Each airline has its own mask policy, so you may want to bring some for the flight.

I just came over on Korea air and they require masks during boarding and flight.

@Kool ******

I went to first grade in Holland without speaking the language and was fine.

What was traumatic is that I wore American underwear and my classmates wore Dutch underwear and they made fun of that a bit.

The teacher calmed them down and would help if I didn't understand something.

Most all Thai teachers I have met can speak a little English also.

Chiang Rai has halal food as well.

No...nothing to see.

@Ste ******

you are correct, Phil is wrong.

@Dustin ********

I think what red flagged me was that I was coming in on tourist visas while having a wife and listing our address as the place I stay.

I don't know, but they said if I come back on anything other than a NonO, I would be denied entry.

Hopefully you won't ever have an issue or problem...good luck.

@Janet *********

yes at your local immigration office.

I just got my final nonO stamp good for 1 year from the 'under consideration' that I got last month.

I started the process the end of November. That's 5 months...so be prepared to have time and have the funds tied up your bank for more than what you'd expect.

I don't know how they could complete the visa out of the country(maybe it's just the application) as you need photos and a visit from the immigration officers to take more pictures and secure a witness signature, not to mention the 3 different bank statements I had to get in 3 different months.

Good luck...it's a bit intimidating because of the volume of documents that must be acquired but not too difficult.

I am married but have been coming in on tourist visas because it's easier and fits the amount of time I stay (been coming here since 2005 on many different types of visas).

The last 2 times I have been stopped, questioned (the last time for over an hour) and told I would be refused entry because I should be on a non O visa. It seems if you mention a child or wife and have any other visa than a nonO it sets you up for problems.

The issue seems to be with immigration at Suvarnabhumi as the Consulate and local Thai immigration suggest that it's perfectly fine to come in on a visa except or tourist visa and change it in country.

I ended up changing it to nonO in country as they were quite serious about not allowing entry.

There are tiny translucent jelly fish on that coast that, when prolific during certain months can be quite painful when swimming.

You can't see them but sometimes you can feel them when the bump into you...the pain comes later. Perhaps it's that.

@Stuart ********

that's an interesting point as I want to stay 6 months.

It may be possible with the initial 60 days, plus a 90 day nonO, and a 30 day extension.

Although I'm envisioning the immigration officers frown for doing so.

Better to be on the up and up and walk the line.