I look at this forum so often for answers that I decided to write my experiences for others. I have applied for 3 tourists visas- one at the Thai Embassy in Rome and two at the Thai Consulate in New York. I just applied for and received a multiple entry non immigrant ED visa also in New York.

For my single entry tourist visa in Rome, the embassy required proof of my residency in Italy (at the time I was living there and had a permit of stay), a bank statement, my flight information and hotel reservations. The application had to be made in person so I had to stay in Rome for three days. On the third day, I picked up my visa. There were no problems with the documentation but it was a pain since I didn't live in Rome.

For my single entry tourist visa in New York, the consulate required my application and my money. I brought all of the other paperwork with me based on my experience in Rome and when presenting it at the counter, the employee simply waved me off. I went to the consulate in person in the morning and my visa was ready for pick up the next afternoon.

The process was identical when I returned to the New York Consulate for a multiple entry tourist visa.

For my multiple entry non immigrant ED visa in New York, I applied through a school in Bangkok in person. I paid for a 6 month course in full and the school completed all of the paperwork and submitted it. I picked up the documentation at the school after 3 weeks and while there another student suggested I try to get a multiple entry when I apply so I wouldn't have to go home again after 6 months and get a new visa to continue studying. On my application I requested 2 entries even though I thought it could be denied because my course was only for 6 months but I put in the paperwork, paid $200 and the next day I picked up my 1 year visa.

I have heard stories from other consulates and embassies and so far New York has been a breeze, it's always taken one day, no extra documentation has been required, they don't ask for proof of residency and they have no problem giving you multiple entries. If you have an opportunity to apply for a visa there, do it.

Thank you very much for sharing your experiences. It sounds like Rome is not the best place for most to get a Thai visa - even for residents. Enjoy your multiple-entry ED, which sounds like the best option available to most people, as it avoids the perpetual-nightmare of suspicion and scrutiny which those with ED "extensions of stay" deal with at immigration every month or two.

Based on the timing, I suspect the "multiple entries" you are referring to are the now-gone double and triple entry options, not the new "METV" (multiple-entry tourist visa) which replaced those in November 2015. The new METV has a list of special "extra documentation" required which are not required for the current single-entry (nor were for the 'gone' options), although, as usual, the criteria varies from one consulate to the next, even with the same nation-state.

But the worst aspect of the METV, is even if you can meet every detail of the criteria (funds / income etc), in most cases (possibly all), one must apply in one's home-country to get it - similar restriction to what you described to apply in Rome for a SETV. Given some consulates and countries do not permit applications from abroad by post, a person would actually have to "ship their body" 1/2 way across the planet, to deliver paperwork.

I am not sure what the policy is of the New York consulate, given their website (fees and application form) has not been updated to reflect the METV ( http://www.thaicgny.com/ ), but your experiences indicate it might be one of the friendlier places to attempt a postal application for a METV (made while outside Thailand, as per Thai law). Thanks again for sharing .

UPDATE, spoke with a friend who just got the METV in New York, same deal, no extra documents, just the form, your passport and your money. New York consulate doesn't give a s***

The official Thai Embassy and Consulates General in USA (as opposed to the Honorary Consulates) are very particular as to jurisdiction over which states and which residents can apply at any given Embassy/Consulate whether by mail or in-person. Friendliness is not an option.

See list here: http://thaiembdc.org/visas/ (toward bottom of page)

I'm sure it's supposed to be that way but I'm just going on personal experience. They never asked me for a driver's license or ID to prove that I am a New York State resident

Yours was an in-person application?

Yep, in person

Yep, in person

Well then maybe they just figured that no one would be silly enough to want to deal with Mid-Town Manhattan traffic who wasn't.

UPDATE, spoke with a friend who just got the METV in New York, same deal, no extra documents, just the form, your passport and your money. New York consulate doesn't give a s***

This makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.