@Russ ******

if that is all that deterred you then it is a good thing that Thailand is not for you. It takes time to earn respect at immigration or within the community. You get what you deserve here.

@Simon ************

no I don't think so. I understand things much better than you. The 2 to 5 alcohol ban has gone. Not sure if it's a good thing or a bad one.

@Simon ************

I think you have your wires crossed or a few missing. What do Thai alcohol , food and beverage regulations, new or old, have to do with Visa exempt entries?

@Graham ******

well now they can't which is a good thing. They will have to get the correct visa for their extended stay.

@Simon ************

how does it deter tourists and how does it stop them enjoying their HOLIDAY. Please explain.

@Jo *********

may be a handfull.

@Andreas ********

I tend to agree with you but I don't think there is a rat involved. If you wish to live long term in Thailand it is only right and proper that you have the financial means to do so and to be able to finance emergencies especially those of a medical nature. As for taxation we are all waiting for clarification. A lot of false information is being spread around mostly by people acting illegally and who are trying to rip us off.

@Bill ********

several thousand baht at least. Does your agent get your stamp from your local office? What address do they use for your tm30? Presumably they use your banked funds but if not you are asking for a problem. Honestly, I use monthly payments to get my stamp myself and this year it took about an hour. Only took that long because the officer wanted to check debits from my home account with credits to my Thai bank. I made it as easy as possible to do this which they greatly appreciated.

@Andreas ********

well it seems like you like to piss a lot of people off.

@Bill ********

haven't you seen what is coming? Get your visa extension yourself or you will have future problems one way or another.