Government offices don't close for Christmas here. It's not a Thai holiday.

If you mean December 22&25, open both days. Thailand doesn't do Christmas.

On a Thai (not Australian) METV you can exit and re-enter as many times as you like within its validity period. If you want to stay up to (nearly) 9 months, exit and re-enter on or near the expiry date, which would get you a final 60-day entry which can be extended 1x 30 days.

As for your friend, on a 30-day visa exemption can do a border hop at Mae Sai and get another visa-exempt entry. Visa-exempt land border hops are currently allowed 2 times per calendar year.

Yeah, unfortunately their technology is a bit outdated ;-)

Will be busy tomorrow due to long weekend, but best to go just before 1pm end of lunch break. Grab a number and fill out the TM7 form. You will also need 1 photo which can be done onsite for a small fee.

As a "tourist" you should just need your passport, 1 photo, and 1900 baht for 30-day extension. And completed TM7 form.

Report date Dec11 a few days early. Anyway done deal ;-)

Chiang Mai, will ask tomorrow at immigration. Thanks

Have done all reports in person or via agent several years. First try online. Looks easy, but didn't work =(

First time online. Doing them in person many times