@Stéfan *******

The embassy / consulate required that, when I suggested I would have a rental / lease contract provided by a Thai national to fulfill the STV requirements. Ok, would not be the first time Thai authorities mix / make things up on the go when it comes to visa / immigration. But made me go the traditional TR route that time (which with COVID extensions worked for a stay equaully long, at less restrictions).

@Stéfan *******

Sure, but WITH a valid Thai Tax-ID number. I tried to outsmart them like that as well. So no easy constructing some sort of rental contract on the fly. Either way, a stupid requirement that does not meet most visitors reality!

@Stéfan *******

BUT, and that is a big one, you need to show pre-booked, pre-paid accomodation, and that is even with every extension. A no-go in my eyes for the STV.

@Bobby *******

But only next month. Cause you actually need to be 50 years for that. They prefer old people in Thailand.

Another advise would be to (politely as you can, ideally bringing a native speaker) teach them their own rules: As more often than not, they just don't know them / or get them themselves, sadly.

I like your question and thinking. Cause indeed, the requirements for the same outcome can be very different throughout Thailand and whatever immigration office you use. That is deeply flawed and unfortunate, but an actual truth. Unfortunately, there isn't an absolute answer to that, as particular requirements and procedures tend to change even at the same offices. So all I can advice is: 1) Start checking at the immigration office responsible to where you are staying now. And IF they make it exta and too complicated, move to another amphoe / province, stay a night and shop for more reasonable circumstances. It is in my view one of the biggest issues in Thailand, that they interpret feudalism in a way that every little sheriff can change anything to their liking, even though the underlying law and regulations of a certain visa or extension is the same. Just something we need to deal with - or better yet, to circumvent by choosing the more advantageous place.

@Karan **************

Good enough for me. But not sufficient to sort out your Thai equivalent to the designation Farang.

@Karan **************

Sorry about that. But I am sure the Thais have another nice word for people of your nationality or ethnic group as well. I might help you out with the right term if you enlighten us with the interesting fact what part of the world you were born in. After all, this is a group for helping people out. 😉

@Karan **************

And you are?

@Nigel *********************

I am not sure that a flight ticket from one’s home country is a hard requirement for an eVisa. But I am also not saying they could not ask for it. They are full of surprises sometimes.