I found two great videos on the DTV.
One is an interview with a Deputy General of Consular Affairs clearing up a lot of common questions people have about the DTV. The interview starts around the 3:23 mark. [members only]
The second is from Siam Legal about the Soft Power Activities option. [members only]
Some key information from the first video is that:
*You cannot apply for the DTV while in Thailand.
* After 180 days you can apply for an extension of another 180 days without doing a border run and leaving the country or having to provide proof that you are still eligible under whatever terms you applied (digital nomad or Soft Power Activities: medical appointments, conferences/seminars/festivals, Muay Thai training, Thai Yoga Massage training, Thai cooking lessons, etc.). There is no cost for this extension!
*After 360 consecutive days in residence however, you would have to leave Thailand. In the video they mentioned as short as a week, but gave no minimum (It could be less?) but you do not have to go far or outside the region). This would have a fee.
*You still have to check in every 90 days with this visa.
*After leaving the country you could then return for another 180+180 days as long as it’s still within the 5 year window, but you would then need to provide new documentation of either continued remote work, soft power activities or another medical appointment. I am not sure if this has a fee.
*Every time you leave and return to Thailand (within the five year window) the 180 day clock restarts after which you could apply for another 180 day extension. (I don’t believe it was specifically said, but I think you would have to resubmit documentation of either remote work, soft power activities or medical appointments at this time as well.) I am not sure if this has a fee.
*As of the making of that video, there is no minimum amount of time you have to engage in soft power activities to be eligible. I took that to mean you could schedule as little as a few days of soft power activities but as people have noted here your acceptance may depend on the official who is reviewing your application.
Hope this helps someone the way it helped me! Let me know if anything is different from how I described based on the videos or personal experience!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion covers key details about the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand, referencing two videos that clarify common questions. Important points include that one cannot apply for the DTV while in Thailand, the ability to request 180-day extensions without a border run, and the requirement to leave the country after 360 consecutive days. Users debated the implications of visa extensions being potentially free, the necessity of checking in every 90 days, and updated requirements for re-entry, emphasizing the current lack of clarity on extension processes and costs. Multiple comments point out discrepancies in the provided information, particularly around extension fees and the necessity of presenting documentation upon re-entry.
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