@To**

it could work either way. Elite used work this way, and you could get an extra year by stamping in right at the end, but they changed it a few years ago and if you re-enter in the last year they now only stamp up to the end of the visa.

The legislation introducing DTV isn't clear on what happens with entries but it does explicitly say extensions cannot go past the validity of the visa.

If I were to guess, I suspect they will only stamp up the end date of the visa. But as Adam says we'll have to wait and see what happens.

@Ni***

it was 43 a month ago. If you wait it could go back to that. It could also get worse. No way to know, if anyone did know they could make a lot of money on it.

@Pa**

you're doing something wrong, as it won't cost £19,758. The exact amount changes constantly with the exchange rate, but it's almost £1,000 lower than the number you are saying, I checked and it's giving me £18,848. The Where are you getting the idea it's going to cost £19,758? I think you must have meant £18xxx, no? The £120 fee is reasonable, the exchange rate is the midmarket rate which you can't get better than. What comparison list are you looking at that suggests you can get better?

Anonymous participant with 90 day "first time" is relative to your current entry, not the visa. If you are on a DTV, leaving under 180 days, it's always your first time. If you did it early on your current entry and you need to do a second before the 180 day, or if you extended, yes you can use the online system for a second 90 day report on your current entry stamp.

@John *********

yes that's what it says. Could save an hour's trip though. I haven't done it myself but I may try to see if it works. As I was set up on the system I did try doing my first one online after an entry (not first on the visa) before and they rejected it so I know that's out.

@J**

you need to check the exchange rate being used for the JPY-THB conversion. It could be good or could be bad that's where they are making their money.

@J**

it's very low. Well under 1%. For USD to send 65,000 THB Wise charge 0.68%, or $13.79. That's $165/year, or 5,300 THB. I think you need to see that as a "cost of doing business".

@J**

the bottom line is 65,000 or more has to appear on your Thai bank statement. So you need to ensure that when you send, you send enough that 65,000+ will appear AFTER any fees.

Sometimes with "free" SWIFT, the trick is they give you a bad exchange rate. Most of the way banks make money on international transfers is the exchange rate, not the fees, the fees are small comparatively. So when comparing you need to compare how much THB you get at the end for a given amount of money in.

Usually with SWIFT transfers even if "free" on your end, the Thai bank will take 0.25% min 200 max 500 receiving fee, so you would have to add this at least.

Wise will give you about the most competitive rate but will also guarantee an exact amount into your Thai account. If you say 65,000 in Wise, that is what shows up in the account, exactly. No 200-500 fee. They charge fees but these fees are best compared to the bank's exchange rate spread, and they are usually lower.

Some banks can be competitive with SWIFT transfers. It depends on the currency too, for example Thai banks give good rates for USD and some regional currencies like MYR so they can be competitive in those currencies. Usually though Wise is cheaper.

Thai data SIMs come with a local phone number, even if they can't make calls. Most of them can make calls too if you add money to them- they really are just normal SIMs with a data plan. I don't think there would be a problem using your bank app on that as long as it is registered to you. My understanding, you would still be getting a Thai data SIM for the internet connection and Xpatphone is a way to VOIP your UK number. I think that would be OK.

@Jo**

the rule is you have to be in the country or countries the embassy serves. They are in Indonesia. You are allowed to apply from anywhere in Indonesia, as long as you stay in the country during the application. It's a big country. Most embassies do the whole process online and don't require a physical interview. They emailed the embassy and rescheduled the interview giving time to travel to Jakarta, so obviously that is all fine. You're not being helpful here.