@Nongnuch *******

im taking thai to learn the language that's the point i can already speak german and rusty with Arabic - and if you show you are learning and have an understanding of the language at conversational level you will be fine. Im actually here to do as I said im here for - 2 years will be in thai language with a total of 3 consecutive years on non-o visa holds weight when staying here. I have no exit and entry stamps on my ed visa that will raise questions

@Nongnuch *******

yes according to immigration visa lawyer the restriction they placed on ot resets after the calendar year ends. Its not a 12 month period as per a lawyer - what the IO does at check in is a different story - when an IO goes against the establisjed regulations you do have avenue of approach at customs - having an immigration lawyer on retainer is advisable for such situations

There are forms to only use monthly income to add up 6 months of the saving requirements - im in the same boat as you i converted to ed visa in a week being here - i would recommend getting the ed visa thai courses thai boxing cooking or self defense. The schools will do the paper work for you in all total can cost around 1300USD including in country conversion but you need 21 days on your visa at least - or you can have the school start paper work goto Vietnam and the packet sent to you there and you apply at thai embassy there saving you baht for conversion. The student visa is 1 year but you have to extend every 3 months ( 1900 baht ) and 90 day report

Example i am 41 I will do 3 years of ed visa then convert to DTV after that expires I will apply retirement

Anonymous participant i got mine here in the first month while having an IDP - in thailand they are only honored for 90 days while the IDP is valid for 1 year each country has their own guidelines on how and when it can be used.

Get a thai license alot quicker - you can get an IDP on line or by mail if your country allows it and will take 2 months

@James ******

well my first extension it was not as complicated the school office said since the Crack down they made it more complicated in extension paperwork I had alot more to sign and im only in self defense classes now - im going to thai classes next 2 years

@James ******

yeah that wont work now - they are requiring proof of attendance with ED visa now which im on and the paperwork to extend is more scrutinized then before

In respect ed visa is considered a higher visa then DTV - as long as you were in compliance with your ed visa extended on time and report as required its a positive record to obtain other visas ed visa is a Non-o visa where DTV is considered a tourist visa.

@Paula *******

ok - you asked a question here sub of my statement what would you know ?? You asked a question here that shows you dont have a clue at all - if you did you wouldnt have asked your question to start with -

@Phyf ***

yes I do - aside from speculation i actually talk to a visa lawyer for planning things myself and what I speak of has been mentioned a few times and what they are trying to control - so if you are going to say im wrong please prove you are right