Thanks Robert. I have read that, but that's why I asked the additional questions. It doesn't even state proof of hotel when in Thailand, but it seems people have been asked.

I think universities should start offering degrees in 'visas - a global study of jumping through hoops'. Course based on novels by Franz Kafka :)

As I will be staying with a friend I wonder if a "Certificate of Temporary Residence" will help? I doubt it.

I have a friend in Shanghai that I wanted to visit, so the idea was to go there. Thanks for the info.

Thanks. I thought so as had read that page, but then saw conflicting information. I guess Shanghai is out.

Ah, just read your post Cheryl from Friday. You are indeed correct. Hope that impasse is somehow overcome. It seems strange to change one law and not change the other. Reminds of something Yossarian once said :)

Yes, I am confused. But I just went there and that's what they said. Prior to that my WP application was all in order and I was just going to pick up the book today. I'm not sure what to do now. I will get back to you when, or if, I know more. Obviously as he mentioned March 28th, this is related to those above changes.

Trust me, I've been looking for the official statement online. Sorry, could not find it. But that's what they said in no uncertain terms, in both Thai and English. Change in law (he said March 28th but looked confused about that date - maybe as he said that in English and could have got month wrong), and the change means no work permits issued. He said I can still volunteer - legally - but as for the extension he just said it's a matter for immigration. Quite amusingly he explained, "No work permit because not actually working." I thought, well, we know that but were just following the law.

I've just been informed of a change in the law, just an hour or so ago at the WP office in Chiang Mai. It's related to extension of stay. You'll need a work permit to extend, although now apparently the new law means they cannot issue that permit. I asked them what to do about this and they said ask immigration.

Happy to pay.