@Henrik ****

No. Interesting if you don't want to do a border run. That's what this group is for.

Who cares about the price of the extension, what I'm interested in is, the criteria for extension.

How many months do you need to season the 500K for?

Can it be in a foreign bank account? What exchange rate do they use to calculate how much you have in Baht?

How much do they scrutinize your work contracts? Do they call your employer?

So far, I've not seen even one report of a successful in country extension.

@Henrik ****

You can leave Cambodia after submitting proof you are there but should NOT enter Thailand until the visa has been approved. You can however visit Vietnam or Laos or any other country in the meantime. As long as you've submitted proof of location, it doesn't really matter anymore...just don't enter Thailand, that's the Golden rule.

OK, good to know. A couple of inquisitive questions are alright. It's when they start making it sound like you've done something wrong that it's time to worry.

@Sean ******

The majority state "Employment Prohibited".

Also, IF this VIP option actually exists, then pay up. It will cost you a lot more if you're refused entry, because of your "principles" than just paying what is a relatively small amount of money.

Again, I cannot verify the existence of this VIP option on the Thai side. I'm going by the reviews I've read.

I don't think it will ever apply to me, because I will always be driving through that border. I'll never use public transportation, thus I won't ever need to go upstairs to the hall there.

@Phil *******

There are some caveats to using that border. Leaving Thailand that way is always fine. No issue.

Coming back in, if you're the driver of a vehicle (car or motorcycle), it's generally alright, as you'll get stamped in outside. Immigration outside (for drivers of vehicles) and the hall upstairs are two different things.

Apparently, according to some Google reviews, there is a 1000 Baht VIP option. I'm not sure whether paying this means guaranteed entry or not. All I can say is, do NOT enter through Aranyaprathet (Poipet is the name of the city on the Cambodian side and they don't have nearly the same reputation for refusal of entry, though it depends on your nationality, as the Thai side does) IF you do not have a visa.

Ideally, if you have a choice, choose a different border to re-enter Thailand at.

However, in my experience, Aranyaprathet has worked for me BUT that's because I ALWAYS drive my own vehicle into the country (I don't do buses or other forms of public transportation) and due to this, I can avoid the tough upstairs immigration queue with the strict immigration officials.

I also have my own policy, where I don't take foreigners with me through that border, due to how strict it is and the high chance of refusal of entry. Either I go alone or with Thai nationals (family members or friends).

@Elías *******

Tried to use one when I was on my old visa on my way out of the country to apply for my DTV a few months ago.

Actually, I didn't even want to use it. I prefer human interaction and a stamp. I was re-directed there initially by staff but it didn't work. So I went back to an officer who stamped me out, which is much better anyway.

I thought the autogates only work for those who've arrived into Thailand without a visa?

@Kevin ******

On the visa stickers, ALL of them state "employment prohibited" in the remarks section and nothing about what category you came in under.

You're assuming IOs never ask questions? Where do you get that idea from? I'm happy to answer questions as long as they're not too intrusive.

I just drove back from Phnom Penh to Bangkok recently. At a police check near the border, an officer asked me what I was doing in his district (it was evening time). I explained I went to Phnom Penh on business and now I'm driving back. He asked what kind of business, I answered and off I went. Other vehicles were pulled over and inspected more thoroughly.