| Chaining visa-exempt entries | Immigration tracks entries; back-to-back stamps → questioning or denial | Real visa (DTV, ED, Non-O) — visas.md |
| Assuming cannabis is simply legal | Decriminalized 2022, then re-restricted toward medical-only in 2025; rules in flux | Treat as regulated; never carry across borders |
| Trains "from Hua Lamphong" | Long-distance services moved to Krung Thep Aphiwat (Bang Sue) in 2023; only some ordinary trains still use Hua Lamphong | Check departure terminal per train before heading out |
| Taxi meter refusal at tourist spots | Driver quotes 3-5× meter price | Walk away; use Grab or hail a moving cab |
| Tuk-tuk "temple is closed" | Detour ends at commission gem/tailor shop | Temples rarely close; verify yourself, ignore touts |
| Booking "near BTS" listings | "Near" can mean an 800 m walk in 35°C heat | Check Google Maps walking time before booking |
| Renting in apartment buildings without checking electric rate | Buildings bill ฿7-8/unit vs government ~฿4-5 — doubles the AC bill | Ask the per-unit rate before signing |
| Ignoring 90-day reporting | ฿2,000 fine, compounds visa problems | Calendar it; online reporting when the site works |
| Working on a tourist stamp for Thai clients | Any work for Thai sources without permit = deportation risk | Foreign income only; DTV/LTR for legality — nomad.md |
| Jet ski and motorbike rentals with passport deposit | Damage-claim scam holds your passport hostage | Never leave passport as deposit; skip jet skis entirely |
| ATM habit withdrawals | ฿220 fee per withdrawal, every bank | Withdraw the max per transaction; bring a fee-reimbursing card |
| Renting sight-unseen in rainy season | Some sois flood ankle-deep every storm | Visit after heavy rain or ask in building's LINE group |
| Assuming the DTV shelters you from Thai tax | 180 days = tax resident; remitted income assessable since 2024 | Read taxes.md before any >6-month plan; LTR is the shelter route |
| Buying a condo in the first months | Oversupply + illiquid resale + unseen micro-location flaws | Rent 12 months in the target building/area first — property.md |
| Renting a scooter on a car license | Motorbike is a separate class: insurance void + checkpoint fines | Thai motorbike license first, or skip the scooter — driving.md |
| Visa deadline falling in Songkran week | Immigration closes ~Apr 12-16 | Extend before April 10 — festivals.md |