4evermaat

I am not 100% sure. The evidence from my experience and what I have heard seems to suggest that they only count Penang issued visas. The worst case there is you must If you never had at least a SE non-immigrant visa from Penang, you may only get SE non-immigrant visa on the first application. so in 3-5 months, you would have to return to get ME non-immigrant visa. I guess if you live closer to the south or near bangkok (or near an airport/train), the train or air ride isn't too bad. There was a report recently of someone with a new passport, but had copies of his 1st page (with photo and signature) and the last ME non-o visa from penang from old previous passport. So he was able to get ME non-o visa from penang on "first" application of his new passport. I do have to admit though, these guys can be quite busy. So they might prioritize local customers first. Callers second. If these agents didn't exist at all, imagine you'd have to figure it all yourself with trial/error. Thailand is not really the place for that attitude. And definitely not the Thai consulate. Just keep smiling and have the minimum documentation, you will be ok. Calmly make your case if any eyebrows are raised; and keep smiling. At least you know you have some standing (at worst, SE non-o; or marriage and then Penang/Savannakhet). Consider those digital nomads and such that cannot get their back-to-back TVs anymore. A third option might be to contact at Herbert at HDVisa (Koh Samui). Not sure if he will only discuss certain things in person. But he mainly deals with the Kota Bharu Thai Consulate. And he's been known to get things done according to a couple of sources. Whether he can still do it or not, you'd need to investigate. Especially since you "don't like surprises"

@Okis please update us when you have obtain the ME non-o and have returned to thailand. Thanks.

Can you tell us more on your future travel pattern? How often do you intend to come in over the next 12 months? The first couple of VEs shouldn't be an issue. But you might realize that non-imm might save you the hassle, even if you will be leaving permanently. Especially if you have some family drama that crops up at the last minute related to your dependent.

You can't have it both ways. You either: stand up for yourself (via the labor office if normal conversation with your boss is not going anywhere), or just take the pay cut and keep living with the fact that you are getting shafted. Not sure why you tolerated the first pay cut from 40 to 30k. All it did was embolden them to cut benefits. Channel that fear of losing work permit into finding a new agency/employer.

I doubt it unless they renovate the entire station, moving it back 1-3km. There are 3 int'l trains (with more in the future possibly). And how would you do it? The train station is technically in Malaysia. Walk and then stamp out of malaysian border office (without an entry stamp)? Then walk or motorbike to the thai border immigration office? Stamp "out" of thailand and then walk back into Malaysia? I think @vinniekintana confused the fact that there are in fact two separate border checkpoints at Padang Besar (train and vehicle/foot) ----- I agree with the advice to either take the train, or go via Sadao/Dannok. No photos allowed inside the Thai Danok immigration arrival office. (That's a story for another time).

Chiang Mai (maybe not right now with the air quality issue). Ubon Ratchathani??? But it depends on what exactly you need fixed. And how old is the phone? A charging port or battery? Maybe volume or power buttons? relatively easy fixes. A screen, digitizer, or mainboard? It is usually worth it to just buy a new one.