@John ******

My guess is that that stamp was more of a “we have no clue what we’re doing here” so a delay tactic to try to figure it out. Bangkok and Phuket (probably other offices) have been asked by me and others numerous times in the past months. Up until about two weeks ago it was always “we don’t know yet”.

@John ******

Perhaps so. Each office will be different but an “under consideration” stamp is sort of like an extension until that date stamp. You won’t be on overstay with that stamp. It’s usually because the office doesn’t have the authority to issue a stamp without approval from their HQ. So they send off the docs and await approval. Not always the case but generally so.

Supply and demand. March - mid April still high season. Songkran April 13th. Easter April 20th shouldn’t be an issue but possibly has some influence.

Ignore that piece of paper. The need to report stops the second you leave Thailand. The clock restarts at day one when you return.

You’ll have to manually work out 89 days from the day you return to figure out your next due date.

@Steve *******

In Pattaya yes. Elsewhere not so.

As an aside. What happened to Ben?

@Nick ***********

Two of the bigger agencies there recently posted on their websites that they could no longer offer “opening bank account” services nor offer new Non Os or extensions off of O visas.

They mentioned that they hope both situations were temporary but didn’t elaborate as to why.

At the moment there is an issue in Pattaya (only) with new bank accounts. Unfortunately that’s also the place that many hopeful retirees are looking to stay (I’m not going to get into the politics of that decision).

Elsewhere we haven’t seen many issues with people on Non Os getting bank accounts.

On a Non O visa you should have little trouble getting a bank account. The main problem currently is with people on tourist visas or exempt entries trying to get one - which they need to convert to a non O in country.

I’m not saying you can breeze in to any branch and they’ll open one but it shouldn’t be that difficult especially if you’re willing to pay for their useless “insurance” policy.

@Bill *************

They’re feeding you bullshit.