Also, checking Monito online, Remitly consistently beats all others in amount rec'd after exchange rate. Hard to find anything to complain about.

Remitly "From US bank card" to Thailand bank acct; almost instant (98% of time); fee = $1.99 US; my transfer a couple weeks ago took about 12 hrs for BB to admit it had arrived).

Am from US, but find Remitly completes transfers in seconds and costs just under $2 US

@Ruud *****************

Greatly depends on what the "volunteer" things are. Like taking a car load of locals to visit a Temple and back. Or partly sponsoring a 4.0 student from a very poor family thru college. Providing transportation to a villager needing a round trip visit to a larger hospital 30 minutes away.

I live in upcountry, Issan; very rural. That said, might visit with village chief to see if you can 'volunteer' without causing 'issues'.

Thinking a big one was left off there; "what does a tree branch laying in the road ahead indicate?"

@Tony *********

Exactly the way it's been since previous century, due to free loaders & illegals who get in the country and stay.

My choice would be to wait until I'm in country, then do it. That said, it is still important to determine the issues and rules based upon your home country.

A part of what we see with Imm paper work is to help more Thais have jobs. Thailand goes out of their way to create as many jobs for their citizens as possible.

Just did my first boarder bounce in many years, got 60 days - BUT - big surprise to me, the boarder bounce now must include "1 sleep" across the boarder; next morning, you're on your way. Comment was made by senior immigration guy - that is a Cambodia 'requirement'; looks as if Thailand may stop the "1 sleep" in the future and just do the old time "boarder bounce".