Their regulation calls for 20k THB in cash, but they seldom enforce it. Wear shoes, pants, shower, look like you are coming here to spend money, and you will be ok. They use the above regulation to keep out people they don't like.

@Timmy *****

the last paper page (not the hard rear cover) has the number 50 stamped on it. I suppose if counting front and rear covers, then 54. I do not recall asking for any specific size.

@Mika *******

I think I get it. Have heard the term "pipe dream" before... so I thought there was a connectio. No harm.

This very FB group has had comments from people who got stamped in with the wrong number of days, usually less. Note that the IOs go thru *hundreds* of arrivals daily, and it is reasonable to expect for them to miss here and there, and they are never wrong. CYA is very cheap. Good luck.

@Steve ******

well, of course. I had to send the old pp, signed application, 2 pics, and two sets of receipts. How else would the embassy get all that since they stated all was to be done by mail? Now, that was this past Aug. Maybe they changed procedures, but I'll revisit that in 10 yrs.

@Steve ******

yes, I mailed all the requested docs as per the checklist via Express mail and this comes with a tracking number.

@Steve ******

After paying the 100 THB, Thailand Post sent me an E-mail receipt. I printed it out, as is has some kind of a reference number, my name, and the paid amount. I sent this with the passport renewal form, pics, and the $100+ passport fee receipt the gov payment website also E-mails you. Once the pp is ready, the US embassy sends you the pp in an Express mail envelope.

@Bonnie ********

a judgement must not be superficial yet it is better than a bad one. And yes, years ago, my family and I lived thru a coup d'etat where people lost home and possessions and members of the outgoing goverment were shot by firing squad without trial. Also lived and worked in countries where public decapitations are common, and was here in Phuket when a natural disater took 5,000 people. In seven days I will be remembering the loss of the other 200,000+. I lived thru that and even gave a hand in the rescue effort. Have pics, videos, and witnesses. Am still recovering. Peace.

@Mika *******

a pipe dream? ... no way. It's symptomatic of "culture shock". He'll come down and recover. 😃

@Andy *********

yes, most people are honest. I have read about taxi drivers returning lost monies in their cab, as well as good samaritans helping travelers. The problem is that there are a few bad apples, as we all know, and the op made it sound like this was a paradise of goodness and innocence, which is not. I absolutely do not imply or recommend for anyone to live in fear or to walk as if stepping on eggshells, but one needs to be aware and safe. Many of the horror stories I've come across are not from the news media. The most horrifying part is that the expat, inadvertently, caused the situation.