I make arrangements with the property manager (jurasitic person? I am not sure the word).

I want to go Langkawi to Koh Lipe, I often wonder if that isn't the better way to Koh Lipe.

I recently applied for a tourist visa from the Thai Embassy, USA. They also have a rule about applying only if you are in the USA. There is some fine print and different interpretations. What I have found is they will accept my application regardless of my current location. I have not gotten this tourist visa yet, I applied only 1 week before. But I have gotten a few other visa in the past, while not in USA.

You can pull tourist visa for Thailand in, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia, if you decide to do a legitimate visa. Each place has different rules and I am not current with any. From what I remember, Vietnam was pretty easy, done in one or two days. I would guess Malaysia would be the best place but that largely depends on your itinerary. Each embassy has their own set of requirements as does the border crossing. Malaysia to Thailand (Penang) requires you show cash and maybe you must show Thai Baht, but I am not sure, so you will want to check. Vietnam (HCMC) required I pay in USD crisp new currency, they wouldn't accept torn/tattern/warn USD, again you will want to double check.

Finally, you can get 30 visa on arrival/exempt and you can get an extension. Koh Lipe has an immigration office but I don't know if they do extensions or the requirements.

Enjoy your trip.

I dont know Chiang Mai so well but every other place, the police are predictable. They set-up shop at the same locations at the same times and the locals know this. They mostly get the tourists who do not know. The ticket/bribe/tea money is 500 baht ($15).

I have been driving in Thailand about 8 or 9 years and I have never had a proper license. Even if you do have a proper license, the system is set-up so that its easier to pay than it is to be in the right. It's just generally understood.

If you feel the need you can get a IDP but I have found those are useless, in Thailand, Australia and US, they don't have much meaning. If you can produce an actual license in any country then its understood that you have a license in some other country, which is all the IDP states.

I did mine in 2018 and it was 2 weeks. They said it would be longer, I don't recall, but it was done in only two weeks. I believe things have changed and they may only do it by post, I am not sure.

I have been here a number of years one various kinds of visas.

You can always get a tourist visa, well mostly always. Some other options

- Get a wife

- Get a kid

- Get rich

- Get a job

Something to be aware of, different nationalities have different visa options and different requirements for the same visa. So you will want to be care above 'what you heard'. It may be true but may not be true for you.

You can do a visa except which simple requires you leave the country then come back. You can bounce same day.

My plan is to buy gold with the extra cash I don't need here in Thailand.

Gold trades a little differently here so be prepared for a learning exercise.

@Nongnuch *******

That explains a lot, I was trying to get a multiple entry visa based off of marriage. I saw some said they pulled one of those from Laos, but I wasn't able to find that option on the eVisa site.

I renewed recently.. I don't recall taking an online test. I paid someone who had connections and I had to do a couple of manual tests, that was it. I was in and out in 20 minutes. Some people choose to do their license themselves, which involves a couple of trips to a couple of different offices.

The eVisa site is less than accurate. They make no mention of financial requirements for tourist visa (Thai Embassy - US), but I am sure there are financial requirements. Maybe there isn't a financial requirement... Point I am trying to make is it may be worth sending an email to the relevant embassy and ask them directly.

@Ruth ******

The "prefer" you visit on the appropriate visa but they do seem tolerant of questionable visas. I don't think you have anything worry. If you go show you have means and a history of travelling, it's unlikely the Immigration Officer is going think you are an illegal worker.

The other thing to consider is some flights won't let you board without a visa or the requirements.