Caldera

It should be noted that among those who whine the loudest are the IOs who benefitted from allowing people to exploit the loopholes. They'll find new loopholes soon enough and the cycle just starts over again... You're being very disingenuous if you picture this as an effort by outsiders to scam immigration. I don't recall ANY immigration scam in Thailand that didn't have IO involvement in one form or another. Education visas without attending classes, volunteer visas without volunteering anything other than money, retirement visas without meeting the financial requirements, out and in border runs, you name it.

But your WISE transfers are to Kasikorn Bank, not to Bangkok Bank, right? I think the poster you've quoted makes a valid point - there's a broad range of issues for foreigners using Bangkok Bank nowadays.

That the landlord is an individual (not a company) could be established with the usual documents requested. The additional ones that the OP is being asked for are way over the top.

That will depend on the local bank branches and your wife's nationality, I wouldn't take this lightly right now. She will probably need some additional supporting documents, such as secondary ID from her passport country (ID card or DL) and Thai proof of residence (residence certificate from immigration, lease, etc.). Even then, some banks will likely just say "no" in the current climate.

You wrote that the first transaction happened three months ago, so speaking of responsibility, first and foremost you failed to inform your bank about the fraudulent charge right away. Don't you get a SMS or push notification instantly whenever a card transaction happens? If not, make sure to set that up when you get your new card.

It might be hard to get a recent firsthand report, because it currently doesn't make any sense to apply for a tourist visa in Vientiane.

That's why his followers understand him. Let that sink in.

How using a branch in Bangkok leads to a 3000 baht price increase is anyone's guess. At some point they'll be better off just producing the documents outright and giving the IO a little extra to scrutinize the documents even a little bit less.

You really need to give more details. What did you buy? Are you in Thailand, and did you send the money FROM a Thai bank? When did that happen and what communications have you had or attempted with the seller since?

But not with a Thai residential address, right?

It's reasonable to assume that many people call it that, because that's what it says on the entry stamp you get there. Others call it the Chong Chom / O'Smach border crossing after the border towns on both sides. Nothing wrong with either, but it can certainly cause confusion.

What can you update there? Do they allow you to upload your new passport nowadays, or is that just a KYC questionnaire?

Most importantly, I would keep quiet about it.

I agree, that goes way beyond ensuring that you actually stay where you say you stay. The landlord should be obliged to provide their ID, the rental property's house book, the TM30 receipt - and nothing else.

Hard to tell how much of a problem that really is, but in any case, I think what they don't get is that it would be much more efficient to do some proper vetting for the FIRST marriage extension and then make it easier for subsequent ones. It's deplorable that they tend to treat foreigners who have been married for many years like criminals. Bedroom pictures, house visits with interviewing the neighbors, now those new forms and the need to have a witness for a wife affidavit... no self-respecting person who has alternatives should be willing to play along with that nonsense.