Didn't they mention a few days ago that NO foreigners could enter even if they have a work permit? That may have been rescinded, but that's the last I saw.
Some people I know did this last year. If I remember correctly, you do need to cancel your work permit to convert the visa. It took them all day to get it done so I'd be ready for a long day. (This was done in Krabi.)
Garrett Greenwald The way it was explained to me here is that there are. I'm here on a long term visa and they threw the book at me during my last renewal.