@Rene *****

That is what I thought, until last time, returning to Thailand from a nice vacation in Bali, they shook me down at DMK airport, saying put money in the passport or go home. They did not even talk about the allegedly 3 proofs of having 1) money 2) hotel and 3) return ticket. They said I had a warning in their system. They even showed me their screen. I noticed, that all COVID extensions has been entered there in two 30 day extensions (or entries), each. And this obviously summing up, making my travel history look much worse than it actually was.

@Stuart ********

Nice one. So at least getting a new visa could be going more smoothly with two passports. Allowing for more visa entries and less visa exemption entries. And following that thought, visa entries should always go more smoothly than visa exemption entries (less discretion for the immigration officer at the border, I assume).

@Rene *****

That is a bummer. But it can be different at a different consulate, indeed. Rules are never the same across organizations in Thailand. Sadly (or potentially good in this case).

@Todd ********

Visa free entries by air are (in theory - different story in practice) not limited. Are you suggesting that with two passports the land border limit of two entries could potentially double with two passports?

@Stuart ********

That would be one big upside. Is that true for all consulates (also those with e-visa). Do consulates not have access to immigration database in general? Or just some (not digitalized ones) at nearby SEA consulates?

@Rene *****

While I believe they are asking for a plane ticket (or an itinerary / reservation rather), I do not recall this having to be a plane ticket from the very (home-) country one is applying at. I was under the impression a return plane ticket from anywhere into Thailand would do?

Any potential upsides at land borders at least (e.g. Laos)? Do they also have the same computer based systems than at the airports? Why do people usually suggest land borders crossing go much smoother than at the airports?

@Brandon ***********

Good point. I never tried that, but thought about applying for an e-visa with the Thai consulate in Germany while still being in Thailand. Beats having to go to Thai consulates in other SEA countries, where one would have to get a paper based visa in person.

@Stuart ********

Thank you. So potentially less upsides than I would have hoped for from investing in a second passport.

@Brandon ***********

Interesting. I was thinking of another scenario: Applying for a new Thailand visa making use of e-visa system at home while still being in Thailand with the other passport (cause the one used at the current stay would not have an exit stamp, yet, thus indicating to the consulate at home that one is still in Thailand).