@Pete ******

That is where it starts. Without Thai (wife or interptreter) one can hardly do it.

No, no, no. The same iPhone 16 (from Japan) got an eSIM card from AIS Thai, I can switch from Japan and Thai.

AIS gave me a document that my Thai SIM is in my name and my passport, no mickey mouse prepaid card or mobile number from the airport..

Important is, any Thai bank will ask for it. That is to open another bank account, with Kasikorn bank.

Maybe, I said that in another post.

Go through an rental agency.

They have plenty of properties, some going 120, 000+ THB a month, those are for paid expats where their company pays.

For regular people like you and me, the max is 20,000 THB.

I can see ,in my complex 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, Hawaii style complex and size of the swimming pool, 2BR is like 15,000 THB.

@Brook *******

Nobody gives a flying fcuk about TM30 unless the guest needs something from Thai Immigration.

Come 1-2 months on AirBnB, enjoy your holiday and depart without even knowning what TM30 is or ever existed.

@Pui ****

I am the posseror of the property in Bangkok (since 2008), where i will stay until i die. Never changing my address in Thai.

I have the Yellow book (wife and daughter are in the Blue Book, as Thai nationals).

I have the Thai pink ID card for foreigners, Thai driving licence.

Filled TM30 first time in my life October 30. 2025. after 25 years going to Thai.

After that (2 days) with my Thai ID card, hotels do not even ask for my passport when I present my Thai ID card. No TM30 logged by the hotels.

I should be good for life then?

The Agency Visa industry is not regulated. Anyone can open an Visa Agency shop.

There are many reputable agencies. Mine has a good building, uniformed staff, even two ATMs within their premises.

@Anthony *******

troll.

@Pete ******

And walk on the Alaska red carpet, the bank is waiting on you.

I would love, more than anything, a story from someone first time in Thai who went through and completed the proces on their own. Do such people exist?

Maybe, but they are not telling us how they went from zero to the final result.

How those 1st timers even knew what Immigration is and where to go?

@Brandon ***********

Yes, now that I have everything sorted, if I can not get out of the agent, I may just let my extension expire, come again a month later on a new eVisa 90 days and do it myself. I am in Japan 6 months a year, no drama for me.