@James *****

the TM30 has to be completed by the property owner within 24 hours of the alien arriving so this is probably what she was telling the poster's friend.

@Nigel *************

Over the years, I've read of many random visits of retirees, but no one can explain why.

They do visits for marriage extensions to establish if the relationship is real and not a marriage of convenience. You must get a neighbour or the village head to confirm you live at the address. I've no idea why they would visit a retiree.

Thank you. I'm off to Singapore on 13th May for two days before flying to Manchester, UK. The flight was £300 cheaper than Bangkok, so as I have never been to Singapore, I thought it would be a good choice. I see it as a free holiday in Singapore. I'm not sure why UK flights are cheaper from Singapore, but I'm looking for return flights in September and they're still about £300 cheaper than Bangkok.

I opened my first bank account using my Thai wife as a referee and was on a visa-exempt, but Bangkok Bank told me I cannot do that now.

That is not a new rule as it has always been the case. I fell foul of this the first time I extended 6 years ago

@John *********

My insurer offered me only, named 2 drivers, any driver over 30 or any age driver. I opted for any driver over 30

You don't need to take a Thai driving test, just a reaction and eye test. Most DLT offices insist on an IDP for some reason. They wouldn't let me get a licence until I had completed my extension based on marriage, so I'm not sure you can do it with a DTV

@Bent ************

they cut the corner off the front page after they have given you your new passport

Not worth the hassle. You should buy one locally, and then the buyer and seller can go to DLT together.