What are the current uncertainties regarding the renewal and re-entry process for the new Thai visa?

@Graham ******

An agent contacted me on WhatsApp offering me as much. Are they Thai MFA employees or "Local hire"?

@Greg *******

locals. So might not be in the database, fun and games at the border too late by then.

@Graham ******

I would have thought similar. MFA career employees would be risking too much for so little.

@Graham ******

I see in Chiang Mai the border bounces need to have 2 nights in Laos now - Thai Immigration imposed this.

@Greg *******

The Smart Visa doesn't help retirees! They pay 0% tax!

@Andy ***********

What about the new tax rules. It may not be many but some bringing in decent amounts may get caught up. Not all retirees are balloon chasers drinking in OnNut :-):-) Of course then they will be on LTR Visa for 10 years.

@Greg *******

I doubt you'll find many bringing in more than the 65k per month, and many bring in less than that who use agents to scam the 800k deal. I bring in 75-80k but I have a great public service pension from Australia, so I'm in a better position than many. As many pensions are not taxable in Thailand, I can't see retirees being a priority target for Thailand Revenue!

@Andy ***********

I think we mix in different circles. 65K a month would not go far with the guys I know :-) I agree about the Tax Situation. I think it has been overblown by bedwetters and dodgy agents trying to sell their services. The Thai Tax return is not an onerous form to complete but the company I worked at paid Tax consultants to do it for the Expats. Straightforward for most. The only difference now is the money the year was earned, has Tax been paid on it and what is the DTA conditions. The new rules are aimed at wealthy Thais.

@Greg *******

And on the tax situation I 100% agree with you. The "tax agents" are muscling in alongside the "visa agents" to scare and scam expats. Sad thing is so many believe them!

@Andy ***********

One who was a bit "In your face" I decided to dig deeper. The domain was registered just after the announcement. He was previously an unregulated and unlicensed "Financial Advisor". Being an expat for 20 years in Asia these guys are a pain. Getting their appointment setters to call our offices and LinkedIn messages etc. One reason I stopped ever giving business card out in Bangkok as they are sold on for the numbers. Our Thai Admin staff in Bangkok used to get sick of them calling on a daily basis. They would never ever get put through to anyone.

@Greg *******

Obviously we do mix in way different circles. The people you mix with probably hang around places like Nana and Cowboy. I'm sure it's very easy to burn through money there. You are aware that most teachers in Thailand are WORKING for about 40k a month and think the place is great! I could not live on 40k a month. I need decent food (not street rubbish) either cooked at home or in a decent restaurant (I don't go to 7-11!), and I can only drink imported beer unless it's Carabao. I find 80k fits me fine, but trust me, there's a lot of expats out there doing it on less than that! Every year they go through the panic stage trying to scrape the absurd 25,000+ baht which these visa agent scammers charge to pay a bribe. I couldn't live like that. I had to lend a guy 10k just two weeks ago for his extension, and he'll pay me back at 1000 a week! Unbelievable huh? It seems you've little idea how many expats are "living" in Thailand! Very sad

@Andy ***********

I may have been to Cowboy etc in the past but I do like the upmarket Cocktail and Rooftop Bars too. Most Expats do not drink in those areas full time. This is not the 1990s. They cost a lot more than Cowboy or Nana. I am not one for chasing happy hour beers in The Old English with the English teacher lol. Went once and it was awful. I do not drink much these days but when I do it is where friends go. The cost of a beer is not the priority when choosing.

@Dave ****

I can think of a couple of other nationalities that could be added to the list!

@Dave ****

Provided they meet the criteria there's no reason a DTV will be cancelled. And let's face it, the criteria is hardly insurmountable

@Andy ***********

If there was a massive backlash, organised crime goups using the DTV, rising prices for local Thai's and forced out of areas. There are a lot of unintended consequences that force a rethink / u-turn. Politics and policies change change on a whim in Thailand. That is why I advise anyone wanted to get one is to get one now and not to wait 6 months.

@Greg *******

That kind of flow on wouldn't be noticed for years, and by then the economic advantages of the DTV will also be flowing on. There will be more "settled" expats living full-time in the country and contributing towards the economy. There's a lot of empty condos in Bangkok that need filling, and a lot of them are owned by government members, and more being built. The DTV is a great stimulus

@Andy ***********

Well neither of us can prove anything - it is a wait-and-see situation. I do find it funny you think DTV holders are the solution to unsold Condos in Bangkok. Wait a minute you said that type of flow would not be noticed for years and next breath saying empty condos will be filled. 🙂 Half a million empty units to fill is it? An awful lot of immigration to absorb. Just waiting for a Thai Tommy Robinson or Pauline Hansen.

