@Guy **********

it's an oxymoron. It's either an original or a copy. Can't be both. I was wondering the same thing in regards to the wife's ID considering her presence isn't required, which makes having her original ID a bit hard.

You needed original or copies of the wife's passport/ID? You say original copies which is a bit of an oxymoron. It can be one or the other, but not both.

I thought the wife doesn't even need to be present, which makes having her original ID a bit hard. I plan on doing the same next week and unfortunately the wife will not be able to come with me.

First I saw mention of the rental agreement as a requirement too.

They have a phone number on their Google profile. If you can't get anyone to answer and the message box is full, like Chicago's always is, then select 0 or whatever option they give for thai citizens. That was the only way I got them to answer the phone in Chicago and heard it worked for other consulates as well. Once I did that and was able to get someone to answer they actually helped me. Facebook messenger, email, etc nothing else worked.

The other option is to go there in person, again something I needed to do in Chicago a different time the day before my flight.

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

perhaps it means a booking is required for the visa run service, which I assumed would always be required, and not a booking at the consulate.

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

ok. A bit confusing becasue this post specifically says Savannakhet/Laos requires it without mentioning Vientiane. Makes one wonder how trustworthy the other info is that was taken from that website.

@Maxim **********

so you don't need an appointment if applying for non-o visa? I don't even see anywhere on the Savannakhet thai consulate website to book appointments.

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

at first I just thought you were hung up on the semantics of the post. I assumed the fee increase was for sending USD to be converted to THB into Thailand. But reading the first paragraph of the changes makes it appear that you are correct. It's only if you want USD to arrive in Thailand.

@Duncan ******

what do you mean by "normal" wise payments? I normally used the "ACH" method since it was always the cheapest option. The fee for that method of transferring USD is going up as well.

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

I got the same email. Not sure what you are trying to say, but the way I'm reading it if I send money from my US bank to my thai bank account then those new fees will apply at the end of the month. Which if I use their example of transferring $3,900 is an increase in the fee from $30.72 to $36.05.