Quick question: I have an Elite visa that is about to expire, and I plan to switch to a Non-Immigrant O (marriage) visa. My plan was to go to Savannakhet, show my 400,000 THB bank letter, and apply there like people used to do.

But I just saw an announcement from the Royal Thai Consulate in Savannakhet saying that starting 1 January 2025, all visa applications must be submitted through the e-Visa system, and applicants can no longer submit passports or documents in person. It also says you can only apply once you are already outside Thailand.

Can anyone confirm if this is really true?

Is Savannakhet now 100% e-Visa only with no walk-ins for any visa type, including Non-O marriage visas?

Is this the same way for all other consulates?

If anyone has recent (2025) experience, please let me know. Thanks!

Do you know if new ETA system requests is working from now? I am Belgian, I don't need a visa to go to Thailand but there is a new rule since 2025. We need to ask to stay officially and it should be free of charges. I don't find any request form to ask such a thing on internet.