URGENT - Thai visa question...can I leave town?

Hi word on street from Thailand expats is that all visa applications are being rejected at kl office for westerners so would be interesting to see if you do get one.

As for the visas I thought you couldn't enter a country while applying for one of its visas. But I could be wrong but thought I saw that somewhere

The three relevant responses are:
1. G8 country nationals can now stay in Thailand for 30 days on a tourist visa, if they arrive by land.
2. The visa will be valid from the date it is stamped and ready for collection. If you delay the length of the visa is just less.
3. The current lock down of Bangkok (started 13/01/14) means that no visa processing is being completed there, as the government offices are closed.

Point 3 isn't the reason although added problem. If you check out a well know Thai visa forum it seems Thailand got fed up with people doing visa runs to Thailand so started forcing people to go further.

Of course having lived in Thailand long enough I have seen enough bankrupted Canadians, Americans and Brits (in that order - never happens to Germans for some reason) who went to Thailand for a girl. Be careful!

Interestingly, a new Thai immigration office has just opened on Chulia in Georgetown,Penang to handle visa runs, but as there are fewer visas needed with the latest G8 rules (citizens of which are among the main tourists) there is a big impact on that type of business for Thai companies.  However, the visa application for a 3 month work permit sounds a bit odd - I assume you have been sponsored by a companies who  has provided you with a letter confirming your appointment and that they have the ability to hire and employ foreigners?

I guess he would be getting an Immi B Visa. You can't get a WP with a tourist visa you have to leave and re-enter Thailand