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Does the visa category (Workation vs. Soft Power) actually matter in Thailand?

Thai visa categories DTV visa Workation visa Soft Power visa Visa extension rules Immigration policy Expat advice Remote work in Thailand

Jul 9, 2025

5 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

In reality does it actually matter under what category you apply? Workation or Soft Power? The actual visa is exactly the same.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The conversation debates whether it matters under which category (Workation or Soft Power) one applies for a visa in Thailand, noting that the actual visa remains the same. Some comments suggest that extensions may be easier under a Workation visa due to ongoing activity requirements, while others argue that the interpretation of rules can vary and lack clear guidelines. The discussion also highlights confusion regarding requirements for extensions and participation in activities related to the Soft Power visa.

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Same visa with different categories learn, remote work, medical.

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

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James ********

Anonymous participant sadly, it's wrong information. Guesswork at best. Way too early to REALLY know what will happen in the coming year or years with the DTV Visa. Enjoy it while we can.🤩

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 184 are you in charge of the Group? 😂

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 184 that’s not the question. The question is do you need to keep doing courses after the initial six months IF you leave the country. Btw I have had multi entry O, marriage and retirement extensions for the last 8 years so I do have half a clue 😉.

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Anonymous *************

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

To be honest from what I have read - no one knows! Posts saying “you need more courses” - what about “more clients” or still proof of 500k? I think if you don’t get extensions at Immigration and just travel it should be straight forward. (BTW I’ve just applied for Medical treatment ) I have read “everything” and nowhere does it say you need more courses or more medical treatment.

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Peter *********

No difference. Getting an extension will be easier if you're working though and no need to buy more classes.

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Peter ********

evidence of this? As far as I’m aware - once you fulfill the requirements for originally getting the Visa - that’s it for 5 years.

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Dany ********

Anonymer Teilnehmer extensions need all documents and proof again and more… freshly dated. so you would need to border run every 180 days to prevent further checks. but things can change in the future

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

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Anonymous ******************

Participant(e) anonyme Google AI is wrong... You need ALL THE DOCUMENTS. Dany has got his extension at immigration and knows what he's talking about. Check his previous posts on this group.

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 184 AI says you need ALL your documents and your proof of 500k. I’m talking about leaving the country.

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Anonymous ******************

Participant(e) anonyme My bad if I misunderstood you. For leaving/return, no one really knows. It may or may not. Thailand is known for its constant changing rules and it gets stricter with time (extensions, banks, etc.)

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Siggi *******

Anonymous participant 184 no you don't need anything when you leave and come back same as non O visas and non b visas or MTV's. Why someone would be so stupid and try and extension? It's a tourist visa and tourist are meant to travel.

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Anonymous ******************

Well happened to me on a Non-B twice in 15 years so I can definitely confirm that can happen. Certainly not common but possible. But yes for DTV Exits/Returns nothing is asked for now as I said to another person. You just can't predict it will remain that way or not.

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 184 I know I’ve lived there for the last 8 years!

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Anonymous *************

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John **********

Depends if they specify in the comments or not

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Dom ********

Yes, soft power requires to continue the soft power activity throughout your time in Thailand on the DTV.

Enforcement of that is very low but as you’ll know sentiment can change overnight in Thailand

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Siggi *******

no softpower does not require to continue, once given it is valid. Also you don't need to have the 500.000 on a bank account anymore.

And for all the trolls here: you can't change backwards requirements, only for future visas. This is call the grandfather rule and it exist in all countries

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Anonymous ******************

Sure. What's about the extensions rules that came MONTHS AFTER the issuance of the first DTVs? Explain the concept of grandfathering in that case? You're just guessing what no ones can predict.

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Peter *********

Anonymous participant 184 Wrong. The rules about extensions and re entries were set from the start. And NOTHING has changed nearly a year later.

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Peter *********

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

evidence of this ?

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Dom ********

Anonymous participant you’re asking me for evidence that the soft power dtv requires you to take part in the soft power? 🤔 the evidence is in the name mate

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

no - that you need more than the initial six months to get the visa - which is what you said? “Yes, soft power requires to continue the soft power activity throughout your time in Thailand on the DTV.”

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Anonymous *************

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Dennis ******

any official source on that requirement of throughout attendance?

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Anonymous ******************

Extensions with immigration for example. These require ongoing activity. Exits/Returns so far not but could eventually change.

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Anonymous ******************

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Can I work remotely on a soft power visa in Thailand, and do I need proof of class enrollment for re-entry?

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