I was thinking the same when I saw 2000 baht, for another 3000 you get the year.

You can apply for the Non B visa without it then do WP1 when here but they may insist on WP3 its up to the consulate

No, you can get one if you have special skills required in Thailand. My application is based on invitation letter from a Bangkok hospital as my company are not present in Thailand

so they do require it then ;-)

why not tell them to get a Non O based on over 50 then no need for insurance?

If you mean tm6 they take that then when you come back they stamp you in and they write non re and you fill in new tm6

oh dear, I thought Pai was a person lol

@Benjamin *****

I hardly think the OP was bragging he is planning to work illegally, more naive that he did not know work permit is required which IMHO is ridiculous as so many people would do volunteer work so it is the Thai's that loose out not the volunteers.

You need to fill in WP1 and take to minitry of labour along with required docs.

Ho the hell is someone supposed to take a year out travelling supposed to explore Thailand if they say limit is 3 exemptions in 6 months. yes system has been abused by many but they now make it literally impossible to explore Thailand for long periods, they are just not interested in long term tourists. To mae things easier they may as well make it official, only one exemption per year. Then at least people would know.