@Darren *******

i never said it was not legit... i said you need to meet the financial requirements legitimately (i.e. with acceptable proof)...

If you can't meet the income legitimately, then stay where you are, there are no other legitimate long-term visa options... they are cracking down hard

@Tod ********

I have been questioned twice on METV last year, as they were concerned i was not a genuine tourist...it was touch and go...so im not surprised at all

Thankfully I turn 50 in a couple of weeks...OA from then

Ian Black it started getting more and more difficult 12+ months ago...

They do random visits to schools, so even if schools fudge your attendance you can still get caught out...

If you are not going to attend your required hours a day/week then you run the risk of getting caught...

@Ian ******

people have already been refused entry with ED visas, due to their history of staying in Thailand on tourist visas - it is a very real possibility these days.

Advice?! Dont wait until you only have 2 pages left in your passport - simple!

@Ben *********

he can get one from Australia...

Matthias Hartweg yes it's allowed, I've had 2 Thai bank accounts for 3 years on tourist visas:)

If you meet all the requirements of the METV then it will be issued with no problems (I've had many from Australia back to back), however as suggested before, any issue you will face will likely come on entry into Thailand.

The IO may assess your previous stays/visits as living here and not as genuine tourist. I've been questioned 3 times on METV, only in the last 12 months, but never denied.

Have all your proofs, accommodation, onward travel and CASH on you in case your questioned by IO on arrival.

Just know it's getting harder and harder, I've personally seen some tourists refused entry on my multiple trips, and read about many more.

Good luck.

This will be closed shortly, as they always say, this is not Thai drivers licence group haha