BrandonJT

I'm assuming, it's for ตม (TM) which is Thai for immigration and the source of all the form numbers. TM30 = Immigration form 30, etc. But I could be wrong, as I've never seen anyone refer to immigration like that before.

They're not going to abandon the ETA for many reasons. It's the only way they'll be able to introduce automated gates on entry for one thing. Getting all of the visa exempt people in through automated gates would do the most in streamlining the entry process. And then the biggest factor, it's really the only way they'll be able to implement the tourist entry tax they've been spouting about for years now. When all that money is involved, they will find a way to get it working eventually.

Didn't they kill off the Smart visas with the new updates to the LTR?

The difference is that you are talking about 2 completely different government organizations with completely different rules.

It's your responsibility to check your passport every time you enter Thailand. The BOI has even warned about this, and that if you get the wrong stamp it can invalidate your LTR. You might want to go back to the airport ASAP and get that fixed.

No. No one gets that for any visa. That's your responsibility to keep track of.

I can make or edit a bank statement in 5 minutes. How is that verification of anything? There's a reason a bunch of the SE Asian Thai embassies were requiring people to come in and open their banking app on their phone and show the live balance along with bank statements for a while. Thailand doesn't trust foreign bank statements (as they shouldn't).

There's no way to enter Thailand without getting a stamp. The automated gates are for EXIT ONLY. You will go to a manned booth and receive a stamp when you return. Immigration at the airports has gotten better in my last few trips, but still expect them to look at your passport for a while. They seem to take forever when processing an LTR to enter. I entered through Nong Khai a couple months ago and that took ages.

Must be because they haven't finished that 10,000 baht giveaway yet. Wasn't that supposed to save their economy and drive massive GDP growth? 🤣

I dunno, the Bhumjaithai Party was so closely affiliated with the junta, it might be too much rocking the boat for that to happen. Not to mention the new party could flip over to the PPP(MFP) and give the opposition enough votes to become the ruling coalition.

The BTS had weekly and monthly cards, but eliminated them for additional profit. The likelihood of them coming back across multiple forms of transportation seem very unlikely as long as so much of the system is privatized.

The entrance fee isn't for you. It's only for Thais and it's to keep them out. The governments wants your money, not to further impoverish it's already poor population.

Those warning signs were probably the reason the business finally called for maintenance. It wasn't preventative maintenance, it was wait until the last possible moment. Guess they waited a little too long.

I very highly doubt that embassy staff have access to the Canadian tax database or other financial systems in Canada. They have no way to verify that the information is genuine and could easily be created fraudulently. They are basically admitting that they are doing the same thing that the US and other embassies were dinged for previously. They are just "notarizing" your statement and immigration will not accept that as authentic proof.

The division 3 (Chonburi) website and appointments have been done for a few weeks already. Whether it's an accident or on purpose is difficult to say. Some offices don't like the appointment system.

This is definitely limited to Pattaya, and possibly even more limited to the "high volume" agents that were opening dozens/hundreds of bank accounts per week. Outside of Pattaya it's still business as usual, and likely there are still some low volume agents in Pattaya who were using bank branches who haven't gotten flagged for opening so many new accounts.

There have been reports of the Phuket airport only offering single entry re-entry permits in the past. If you want a multiple re-entry permit, best to get it at immigration if you're already going to be there.

Stamp in your passport showing you entered the country.

TM28 is a change of address form. It's not used for extensions, it's used for when you move to a new province and need to change your address. And for the most part it's not longer used at all in favor of the TM30.

The website for division 3 has been offline for a few weeks, so no way to make an appointment for Jomtien.

Better safe than sorry. Using it to start with is better than having to re-fill out all of your forms or have to re-print all of your copies and sign with blue ink instead of black. Some offices don't seem to mind while others are very strict on it. But you'll never go wrong using it from the start.

This doesn't even mention visa exempt yet you are claiming it is the gold standard that says exactly that. Visa exempt is 20,000 for an individual or 40,000 baht for a family. Which is exactly what they ask to see at the airport if you are entering visa exempt and they ask for proof of funds.

No, not needed. Thai IT systems are not that sophisticated.

I've done it before. But it can get confusing because the system tries to use your computer/phone date and time in showing you the available appointments. So when I'm in the US it is showing me appointments for 8PM-5AM for example.

Officially it's this: If you are entering visa on arrival, you must be able to show 10,000 baht if individual or 20,000 baht for a family. If you are entering visa exempt, you must be able to show 20,000 baht if individual, or 40,000 baht for a family. It makes sense under the old 15/30 day scheme. Double the money for double the amount of time. It appears many immigration officers, especially at land borders, either don't know the rules or just default to the 10,000 baht so they can give the same number to everyone.