@Katy ******

Not anymore and this is changing globally. Western embassies in Thailand and surrounding countries often only accept payment by debit or credit card for their services but it depends on the country.

Vietnamese visas now have to be applied for online. At least short term tourist and business visas anyway.

@Ben **********

Proper is used in American English too. Innit of course is a Britishism.

@Katy ******

Huh? Many embassies worldwide are only accepting credit cards and not taking cash anymore.

Oh and also, this border will be the closest to Greater Bangkok and Hua Hin/Cha-am, for those wishing to do a border run while on the DTV. No need to go to Cambodia anymore or travel for hours down to Ranong, with it's not so friendly immigration staff and touts.

@David *******

That's what people do, but it won't help if an employee just knows "work permit" and that's it. Many banks have policies where they won't open accounts for foreigners without work permits and the only thing you can do is try another bank or branch of the same bank.

Of course, one should always walk in with a certificate of residence, as that's a firm requirement, but one would think bank staff would tell an applicant "here's what we require" rather than shooing them away (which so often occurs).

@Nigel *****

The ones that aren't open to foreigners? Well, they would be Mae Sai, Mae Sot and Phu Nam Ron (Kanchanaburi).

The latter could reopen soon (as in the New Year) but I suspect it will be for Thais and Burmese only, not foreigners (though we'll have to wait and see).

Another possibility is they might open it up for border runs again, but not for travel down to Dawei.

For Laos, insurance is purchased at the border. For Cambodia, you buy it online before travel. It's very cheap.

@Nigel *****

What do you mean? We were discussing driving across the border to neighboring countries. The rules vary depending on the country you're going to. Regarding individual borders, they have the same rules although in the case of Laos entering via the 1st Friendship Bridge, they're once again limiting Thai cars to 15 days instead of 30, though this can be extended..thus you would first get 15 days then get it extended later. Or you enter at a quieter border and get 30 days straight off the bat (something I used to do, hence why I avoided entering at Vientiane until recently) but following Covid I started entering there again.

@Henrik ****

DTV holders can stay several months, but despite this, most banks aren't issuing accounts to DTV holders at least not at this time. Most banks prefer to deal only with foreigners holding work permits. Some exceptions apply, but if you show up with a visa that doesn't have a work permit attached, it can be difficult to find a bank who will deal with you. This was already the case years ago, but has been getting progressively more difficult in recent years.

@Martino ******

Dangerous advice, LOL. There is no tax law. You're panicking over a nothing Burger.