@Alastair *******************

I did see an article today that the hoped for 60-day VE may be out by July.

The 60 day is if you paid in advance and received a Tourist Vice. A visa exempt entry remains at 30 days.

There are many threads in this topic you can search for here. The consensus today, not from 5 years ago, it that things have changed. More banks are refusing to open accounts and while it should be easy to do on your own in theory, you can save time and hassles by going to a recommended agent.

For my e visa application I did not attach beyond 3 weeks hotel nor a return ticket. I was denied and told to submit them. I did. After I was approved I terminated the new hotel reservations as I have no idea where I will be yet and I was admitted into the country without have to show any legit bookings. But this is my own experience and I assert nothing. But never had to show such exit travel ever shoe proof of funds.

May not be cheapest, but you can send instant cash via Western Union app from a debit or credit card to many locations there. You will at least know in advance what the total cost will be.

@Christopher ************

I would be quite interested in contacting this individual. Thanks.

Pattaya is generally safe so go wherever you wish. Surely you have a reason to go there, so what do you wish to do? I presume you know about Songkran! Do you want to be in the middle of that or do you wish to avoid the crowds and craziness? You want calm bars to relax with a drink or the bars with the bar girls? There are many YouTube videos you can watch to see what is available. A first visit to Pattaya can be intense, so limit your booze and try to enjoy whatever it is you are looking for.

Singapore had requirements to fill out health information online for pre approval. It is not difficult but is a pain in the butt. The requirement may have ended, but was there last November. You don’t need approval to board the plane, only to get through immigration. You can fill the form on your smart phone and get immediate approval.

I have doubts an agent will help much. I have seen an agent try to give false employment information that was so obviously fake she could have been banned. Face it, Thais are presumed guilty and in the US there is no place on the application to present bank statements or show you won’t overstay. There are too many applicants and too few officers and time, so they simply don’t care.

I have heard it is better to marry in the US than in Thailand, assuming you are American. You will get 90 days, I think, after she arrives to get married after which she can apply for a green card. You can fill out the application yourself … plenty of YouTube how-to videos. It may take well over a year for approval. You can, of course, get easily married in Thailand if being married is the top priority, but married couples are often denied entry into the US. Not sure if marrying in TL offers any advantages , unless you are worried about her being westernized after she arrives ….