I don't know why people go to Penang. All I see on Facebook posts is every increasing problems for visas in Penang. Plenty of other consulates with less problems and requirements.

Let me know how he goes getting a visa extension then ;)

Citizenship has everything to do with it. She is Thai so she doesn't need a visa and both of them can't aply for a visa extension for a foreigner based on a thai in hospital. Nice idea, but there is no rule on visas for this reason. So there is no fiction, there are only rules.

Why would the Dr write a letter for the Swiss boyfriend of a Thai woman in hospital....??

So in other words.....anyone can buy a condo and anyone can also buy an elite visa....

It is called a retirement by pretty much the entire population of Expats in Thailand.....and it is visa based on retirement....and it is often listed as 'retirement' on visa documents.......so it is safe to call it a retirement visa......or there is the extension based on retirement......as long as people also know the technical OA visa and extension of O based on retirement..........

This is not a visa for buying a condo though. It is still buying a condo and also buying an Elite visa....

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.