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Should I wait for a new passport before applying for a DTV in Thailand?

Thai VISA DTV Visa Visa Runs Immigration History Passport Issues Visa Extensions

Jan 21, 2025

3 months ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

I've done a lot of visa runs, extensions, including land border runs in Laos and Myanmar. But I've been mostly living out of Thailand for over a year, but still visited and extended. When I use this passport I get asked what I'm doing in Thailand. Should I not get a DTV until I get a fresh passport? Or is this not a problem?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around the concerns of obtaining a new passport prior to applying for a Digital Visa (DTV) in Thailand, after facing frequent questions regarding immigration history. Experts in the comments advise that getting a new passport won't erase past records since biometrics like fingerprints and facial recognition are tied to prior entries. Despite these challenges, it is recommended to continue with the DTV application as it may help legitimize the status, and the history will still be accessible regardless of passport changes.

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

So they don't care about history once you have DTV or am I still getting investigated on arrival?

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Layla *******

How did u do a lot of visa runs? I did the third one and got held at the immigration 😥

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Layla *******

I see! Thank you

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

you might as well get the DTV, I just had no plan so I did runs, the DTV is much better for long term

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

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Todd *********

he hasn’t done a lot of visa runs. Only been here a year. But if you want to do a LOT you need to go with an agency!

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

they didn't allow you through?

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Layla *******

Anonymous participant they did, but wrote a remark that this would be the last time

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

I did it for 1.5 years but also 3-4 week exits in between some of it, not all borders

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

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

Yes. It's beneficial to get a new passport. And whilst you're waiting for your new passport get your fingerprints changed and have a bit of plastic surgery to alter your facial biometrics. Then you're laughing!

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Wesley ********

They have computers. Everything is on record. Try for the DTV, at least you’ll legitimise yourself

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Greg ********

It has not been the issuers of the visa ie MFA, that have asked questions of those with "Complicated Immigration Histories" but Immigration so new passport will not help. If you have only been doing it a year it is not that "Complicated" - go for it. Those reporting questions seem to be multi-year and multi-visa types. The ED Visa seems to trigger things too. Things do seem to be getting tighter so I would go for it sooner rather than wait - good luck

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Sean *******

Yes get new passport.

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Sean *******

Worked for me when I had a dodgy volunteer visa.

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Jeremy *****

they still see every single time you come and go 🤦‍♂️😂😂😂😂

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Jeremy *****

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Will ************

Your history is there forever

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

Agree with both comments. A new passport will not clear your past history. You may still get questioned.

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Kool *******

Fresh passport makes no difference, as they have your finger prints, and facial recognition for past reference triggering their computer system. Thailand is actually very modern now computer wise. A new passport makes no difference.

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Henrik *****

Getting a new passport wont remove your information from the Immigration office computer, you are also registered with your face and fingerprint, so they will match it with your previous passport in seconds.

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

the thing is there is something that must be noted on my current passport because they go through it thoroughly and then only end with the question what are you doing in Thailand and how long are you staying, so I feel like there's something problematic about what's noted on it

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

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