@Greg *******

Never said they were the "solution" but having more full-time foreigners in the country will certainly help matters. The condo where I used to live at On Nut was virtually empty during covid and rents were dirt cheap. I still have a buddy there, and he tells me now it's like "Little Europe", predominantly Russians but just about every nationality represented. He reckons it's the only place on the planet where Russians and Ukrainians are actually friends! The more people who get these "almost-permanent" DTVs the more will be looking for stable accommodation. A drinking buddy who was previously a border-runner has always been apprehensive about signing a 12-month lease. Last week he got his DTV, and signed the lease the next day. The landscape is changing

@Andy ***********

Not enough to move the needle on empty units in Thailand. there might be a few hot spots such as in the cheaper areas of Bangkok like OnNut (lived there in 1999 for a year - 30k THB for a 6 bedroom house back then), Chiang Mai and some of the islands. How many DTV's will be issued before they say Hmm - maybe a rethink? They are not solving the current empty property issues with DTV's

@Greg *******

There's probably only a few thousand been issued, but wait another 1-2 years and they will be in the tens of thousands. Those people will all need somewhere to live. I agree it's not going to solve the problem, but every little helps. The more foreigners living in a specific area the more the economy of that area will improve.

@Andy ***********

No doubt the economy will improve if these people are spending. The question is are they spending? How much will they bring into the country if they are tax residents and taxed on monies brought in?

@Greg *******

That's one thing we'll have to adopt a "wait and see" approach to. But the outcomes won't be known for several years, which is why when people say the DTV will be cancelled soon because it's too popular it makes me laugh. It was introduced to get people into the country en-masse, and that's exactly what it's doing. The LTR failed to attract the applicants the government thought it would, so they've gone for a "scaled-down" version, and it's worked. On the subject of tax, if these people are bringing money in which is untaxed, sure they will be assessed. Somehow I can't see the taxing of expats in Thailand yielding a bumper crop for the tax office, but as retirees in pensions are all but out of the equation, the 180 days of the DTV might be catalyst for tax return filing. It might be a condition of extension that finances are revealed. Who knows? Irrespective of how little these DTV holders contribute, it's still a plus. What's better? A retired Cheap Charlie spending 5000 baht a week and renting ONE condo, or ten DTV'ers spending 2500 each and renting TEN condos. Economies of scale come into the equation

@Dave ****

I doubt it will be cancelled. It's selling like the proverbial hot cakes. I reckon within a year every current non-O holder will be on the DTV. I'll be one of them

@Dave ****

I can't see the logic behind that. The reason for the DTV was to get people into the country to help the economy. What's better? 1000 a week coming in, or 100? I'm not quite understanding the negativity from so many people. This is the best visa ever, and especially for retirees

@Andy ***********

How is this a better visa for retirees? The 300k less requirent? So you see this as the "Cheap Charlie" Visa now. How is that adding to the economy?

@Dave ****

Just wait till drug dealers, scam casino operators and convicted nonces are arrested. The Thais population might not be so keen. Many have no clue about this visa as of yet.

@Dave ****

Two pals from my home town visiting at the moment with Thai Wives and kids. Told them about this visa and it is perfect for them. Visit a few times a year for a few months. They were going for the Spouse Visa but this DTV is easier and more convenient. They will use a UK limited company to apply that they have and say work online while here

@Dave ****

I have a very small sample ie my ex Thai colleagues. Project Managers and Engineers at a global company. I had lunch eith them the other week and they did not like it for 2 reasons. 1) Why can Thais not get same for UK, USA if they are qualified 2) who will be coming in ie criminal record checks and how will it affect local Thais. They said we do not want to be another Cambodia

@Greg *******

But no checks are carried out on people entering on visa exempt, and then paying a visa agent for a long-term visa. There's really no difference

@Dave ****

Comparisons to other countries is of little value. The Thai government I'm sure will reassess the DTV in a few years time, and I'm sure if it's felt it's not achieving its desired outcome, it could be adjusted or cancelled. Don't forget Thailand has plenty of visa abuser paying big money to Immigration Officers via Visa Agents. The DTV might just end this unsavoury practice

@Andy ***********

That those agents and immigration do not get their money might contribute to the downfall. Politics then on a sixpence in Thailand too. There are plenty of fiefdoms and power battles. If I was to rely on a DTV I would be applying now and not waiting.

@Dave ****

I was surprised that the Privilege Visa people didn't kick up a fuss. I'd say the guy who "owns" this has been paid off already! The Privilege people have been conspicuous by their silence!

@Andy ***********

I think it is too early in the day for anyone to kick up a fuss be it Privilege Visa or Immigration. Been changes in government etc too. More things on their plate right now.

@Greg *******

Exactly. Government has too many other fish to fry at this point, but when Privilege does kick up a fuss, perhaps they'll have to explain why they bumped up their prices by an astronomical amount!

@Andy ***********

If there is a backlash and/or tightening up it will not be overnight. However it is why I am telling pals like those I mentioned above to get it now though and not wait. I am very much undecided for myself. My business partner and I were looking at the BOI Smart S Visa for the tax advantages ie 17% flat tax. My last working visa was a BOI on 15% flat tax rate. It certainly helps

@Dave ****

I can't see what a complaint will do. Sales of the Privilege Visa have all but stalled, whereas the DTV is leaping ahead. If they were going to try to stop it, they would have nipped it in the bud. But anyway, only time will tell, but I reckon the DTV is here to stay

@Andy ***********

I am considering moving from "O" to DTV, or BOI Smart "S". I am taking time to consider though. However, if DTV was my only option I would be getting it now rather than waiting. They can change the rules. current holders may not be affected but it may change. Look at the Elite/Privilege Visa as a case study.