Can I enter Thailand while waiting for my DTV visa approval?

Application must be made outside, but entry shouldn’t be a problem as you would be entering on an exemption. However you would need to leave and re enter for it to kick in.

The biggest problem in my mind is if you apply by way of agent or VPN while in the country when re-entering, immigration can see you where in the country when application was made, and that could possibly cause some issues, although not heard of it happening, it doesn’t mean it can’t.

Technically you can enter Thailand under 60 days stamp and it would not effect granting DTV. After granting DTV you will have to leave Thailand and re-enter with new DTV visa. Possible you will be not effected at all if lucky enough.

But generally it's still will be breaking rules. And if immigration officers will pay attention very well after during reentry or extensions it would be visible by dates that you were in Thailand when DTV was granted everyone would be able to see it by visa stamps. Generally it's not a big problem but can raise questions every time from immigration officers.

Anyway I would not recommend it to do to anyone. But if you have no choice under emergency situation...

Why would you not be allowed to enter visa exempt or visa on arrival (depending on your passport)?

You already made your application from out of Thailand.

My daughter’s application was still being processed when our flight was originally supposed to leave and they requested different documentation for flight itinerary saying they couldn’t process it while she was in Thailand. We sent our updated itinerary which was for four days later and they approved it the next day 🤷‍♀️

Happy to send you the email from my visa agent/lawyer saying it was fine to go to Thailand whilst you wait for DTV

I went.

Came home.

DTV granted the next day.

Language used here is “during the visa process”. Still vague terminology, but seems broader than “applying”. Wouldn’t you think the all steps from sub missing to visa granted would be considered part of the “process”?

Wouldn’t take the risk, and loose the 10.000 Baht fee.