical facts are not "anti-group" anything - they are just the "who, what, when, and why" of understanding history.

Yes, if only Israel hadn't invaded Lebanon, instigated that civil war. And, if only the USA hadn't backed their play, resulting in the death of US Marines who never should have been in that war-zone in the first place. Reagan subsequently withdrew. Now they are trying to suck us in again - this time, to attack Iran. I don't have any investments / interests in the Middle-East - nor do 98% of Americans. This should NOT Our Problem. And, the CIA should have never overthrown the democratically-elected govt of Iran in the 50s - see "Operation Ajax," now declassified - which started that bad-blood - as a favor to British Petroleum and Exxon.

Nevermind why - TiT is always the answer to such questions. I laminated mine, as it was starting to fall apart.

Sounds like it was pushed back down to a subordinate. I would expect another request for more documents - but who knows.

When did Bibi agree to ANY cease-fire proposal? Every time the other side agrees, he adds more conditions to prevent an agreement. Then, he assassinated the negotiator for the other side. The Palestinians have no "partner for peace" since PM Rabin was killed by a member of the Israeli right-wing, for trying to bring about a permanent settlement (Oslo process) - after being bashed by the Likud Party, et-al. Even Trump admitted, in an interview some years back, that Bibi did not want a settlement.

With either of those visas - or even if staying on visa-exempt entries - over 180 days = taxable. A work permit does not affect this - is only used for working "In Thailand" / for a Thai company. I see no reason anyone would by an Elite visa, any more - is a huge chunk of money, and there are many better options. The DTV is a good choice - gives you 5 years to consider options, and see what happens. I would start by checking the double-tax agreement, if exists, between your country and Thailand, to see if you would owe anything here, after paying your taxes there. Also consider there are personal-deductions here - so a small amount of income is not taxable. If you do owe taxes here, then you would apply for a Tax ID. If you set up a savings account here, you will receive interest (not much), which is tax-deducted, and can apply simply to get a refund on that.

On the contrary, many on the Left have long acknowledged the fact that our govt is run by-and-for special interests, who install their own players in govt = "the deep state." The left-grassroots recognized this LONG before the current Trump-supporter types picked it up. I despise the "MAGA" excuse-makers for Trump. He broke all his promises, which could have improved life for working-folks and ended the forever-wars. He should have been shunned for this - but they cheer for their "face" vs the "heel" as if it is a WWF show. The "Orange Man Bad" types on the other side are also ignorant, as evidenced by their also-incorrect claims about Trump. Try asking members of either group about easily verifiable facts, and they will just repeat a bunch of lying talking-points from "their side."

Nice try. Anyone who doesn't support the actions of a nation-state "hate" the majority ethnic-group who live in it? You can't argue the facts, so go for the race-smear. Typical. Nevermind how many of the demonstrators happen to be Jewish. Israel's actions are "terrorist" in nature - further bolstered by members of the ruling coalition publicly justifying the anal rape of prisoners.

There are many agents in Bangkok who just do "hand holding" - no money-skipping - and others who do it all. Those doing retirement-based extensions starting from a Non-OA Visa entry have the same 400K min-limit year-round, and also must buy health-insurance. Those on an initial Non-O visa do not. I have never seen anything written by immigration saying the 400K-minimum requirement was related to health insurance. The changes to the financials which required the 800K to remain in the bank for 3 months AFTER the extension is granted, the 400K minimum year-round, and shutting down income-letters for many foreign-nationals, were to increase agent-revenue - nothing more.

Based on my experience at CW, those with agents walk in, their agent texts someone, they walk to a booth (no queue), walk back out ~1-minute later, and that's it. My experience, not using an agent, was more cumbersome. That difference is one reason folks would use agents.

As you have no recent long-stay history in Thailand, the choice of border-crossing is mostly irrelevant - though I would avoid the Poipet/Aranyaprathet border from Cambodia, as they are generally unhelpful. Your decision to come via a land-border is wise - just in case of issues. In general, you could be asked to show a flight-out (to anywhere) within the permitted-stay given, a hotel-booking (can be just a few-days), and 20K baht worth of cash (in any convertible-currency). They generally only ask this of people with recent longer-stay histories - but maybe your old-ban could flag you for this treatment. What DOES matter, is that the immigration database does not flag you as banned. All entry points will deny-entry for this. Hopefully, your lawyer is correct, in which case you will be fine. I recall old reports of banned-status not being revoked after the ban-period had passed, but they have apparently / hopefully updated this in your case.

You may not be able to obtain a Non-O in Thailand with the letter, but I do not see why you could not obtain a 1-year extension, which is a separate process. I would come to Thailand with a 90-day, Non-O Visa based on retirement (not the Non-OA 1-year), if possible. If that is not available at the Thai consulate in your home-country, then I would get it in Savannakhet Laos, as others have reported. In this thread, a fellow used an income letter to get a 1-year Multiple-Entry Non-O based on retirement there. In your case, you would only need the single-entry - then apply for the 1-year extension at immigration in Thailand.

You would need to cancel your Non-B extension at immigration in Thailand. Others are better experienced in detailing the process of closing a company, which I have never done. But, a letter where "the company" gives you a "will cease working on <date> letter should work. You could own part of a company without obtaining a work-permit, so I do not see any reason you would need to show proof you closed the company. With that letter, Immigration will change your "permitted stay" to the same date in the letter. Failing to do this can lead to problems with immigration in the future.

