A friend send me a laptop and claimed $100 insurance, I still had to pay a hefty sum for duties. Laptops care $300 locally and probably come with a Thai keyboard.

I have heard good things about the visa agent on Soi Post Office (around soi 13 beach road, Pattaya).

I use the visa agent on Soi 6 Beach Road (Pattaya). I have used them several times.

Its been a few years but I had to bring paperwork... a MUST.

Also, oddly, you will need to bring crisp brand new $20 USD bills. I don't recall if that was for the VT Immigration or the Thai Embassy but one of them is very fussy about the matter.

ALWAYS check the stamp. If the goof it you can get them to fix it on the spot.. If you discover there is an issue later it's at least day to get them to fix it.

AIS is the service I use.

I think US phones won't work here. You will need to be able to swap SIMS and I think most US phones aren't able to do that.

It's been a few years but I have gotten a Reentry permit from the immigration office, no appointment. I had to spend an hour or two.

I have never spent more than 15 minutes at the Airport immigration to get a reentry permit. The point is perhaps appointments are for groups of people to help avoid delays.

I am married and choose to use Tourist Visas.

If your son is married to a Thai person they are eligible for a Marriage Visa. There is a lot of paperwork to complete. I think the hassle is worth it, to live in Thailand but I find the tourist visa is an easier option. Perhaps one day my luck will change and I will feel differently but that isn't today (or the past couple of years)..

About 2 weeks. It seems it takes about 5 business days for them to respond. They always ask for more paperwork which takes a couple more days.

They do that sometimes, don't be alarmed. They let you in.

I stay in Wongamat area. It's about 2-5 km from beach road. Its quiet but near to all the other stuff.

The North end of Beach Road is pretty quiet with more upscale hotels. North of Soi 6.