What are the updates on SMART visas for digital workers in Thailand?

There was a quite a lengthy discussion about digital workers & SMART visas at the BOI meeting with the secretary general in Chiang Mai this morning.

Some points that may be of interest:

SMART visas have been updated, ones of most interest:

• Updated 6-month SMART S visa to work in Thailand for 6 months - no investment but requires health insurance

• Updated 2-year SMART S to work in Thailand for 2 years and set up a company – requires 600k baht of SAVINGS, 25%+ ownership + health insurance

There are plans to try and incorporate digital workers into the system with a work permit and integrate them into the tax system, but it’s not a priority.

However

The BOI only seem concerned about individuals who have strong skills and where there is a benefit from knowledge transfer AND who are contributing a decent portion of money to the Thai economy ($20k+ per annum)

They were definitely not impressed with the idea of nomads who come here and spend 15k/mo. What constitutes as a ‘digital’ worker was up for debate also, they didn’t see online teachers - for example - as being a digital worker.

It sounded like there may soon/eventually be a visa that supports long-term digital ex-pats working for remote companies (who are willing to pay tax) but not for people who come here for a few months of the year and spend an insignificant amount of money.