Thank you for the timely information Stuart!

Must get myself an EU plastic cover! (even though I’m no longer).

@Miguel ******

Possibly the agent was only trying to be helpful in anticipating that an immigration officer could see an opportunity to ask for a tip/bribe? Alternatively, the agent could be touting for business if obtaining replacement/renewed passports are part of their service?

Providing it’s a machine readable passport I don’t understand how wear and tear on the cover could cause any problem?

Immigration Officer's seem to be 'tightening up' in general, requesting photocopies of forms and documents they hadn't previously asked for. What they are asking from you sounds normal.

@Text ***********

I know someone who was banned for five years. He has an ordinary job hence hasn’t any spare cash. He waited out his ban and then returned to Thailand.

Depends how much you want/need to remain in Thailand. If you were to consult a Visa Agent they may be able to give you a price to clear your overstay, thus avoiding a ban.

Air Europa.

@Mitchell ******

Absolutely correct Mitchell! I was ‘deboarded’ part-way through my multi-leg journey for not possessing either a visa, return nor onward ticket.

@Tony ********

Tumour is the symptom, the disease is the cancer cells in the bloodstream. Treating the symptom doesn’t cure the disease. Cancer doctors tell you very little because nobody wants to hear they’ve got cancer. My Mother recently died of metastatic disease. In the hospital MEU (Medical Evaluation Unit) they performed three tests; endoscopy, CT scan and, of course, the most reliable indicator, blood tests. All three produced false negative results until three weeks before death when the blood test results became abnormal. Later, I asked my GP if this was normal? She replied; “yes, it often is”. My GP took early retirement the other week as she now has breast cancer.