I had a very similar positive and turbulence-free experience last week with the Kasikorn branch in Central Festival Pattaya. In and out with my new account, bankbook, Visa debit card, and working ap on my phone in less than 45 minutes.

It's a changing world - the old ways of obstruction and roadblocks for no good reason - their days are numbered.

So after being here a few years, I've noticed that during high season, things get a little lax. But when low season arrives, it's like law enforcement suddenly feels they need to justify their existence, look busy, and that's when we get all the motorbike helmet checks, round-ups of illegal foreign workers, crackdowns on drunk driving and drug offenses, etc.

Once high season and millions of tourists come back, a lot of that zealous law enforcement activity fades away.

That's my observation.

And this is a tense year. A lot of stuff (global events) is negatively impacting Thailand through no fault of their own, and it's making some Thais edgy.

What visa do you have?

It's cultural. The Thais love to tinker; always trying on new things. Two steps forward, one step back. And consistency and uniformity - values highly prized in the west - are not part of the governing culture here. In fact, the exact opposite.

But in the end, it really is NOT that complicated or difficult.

If you find Thailand's visa process a "nightmare," perhaps you should look into Cambodia. Much simpler, more uniform, and far less impactful on your daily life.

@Tom ******

You are entitled to your opinion. But I suspect you completely, rather spectacularly misunderstand my point. Hint: sarcasm is involved here, in sympathy with the original poster's plight.

Interestingly, despite having no lack of words to criticise my "smug arrogant and thoughtless drivel", you don't seem to have a moment to offer him advice of your own.

So what is YOUR advice to your fellow human being?

Would love to hear it when you can afford to take a moment off from criticizing my shitty drivel.

The thing to always keep in mind is the extreme autonomy of the individual Thai immigration officer.

In the west we are taught to expect fairness and equal application of the law to all. In theory, any way.

No such theory exists here. Each immigration officer has wide latitude and tremendous freedom to do as he or she sees fit, with very little value placed on "consistency."

@Beverley ******

Because that's just the way of the world. If you think Thai immigration is fierce, you should attempt to visit the USA.

The realities of the 21st century are often bleak, irrational, unfair and unkind.

You can complain and stomp your foot in annoyance, but this is serious sh*t going on. Better to keep your wits, keep your eye on the ball and protect yourself as best you can against what is quickly becoming a very cruel world.

@Eric ******

Yeah, but the visa situation in Vietnam currently adds a lot of expenses for the "marginally-incomed."

Cambodia's one-year visa availability with no need for border runs is pretty compelling. I also think the rock-bottom cost of living there is a bit cheaper than Vietnam.

But I think you are right, Vietnam IS an option worth considering, depending on an individual's circumstances.

@John *************

On a thousand quid a month? How does that work, exactly?

I've been retired in Thailand for 6 years now.

Honestly, I can't imagine trying to subsist here on 40k baht/month. I would consider twice that amount to be adequate for very frugal living.

On the other hand, if that's what you've got and the alternative is living in the UK. . .well I suppose broke in Asia COULD be a preferable level of hell (from your perspective) than back home.

A lot of people giving black and white responses. And how dare you impose yourself on the people here. You have no right to live in poverty here. Be gone. Etc.

Fair enough - looks like you did some bad planning, and that's on you. But what are you supposed to do NOW? Suicide? Live on the street back home?

So SE Asia may be the only choice for you, despite you being more or less unwelcome. A very modest perhaps non-aircon room, frugal eating, no dating, no vices of any sort, and you could barely survive.

Probably easier to do this in Cambodia than Thailand.

One thing you must sort or at least come to terms with - health care. No NHS for you here, and insurance is not cheap. If you get ill or injured, you MUST pay yourself. There are few bleeker places on earth to be penniless AND presented with a crushing medical bill. Truly. So, while some illnesses or accidents may be recoverable conditions for the wealthier, you may need to accept the fact that for you, these things may have to be faced without doctors or hospitals.

Realistically, you will probably need some form of work to survive. Likely (but not necessarily) illegal and prohibited. But I'm not going to suggest it is better for you to just suicide; you must do what you must to survive, provided you harm no one. Many see no difference between illegal and criminal activity. Nice to have enough wealth to be so upright. But for you, that sort of high morality may not be an option.

Very little is black and white in SE Asia. There are ways to get almost anything done, if you are determined and resourceful. And the advice you receive from people who were better planners, luckier, whatever will often be a bit unsympathetic and self-serving.

So. . .tough choices ahead for you. If you choose to live in SE Asia, I strongly recommend Cambodia over Thailand as being slightly cheaper and having a less aggressive immigration team discouraging/targetting subsistence-level foreigners.

And like the poor anywhere, you can expect the better-off to look down on you and wish you to simply disappear from their world. You're gonna need a thick skin, a functioning brain, above all self-control and some luck.