Not needed in BKK. Pattaya or Phuket, then yes. If in hotel and guest house they SHOULD do it for you....

Exactly some of the abuse that IMM offices get is brought upon themselves directly due to disorganization, poor planning, inaccurate and ever changing information. However there is not need to be rude and disrespectful to the Officers due to the problems with the system. I always try to speak nicely no matter how much they test me, no matter what they mess up, no matter how many rules change, no matter if one day the rule is set and then the next week with a different person the rule is different. After all TIT Thailand it is not going to change. The issues experienced with immigration are small and over shadowed by the good points of living in Thailand.

I wouldn't say it is simple at all when it comes to TM30 and many other visa issues. Each day is different and the rules are often interpreted differently. One day they will fine you and the next day they won't. One day they will give you information and then next time you ask, the information given is different. So yes asking at the Imm office is good, but first hand and recent information is always better. Example, Landlords are responsible so the Tenant should not be fined....and yet the Tenants are regularly fined. A prime example of when the information given does match what actually happens.

Is the border office of a country open on a public holiday. Is this a real question...? The country doesn't close ;)

So must be closed 12th - 16th then.

Closed 16th.

So the answer to your question is YES. If the question was can you use every time guaranteed....then the answer is probably NO....

He was advised wrong. 30.

Fast Track.

Unless the plane is delayed, the bus is delayed, held up at border, held up with transport to the embassy, yes very easy ;)