What are the best visa options for digital nomads moving to Chiang Mai, Thailand?

I have been a digital nomad in Thailand for about 7 years, kinda lost track, Thailand will do that to you.

I have done years of Tourist Visas. In the era of Covid I was on a volunteer visa. That seems to not be an option any more.

Any of your visa options will be questionable/illegitimate. The question really, is what will work. As for your Malay partner, I think they have different and more favorable options (ASEAN member).

I take a certain risk but I think its worth it and I am aware of the consequences.

If you are refused entry you can try entering from a different port of entry. I have read, in this group, people being rejected at one port of entry, going to another and getting in without issue.

Airport immigration may refuse you entry, in which you have may have different options available to you, - Return to the country you came from, go to a different country, or return to your home country. The options available depend on your immigration officer. I have read some people are required to go to their home country while others are given options.

If I am feeling nervous I will choose to cross a land border, if I am feeling brave I will enter through the airport.

Twice I have been 'spoken to' by immigration supervisors. Once at the airport and one in Nong Khai (Lao border). Both times the the immigration officer was pretty cool. They told me this, that, and the other thing. But they always told me "when you come back", never did they tell me "don't come back".

I think a lot has to do with your personality and attitude when dealing with border immigration officers. I think some people act like entitled dick-heads and get treated as such.

be respectful and grateful and you should be ok.

The airport immigration supervisor (mentioned above) told me doing back to back visa runs was ok but I should stay away for a couple of weeks. So I go some place (Seoul, Vietnam, Bali, etc) stay a couple of weeks.

Thai embassy in Australia offer multiple entry visas with various different requirements.

Still nothing police can do about it unless you are paid by clients in Thailand. Nobody can police what somebody does on a laptop or phone calls all day.

Check this one, BOI just lauch new acheme smart visa for gital normads who wants to live here.

Thai visa.com try to use a professional service why your visa is for work not just pleasure .worth the fee in the long run.

There is literally no way anyone could know you are working remotely unless you ring the police and tell them

Try Malta until they get there act together.

"In December 2020, Thailand's Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration approved a proposal from the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) which would allow freelancers and digital nomads to work In Thailand for up to four years under the pre-existing "Smart Visa" program. The proposal is currently waiting for approval from the Thai Cabinet and not yet in force."

There might be a solution for digital nomads in the works.

If you are under 50 there really isn’t a fully legitimate way for you to stay in Thailand long term. You could get a Special Tourist visa which gives you up to 270 days - but no guarantee that visa will continue beyond next September. Otherwise it’s a Tourist Visa and then you’d leave the country every 90 days and get a new visa (unless they continue Covid extensions).

Otherwise, you pay an agent for a year visa (Education or Volunteer).

None of these allow you to legally work in Thailand but if you are working on a computer in your apartment and don’t tell anyone then you are unlikely to be found out.

Whichever way you look at it, working in Thailand requires a work permit. Unless your company is prepared to set up a subsidiary in Thailand and employ you, you will be working illegally. Many do it of course, but if you're caught out, you will probably get booted, so keep that in mind