= installing a social-credit type financial-system, to control people via the ability to control and even "turn off" individual's ability to spend money, at the whims of a ruling elite. The 10K Baht is the cheese to lure the mice into the trap - to convince people to install their own chains. Wasn't it reported that her father met with the other party's guy on the golf course, and traded not re-classifying cannabis as a "narcotic," for the other party's support for the "Digital Wallet"? It seems he always supported it - though I stand to be corrected, if he has ever stated otherwise.

I don't envy his "lifestyle," but I do wish I had come here sooner in life - so he has that on me.

I would guess tourists pay those prices - and expats with a lot of money to burn. If I were single again, and really, really lonely for female companionship, I would rather spend a few hours at a beer-bar playing "connect 4" with some gal, talking about whatever, than some overpriced, brief, pseudo-sexual encounter which leaves one as empty-feeling as they started, an hour after it is over. Miss the female-touch? Go for a massage. Sure, the P4P scene in Thailand is a novelty, when one first arrives here - but I have never understood the obsession with it, for anyone here any length of time.

So, same-same like in our homelands in the "West," then.

"Not being Trump" is THE reason she could win. The inverse is also true, where "Not being a democrat" is the reason Trump may win. By and large, Americans are voting for who they hate less - most people wishing we had other options. None of the rest is relevant, as she will just rubber-stamp and propagandize for the policies of the party-faction's deep-state goons, just like Biden, Trump, Obama, Dubya-Bush, etc. Sadly, we "get to vote" for "actor and spokesman," only. The policies we all oppose remain unchanged. Both party-factions agree on the most important issues - and in direct opposition to the will of people on both the left and right - hence the need to play-up "wedge" issues, and demonize candidates (actors), to make the "Show" entertaining and engaging. One open-question is whether the D-faction's deep-state players will get the USA into world war 3 more slowly than the Lindsey Graham types would. But, if Gloria Nuland returns under Harris, all bets are off on that potential upside. There is the wild-card of RFK-Jr, who tells the truth about the Ukraine conflict, health issues, and other corruption - but, unless he can put a few hundred million dollars into ads on cable-networks, so older Americans can find out his actual positions, he doesn't stand a chance. Winning among under-30s won't win any states.

I assume you are not aware that Mossad admitted funding Hamas from its infancy, and Bibi was a huge supporter of that policy? This was a strategy to split support from the PLO, and to create a situation where they had "no partner for peace," so they could continue expanding Israel's borders, and ethnic-cleansing those annexed zones. Trying to label anyone who opposes a war, where tens of thousands of civilians are being slaughtered in an open-air prison-camp, as de-facto "supporting terrorists" is a new-low in double-think propaganda. Orwell warned us - and "our" govt appears to use 1984 as an instruction-manual. Then, you bring Russia into it - as if we cannot see how the NATO powers have created the current conflict - not only in Ukraine, but including other long-targeted for "regime change" countries, who understandably opt for support from Russia, in response to being threatened by the West.

Translation: "If you don't enjoy supporting corruption / graft, then you should not be here." You are equating "not being able to afford a visa run" with happily being ripped-off by kleptocrats, as part of the package. I assume you mean annual-extensions, rather than "visas" - where the choice is often "rigamarole" or "pay the agent." Same, same. Exapts fund jobs here with every foreign-currency spend they make - and pay VAT taxes, as well. As to employers and employees in Thailand, have you heard of the BOI? I previously worked at a BOI company, where a significant portion of staff was foreigners with needed expertise in business-roles. I would re-consider your anti-Thailand attitude - pushing for expats to leave and support Cambodia and Laos, instead, which would result in unemployment for multiple Thais per expat pushed away. The MFA understands this, which is why they have made changes, recently. Only Immigration has a problem with it, as it reduced agent-income. And, if you have lived in many of those areas, as I have, you know that there is considerable poverty in many of them. This situation is alleviated by those born in them being able to work in better-paying jobs, which are funded by foreigners. That's why so many are found working in foreigner hot-spots - and why they HATED the "crack downs" on "too long tourists" more than anyone else. They would not leave their families to work in those areas without a financial-incentive, and we are that incentive. With the decline in factory-jobs, this is even more critical now. Please stop discouraging foreigners from helping them by spending our money here, and turning a blind-eye to the corruption-abuse which drives many away.

Once one understands that Imm-staff do not get those jobs for "salary only," then the discrepancy in policy makes sense. They view longer-term people as targets for "tribute" payments - a tradition going back centuries. Those who fail to make such payments pay for their "insolence" by being put through the ringer. Having to provide fresh "bank-money proof,' related to an already-verified/issued retirement extension, simply for moving permitted-stay stamps to a new passport (report above in this thread), is the perfect example of this. The MFA is not part of Immigration's system - apples and oranges. They are currently being tasked with trying to help Thailand make up for a loss in export-revenue - increasing foreign-capital flows into Thailand, by encouraging remote-working expats to live here / spend their paychecks here. That is what the DTV is for. The 60-day visa-exempt was similarly-motivated - including allowing it for reasons other than "tourism" (visiting family, etc) - helping folks bypass the immigration rigamarole for such stays. In reaction to the 60-day exempt rule, the border-entry points who process vans of agent-folks have already upped their fees - including a reported 2K extra-fee for those on a Non-Imm stamp or visa - the latter of which has long had an "agent-assisted" path for 12-month extensions. We shall see what the "fee or rigamarole-treatment" is for border-bouncing on a DTV - it should be entertaining reading here, in the future.