Anonymous participant this is for your next five years of visa. Why risk it. Just stay there until you get it.

You just go to immigration with both passports, and they transfer your current stamps into your new passport. It is very easy to do.

@Julian ******

that situation I am not sure about, but it should be the same. You don't get any refund that I know of for ending an elite visa early though.

@Julian ******

in country yes if you have enough days left on your entry.

Most end up using an agent to get their bank account, at a price, on any tourist visa. He will also need from 15-21 days left on his entry stamp, depending on the immigration office. Then as soon as he has the bt400,000, and the basic documents, he can get the 90 day extension to get everything else document wise, then when there is 30 days left on his entry stamp, or up to 45 days at some offices, like Bangkok, he can apply for the one year extension. Save copies of everything, as for the following years you just need new bank statements, and new pictures, unless you move. Everything else is the same.

@Dom *******

true, but currently there are no rules in place saying you have to attend classes.

It's not a question of which category to apply under. It is simply a matter of getting it as fast as you can. If you already have this new visa any changes made in the future won't apply to you as you're grandfathered in for the next five years. At that point any changes would affect you, but not before.

Mai phen rai.

Just get a multi-entry tourist visa before you come here.

As soon as they determine you are trying to stay long term as a tourist, that is the limit.