@Iain ********

And the point is that many aren't legally hotels. Yes, though it is true that it is an obligation on hosts in general but an obligation that unlicensed hotels will be particularly unwilling to action. In fact the charges that everyone is concerned about are probably more likely to put you off asking for copy TM30 than as an income stream. It would be a pretty poor income stream, meaning how likely is it that a hotel guest will ask for a copy TM30? Surely, it must be close to zero, simply not usual.

@Manfred *********

Got it in one. Supposing they don't have a business licence?

Slight issue: Soi Nana is in Chinatown not Sukhumvit.

@Ruth ******

Wise just send a message to pay them giving their account details for BACS payment. It arrives and they send on. You don't have to have the new-style account unless they are forcing people toward that now. I use Wise regularly but to be honest keep forgetting to change to the new account style. One day I'll remember if only to get the card. Talking of cards, that is another way of paying Wise after having set up your transaction.

You can also still do it the old-fashioned way. Set up the third party payment, then transfer money to Wise. When your covering payment has reached them they send it on (in Thai Baht) to the recipient.

The deal here is that many foreigners are employed here in catering, following say French or Italian cuisines. That seems to say that there must be exceptions to the blanket No in catering if you have experience in specific cuisines and, no doubt, can prove it by certification. I have also heard of Indians working in the industry meaning coming from India. Presumably the same applies? The point though is the question of Indian Thais. I think the reason for so many Indian restaurants is Indian Thais, so no question of work permits, etc - they are Thais. Often this will be where staff are found, because of networking, though many will be staff in family restaurants. Your need is to network in finding all industry details, formal and informal. Finding Indian Thais, if at all possible, to work for you would be perfect. Unhindered access to their labour (I think bringing people in could be one year max, but there must be exceptions for senior staff?????), no work permits, etc and they count toward the usual quota of 4 Thai employees (more accurately 4:1 and note that is a rule of thumb and there are exceptions downward).

@Us ****

Yep. I'm British so just can't get my head around the word "Expat". I'm in self-imposed exile. "Exile" seems to fit my picture bang-on!

@Stuart ********

Yep all correct - but the information from VFS/the British Authorities doesn't make it absolutely clear that you keep your old passport up until the time that your new one is in your hands and you have signed, approving that the new passport is correct. Then the old one gets the snip and is no longer valid, but only then. I applied for a new UK passport in May and already the process was down to 5 weeks, though 11 weeks quoted.

Depends on your nationality. Americans get preferential treatment because of Treaty obligations

@Luc ***********

Exactly. Far from over-thinking everybody is under-thinking and that includes it being as simple as getting an International Drivers Licence. Next step is driving within Thai law. Third step is your family setting up a Go Fund Me page as your Western travel or Health Insurance won't pay for the numerous bits of you being put back together given, say that you weren't wearing a helmet.