Can I apply for a non-Immigrant B visa from a nearby country or do I have to return to my home country?

Based on my experience and the instruction given by the visa consultant of my employer in Thailand, a non immigrant B (employment purpose) must be applied from the Royal Thai Embassy or consulate of applicant’s origin home country or residence country because one of the document requested when you submit your application to eVisa is the proof of residence address such as utilities bills.

Another crucial document in your application is WP32 (work permit pre approval). Make sure WP32 is issued.

You must enter to Thailand with the non immigrant B (3 month validity) in order to convert to one year validity non B.

Good luck!!

Normally you have to travel to where your future employer tells you to as the paperwork is usually addressed to a specific consulate

You do not have to return to your home country.

You can apply for it anywhere that you are eligible which is 95% of consulates outside of Thailand.