I basically sent everything with my address on it just to be sure - even if it was written in Thai
So I guess if you have a thai bank account and a phone number you should be fine. You can get the necessary statements through their apps or ask for them in person.

And a quick update on myself. To my surprise the withdrawal request from Stars to my new thai Neteller account went through within a couple of hours. Thought I give it a try after finding out they might just ask for some screenshot of the new account, if you have never used it before with them, but that was not even necessary.
The only downside: To avoid the conversion fee I should have opened up a second currency through Netellers exchange feature before, I guess ... (I not recall being able to choose the currency when I opened the new account, so the main currency is Thai Baht)

Anyway, very happy now

Yeah I will send what I have and hope it go through.

Just opened bank account, was easy, there was like 5 russian guys in front of me who all got denied because they didnt have 3 entering stamps to Thailand over the last year or so, I have 3 but they seemed to only check my last stamp into Thailand. Had to deposit 1000, 400 of that went to paying for the card. The branch is Bangkok bank jomtien beach 2nd rd if anyone interested.

So when I set up my Neteller account, I should put the currency as Euros or in Usd? To avoid the conversion fee?

I not recall being able to choose the initial currency when I set up my thai Neteller, so I ended up with Baht. But you can set up additional currencies (like US $ or Euro) later on by exchanging a minimum amount within Neteller. I have an additional US $ balance now which I should be able to use for transfers to and from poker sites.

Unfortunately I haven't done that before I got my withdrawal from Stars, so it got converted to Baht.

Edit: Funded my new GG account today choosing US $. No conversion fee

I just got to Thailand. Is there any way to get $$$ from EcoPayz(thb) to Pokerstars? Also, what is the method most people use for depositing/withdrawing from Thailand? Neteller? Thanks for any info.

Ecopayz works but I would avoid, their security is annoying, have to send documents every 6 months proving income and they are picky af with documents, very annoying. Neteller better option just make sure you open multiple currencies so you don't get fcked on exchanges.

No news so far if the renew the 45 days on arrival, right?

Did anyone use thaivisacenter before and if yes what is your experience? I see they have 4.9 rating in google reviews more than 1k people which is sick for visa agent. Most visa agencies in phuket have 50 people reviewing

just marry a bar girl, problem solved

Someone from this forum did that, I don't remember who exactly. It was years ago, in Samui I believe.

Is it beneficial/necessary to switch my stars account from Cambodia to my current residence in Thailand?

Anyone here watch Avatar 2 yet? If not, save yourself 3 hours unless you enjoy woke garbage. Amazing it took them over a decade just for that.

It has reverted to 30 days again.

I used them for a 1 year volunteer visa a few years ago. Timelines were always faster then advertised good communication. They were the most expensive option out there but I was fine paying more since they were so highly regarded compared to other options. I've had diff visas and left and reentered multiple times since then and was all good.

If I needed a long term visa today I'd be open to using them. All the agents are shady but I think their connections to higher ups in immigration are as good as you can find.

Thank you

Just signed up for Thailand Elite Privilege. Anyone have any experience with it? Seems like the most hassle free way for younger people to stay in the country long term, albeit you definitely pay for the privilege!

It's working as they sell it. After the 5 years, you can extend it for 15years for 400k (without the limousine service)

I'm planning to get the 5 year Thai Elite family visa in November, with my now wife. We're currently in Tbilisi, Georgia and got married last week specifically for the purpose of including her on my Thai Elite application as family and saving some money.

Mine will cost 800k and unfortunately I don't think it can be extended for 15 years, but I've been reading up on Thai Elite (there's a Facebook group specifically for this visa) and it sounds like the reviews on TE are overwhelmingly positive. I mean it's costly, but still worth it for many people. I will be happy not to have to deal with tourist visas and paperwork and the uncertainty of whether or not my wife and I will be able to go to/stay in certain countries.

Also, we've been nomading for quite a long time and do a lot of 1-3 month stays and probably pay about 50% extra booking AirBNBs all the time. I figure I'll make back the 23k USD for the visa just being able to book locally for 1 year at a time in Bangkok.

Yeah definitely - seems like a no brainer. I had to do a few months back in the UK over christmas and it's still far cheaper for me to take a 1 year minimum lease on a condo than book air bnb.

There's just that niggling feeling in the back of my head that it's not necessary - my friend has been coming in and out on tourist visas every 6 weeks(works in the ME on rotation) for years without too much hassle and it's tempting to take weekend trips every 60 days to surrounding SE Asian countries but i'm all for a hassle free life so this does just make sense. But yeah the $17.5k is going to sting a bit!

I did a lot of reading also and it definitely seems like a good product, but I don't know anyone personally who has one. Anyways, application is in now so I guess no turning back!

i don't know the details of the long term stay

but wouldn't that money be better spent on periodic vacations outside the country whenever you begin running out of days?

You can only enter 3 times in a calendar year is the rule, but it's typically Thailand in that it's sporadically enforced. You just won't know until you're going through immigration.

They've also just reduced the 45 day visa on arrival back to 30 days, which you can extend by another 30 days when in country, so 180 days max per year is the rule. I am looking at it as an extra £3k per year cost of living, just paid up front is all! Once 5 years is up its basically another £10k to stay there until I'm in retirement visa territory.

The concensus appears to be, if you don't qualify for any other long-term visa the elite visa is a good option. The perks are not that much given the price but it allows you to stay in a nice country with little hassle

marrying a hooker way cheaper bro

Yeah for sure. I don't qualify for the LTR options as I worked for my own limited company.

this is definitely not the case.