You’ve really got two choices here:

1. Take Motorway 7 to Bangkok, then use the ring road Motorway 9, going counterclockwise around the city, Bang Pa In direction. Get onto Highway 1 to pass through Ayutthaya and hit Saraburi. From there, use Mittraphap Road (Highway 2) to Nakhon Ratchasima, and keep going to Udon Thani. If Motorway 6 is open, definitely take it, it’s partially open but it’s a lifesaver time-wise. Keep a few hundred on hand for tolls.

Watch out between Saraburi and Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima - people drive like absolute dumb cunts, plus you’ve got mountains and heaps of heavy trucks.

2. Alternatively, take Highway 304 through Prachinburi, which links up with Nakhon Ratchasima, then keep going on Mittraphap (2) to Udon Thani. Be careful in Prachinburi though, the roads are shit, and there are mountains to deal with too.

If it were me, I’d go with the 7 and 9 around Bangkok, stop for an hour in Nakhon Ratchasima to check out Ya Mo Monument. I also prefer driving at night - less congestion and fewer fuckwits on the road, the fewer, the better.

@Michael *******

Siam office, they have changed to digital scans these days. Would be funny having black ink on your hands

@Christiaan ******

what did you put down for country? And purpose?

@Max *********

Apologies, but I’m used to dealing with institutions I can actually trust to do their job properly. Asking around, whether online or offline, has been helpful in getting insights on how to address the issue. After all, this is an advice group, right? If the office had a more user-friendly attitude, this wouldn’t even be an issue.

@Craig *********

I wasn’t in a hurry the first time, so I got my police certificate for 160 baht for a citizenship application.

However, my partner had to pay 2,000 baht, which is absurd—the most expensive police certificate I’ve ever heard of. It feels like staff target those applying to high-income countries like Australia, ‘country of destination’ and the purpose on the form shouldn’t be anyone’s business.

It really makes me wonder about the invisible hurdles involved in running a business, buying property or other life stuff should I stay long term.

@Mdl ****

I had to drive to the office in Siam which is 1,150km there and back.

@Tai *********

You should definitely reach out to your preferred local branch to discuss the options for opening an account.

I’m probably browner than you, and no, when I registered, I was never asked if I was of Māori or native New Zealand descent.

@Tai *********

During my time here, I’ve successfully opened three bank accounts in three different provinces, by myself, simply by following the online guidelines and the procedures at local branches.

Your experience tells me, the banks don’t want your business.

@Chung ****

this is what bothers me, for something so simple it’s all of a sudden hard and confusing for no reason.

Drive to the bank and open a account, literally takes less than an hour.