BrandonJT

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.

I usually stay in Huai Khrai when I'm in Thailand and was just there for 2 months ending in January. Make trips to Mae Sai fairly often. What type of information are you looking for? If I don't have answers the Thais I know who live up there may.

Being poor is expensive. Most Thais don't have any other option than to buy cheap.

Then your friend either had an emergency or lied to the embassy.

All entries to Thailand (and any country for that matter) are at the discretion of the immigration officers at border control. They can deny you entry if they want for whatever reason, it's at their discretion. There are 3 requirements to enter as a tourist, but not often asked for: 1) Proof of funds (20,000 baht in cash or equivalent in another major currency) 2) Proof of onward travel (a ticket out of Thailand within the number of days you'll be stamped in for, not counting any potential extensions) 3) Proof of lodging (most often a hotel booking for the first few nights)

You would have been fine going to Chiang Khong. You just have to spend 2 nights in Laos now (which you did in Nong Khai as well) and they might have asked to see your flight back to Germany as well as 10,000 baht in cash. Not sure if Nong Khai is enforcing those other requirements or not though. There is no such thing as a 15 day entry stamp for someone with a passport from a visa exempt country.

Your UK drivers license should be acceptable. It's one of the recommended things to use for this if it has an address on it (some country DLs do not have an address). There shouldn't be any issues accepting a bank statement from a Thai bank account showing the required visa funds.

Fast track now has automated gates as well as of about a month or two ago.

If they accept it, yes. As they need your passport number in order to file a TM30 for you.

There's no such thing as a 30 day visa exempt anymore.

In Thailand, always print everything.

Most people now leave through automated gates and do not receive an exit stamp.

There are many reasons that could trip you up if you previously used an agent that would prevent you from doing it yourself. You'll find out when you go. If they accept your application then you should be fine, otherwise they will basically tell you that they will not do it and you will either need to use an agent again or you will need to exit and start over.

You apply for the visa where you live. You'll need a copy of your lease/rental agreement at most offices and a TM30 from where you stay. The detailed list is something you need to get from your immigration office. Go there ahead of time and ask them for their handout to do a conversion to non-O retirement visa. At the same time ask them for their handout for the 1-year extension as you'll be applying for that 2 months after you apply for your visa conversion.

December