@Charles *********

Exactly my thoughts.

Kajetan Michalewicz Well, if you want to come to Thailand, it's going to be expensive regardless of whether you fly direct or via Malaysia.

Again, I can't see anyone being banned over something so small.

If you stole the bike, possibly a different story.

Kajetan Michalewicz You may need to hire an immigration lawyer but for your particular case, the way you described it, I don't see an issue.

Why not come over and see for yourself? Probably the best way would be to fly into a neighboring country and attempt to enter by land. If you're refused, you get bounced back to the country you just left, no big deal. At least you don't waste a whole flight ticket that way, because then at least you can explore the neighboring country you flew into (such as Malaysia or Vietnam).

@Dean ****

Not necessarily true. In theory, you're right, but in practice, some borders may require you to spend at least a night outside the country.

If you come back in the same day through a different border, that may work though.

@Rory ********

That's different, because you were going from one type of visa (visa exempt I presume) to another (DTV).

Ideally, you should spend a couple of nights outside the Kingdom between entries.

However, at some borders and in some circumstances, same day re-entries should be permitted but I wouldn't do it each time.

Once is OK but not on each bounce.

When the Myanmar borders are open, such as Mae Sai or Mae Sot, especially the latter, only a same day stay in Myanmar is allowed without a visa. Hence a same day bounce at that border is all that can be expected and is permitted without issue.

However, currently those two borders aren't open to foreigners, but should they reopen at some point in the future, expect the old status quo to return.

Yes. Applying online or via embassy is roughly the same. You choose what works better for you.

@Phil **********

Ah yes, they're apparently requiring certain documents to be notarized by your embassy, which is even more absurd.

@Robin ***********

Not true. Even for renewals, a new certificate of residency is required. A new certificate of residency is sometimes required at certain offices even when it's not needed at others, for specific tasks or requests.

Now there's the additional burden of having to get a doctor's certificate even for 5 year to 5 year license renewals, which was not the case prior to Covid.

Pop-up clinics have been established next to DLT offices for this purpose. I don't see the point...as long as you pass an eyesight test and don't have any illnesses that could affect your driving, then a medical shouldn't be necessary for those aged under around 70.

@David *******

It's quite clear you are. Break the law as a farang and experience the consequences for yourself. You're not Thai...as a farang you don't have the same sort of rights.