@Lincoln *****

How will anyone track your income or whatever money you spend in Thailand when you can't even have a thai bank account?

Soft power is easier, less documentation needed.

I have seen some get it. It's METV and it's valid 6 months from the day you get it, and every time you enter Thailand you get 60 days which you can extend 30 days. I had that visa once, it gave me almost 9 months in Thailand with visa runs.

I think it's like reviews. If you had a bad experience you are much more likely to write a bad review and/or tell others about than if you had a good or expected one. If you went to a restaurant and the food was bad, or took forever, or you got over charged, you would tell people about it. If you went there and everyhting was fine you probably wouldn't go on to write online reviews and tell everyone you know that it was just as exptected.

@Dee *****

You wrote that it was last year, then it was possible. This all happened this year. Currently it's more or less not possible to open a bank account on a tourist visa.

How many days did it take to get approved?

After your first time you can do it online, it's free and takes minutes. Why wouldn't you do it?

Appears to be different requirements between embassies.

I wonder why they are asking for this. I'm sure they understand nobody will prepay a booking for 6 months when it's not certain the visa will be approved, and a free cancellation booking will be used, so this requirement makes no sense.

Sunday insurance