Can't you just step out of the country eg fly to KL return and get stamped back into Thailand for another 12 months and not need to show 800K? Or has this changed since the last time I did it.
and he should get another year when he is stamped back in so long as he has a re-entry permit? Would he need to show another 12 months of med insurance as well being an O-A?
I applied for a TR at Wellington embassy. They wanted full itinerary details and accommodation paid for paperwork. After much back and forwards, I told them to forget about it and that they make it too difficult and too many hoops to jump through, I'll go to Vietnam instead. Much easier. They sent my application back to me along with the payment.
Any thoughts on the Thai Embassy in Ho Chi Minh? I'll be there in a month and was going to apply for a 60-day TV for entry into Phuket. I've heard from a few people they can be a bit difficult.