Some stray shells hit Laos this morning in their south.

The border run companys are currently doing 1 day trips minivan to Laos for 5500 for westerner which includes visa for Laos. May be additional 1000 if you have extensive history in Thailand.

Probably the best solution for longer term stay. It shows you meet financial requirements to stay without illegal work suspicions

@Ar ******

your friend most likely had a lot of recent history in Thailand that flagged him, or wasn't coming in on the METV that the original question was about

@Ian *****

you can do this with your 6 month METV that you were first asking about. You not limited to 60 days on that visa. One border bounce with 2x extensions (one from each entry) will get you your 6 months. Probably the least hassle visa to get in the current times for what you are wanting to do so long as you meet the financial requirements of the visa of your home embassy

@Jarmo ********

at one of the BKK malls where very less foreigners go

Happened to me also last week. Arrived literally a couple hours before the suspension. Went to my local branch the next day with my Thai gf to get my new number registered. I needed 2 visits as they needed to send the documentation to head office for processing. They told me to come back again the next week after I received a txt confirmation that it was being processed by head office. Returned this morning and had to sign a few more papers (a repeat of some I did I last week). The staff were really helpful and doing their best but it took a little bit of time which I felt sorry for other customers waiting in line. It eventually got resolved though I needed to wait until til the evening. Staff were great although their systems from head office seemed cumbersome. If it happens to anyone just be patient. It took me 2 15 min sessions in the bank and a visit to True internet provider where they got me to deposit 10 baht and get a receipt print out to take to the bank (after buying a new sim at the airport last week)

@Todd ********

technically correct, in practise 180 days as a regular tourist is a trigger point for being questioned in some check points. Happened to me last year after maxing out METV and returning 6 weeks later on visa exempt. The 180 day reason was given by airport immigration

@Davy *********

past 12 months from when you go through immigration checkpoint - especially at the major airports.

As you are well under 180 days total in the past 12 months you shouldn’t have issues on that alone.