I know a convenience "store" way down on Sukhumvit under a set of skywalk stairs where factory workers hang out after their shifts to grill on a hibachi and play dice... You can't actually go in, but the metal gate of the store front is open wide enough to pass things back and forth. I am pretty sure they are still selling beer.

Not everyone qualifies for a Non-O visa... But it is probably a really solid option for a lot of people.

My Thailand experience isn't as relevant as facts on the ground... The program has existed in some form for 17 years and has almost 10,000 members... none of them seem to be complaining. The one thing that even a first timer like me can tell you about Thailand, is that money talks...

Mark... What happens if anything happens ever and things change differently from now? If you live day to day, it makes sense to question what may or may not happen at some time in the future... I mean, what if there was a global pandemic and the world's stock markets dipped 30%? All kinds of things happen that you can't reasonably plan around... So you deal with whatever it is when and if it happens. The program has been around a while, and I have not heard of one person not getting what they paid for.

It was the only real option I had being under 50 and unmarried and not interested in working or going to school in Thailand... Having said that, it is nice not having to figure out which combination of visas I can exploit to live in Thailand. It is also not really that expensive compared to the hoop jumping and costs of most long term stay options (in most countries, not just Thailand). When I lived in Europe, I spent almost that much on agents and fees and travel to embassies to get long term visas.

If you think of it as 100,000 Baht per year (or less on some options) to not have to think about or deal with visas, then it's a pretty good deal. You don't have to be rich for this to be a good option... You just need to figure out your long term plan and factor in the costs associated with what you are trying to do. If you think it would be cheaper to rush in to a marriage to get a cheaper visa, you should strike up a few conversations in a bar when they reopen... A lot of people parked on Thai barstools with experience regarding the expense of marriage. :P

Send me 3000 baht instead. You have no better chance at getting in, but at least I am not going to lie to you about it.

This is a service that has been available for a while, but it is now being marketed to people that are living on tourist visas. I don't think the fast track immigration officers are going to ignore your history just because you paid to skip the line. Just know that if you are denied entry, you are probably not getting a refund...

I do not understand the need for a Thai bank statement for a SETV. What is that all about?

If you do the math at 5, 10, or 20 years increments, the Thai Elite visa is way cheaper than marriage.