Quote Originally Posted by arsenal View Post
Getting clear non-ambiguous answers regarding visas from anywhere in the world is virtually impossible. It's always a lottery and the more you want from your visa the more complicated it will be.
I hear you on that, but it's too much of a generalization.
My experience at the Thai Consulate in Vancouver has been quite the opposite: the folks there were excellent, very precise and knowledgeable, and led me down no deep holes ... especially during the time of my application for the O-A Retirement Visa (granted, that was many years ago now).

And the group of Immigration officers in Hua Hin (a place I've had tons of visits to) have always been professional and very quick with The Stamp. In 10 years I've had not a run in, and only one minor screw up (which was taken care of toot sweet, with apologies).

But on the other hand, much angst has apparently been observed at the ChiangMai Imm Office. It has a very poor reputation.