Bob, there's a few thought provoking ideas along with some alternatives here:-

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/v ... 4561#84561

Yeah, thanks RJ.... a bit off subject (& I am sorry Mods) but Cambodia or Vietnam are my current favourites. Laos sort of rules itself out as I am not happy about their cohabitation laws & I don't want to go to any country where I have to deliberately flout their requirements......just wish I knew what those were in Thailand.....

I have just been to the Penang Consulate. There is a notice (well several actually) that a Tourist Visa will only be given if you show an 'original air ticket and proof of accomodation booking'
Believe me - this new rule was being strictly enforced and most applications were refused as the clerk handed the documents back and pointed at the new notice.

The screw tightens ever more

the screws tighten on the tourists but surely the proof of accomadation requirment also punishes the hordes of small thai operations who cater for the backpackers who don't bother with any accomadation bookings. i guess I am lucky that those days are behind me

A friend of mine who is married and living in Phuket , fronted up last week with all the documents etc to the Thai Embassy in Singapore to get his Visa etc.

Was told there, that he had to also produce evidence of his bank account and needed a 800,000 balance for the last 3 months, lucky he had that by chance.

Just another tale of confusing issues.

He wasnt applying for a retirement visa.