@Richard *********

I didn't say Thailand was unique, quite certain it happens elsewhere. USA is way harder, if a tourist is coming from Thailand.

@Mark ********

True. Me I'm not spending thousands of dollars, traveling for 24 Hours. (From USA). To risk being denied entry or a hassle at immigration or denied boarding. If need be I just book a changeable or cancelable ticket, or a cheap ticket to Cambodia. And actually go to Cambodia for a few days.

The reason Thailand does this, Thailand has a long and storied history of people coming and never leaving. Many times these people don't have sufficient finances for long term lodging and subsistence, so they end up working illegally, begging or scamming. So Thailand requires a ticket out of Thailand, proof of lodging, and proof of finances, and for some proof of insurance.

@Mark ********

Just like you have to apply and pay for an extension with Thai. You may need to extend or change travel arrangements. Which is why you book a changeable ticket, or a cheap ticket to Cambodia..

Thailand doesn't require you to book everything rigidly in advance. Just a ticket out of Thailand, within your visa time, in Thailand. Many countries require this. Maybe proof of lodging, if asked, the first hotel booking for a couple of days, has been sufficient.

@Janelle ****

Be prepared to show airline Visa is good 180 days, and extendable for another 180 days. DTV is still new, so maybe some problems.

@Denice ******

There are long term visa options for people over 50.

In any place in the World, if you allow yourself to be taken advantage of, someone will do it. If you place yourself in situations where you can be exploited, someone will exploit you. What I see in Thailand, many tourists drunkenly or foolishly put themselves in vulnerable situations, then they are surprised, when something happens.

Da Nang is ok. Cambodia is ok. Poipet is fine if you actually go into Cambodia to Siem Reap and visit Angkor Wat, stay a several nights. Siem Reap was nice, plenty of nightlife and things to do. Phenom Penh was fine also. The Philippines is great outside of Manila. So I wouldn't erase Philippines from my list. Fly into and out of Cebu or Angeles City, if possible. AC has ok nightlife, not much else. But AC is good for using airport to fly to different islands for cheap. Same with Cebu, and Cebu has a lot more to see and do. Islands to see, Boracay, Bohol, Palawan, well literally thousands. Honestly, if you're looking to explore SE Asia, I wouldn't totally avoid a country, just because of SM posts, take several days or weeks and go explore for yourself. Just going 1 day, and never leaving the airport seems a waste to me, and a red flag for immigration authorities.

Maybe the Thailand Elite Visa will help. Maybe. It's expensive.