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What potential changes to Thai visa policies for remote workers were discussed in 2019?

Thai visa changesBusiness visaRemote work visaSMART VisaESTA pre-approval1979 ActVisa updates 2019
May 1, 2019
6 years ago
Kyle ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
"The chief acknowledged the 1979 Act was “out of date” and “not in line with modern countries” and travel procedures."

I know it's all purely speculation at the moment with regards to what changes are coming in 2019, but what might we see?

Surachate mentioned changes to business visas, I'm really hoping there is something to accommodate remote/online workers (although after the massive let down of the SMART Visa, probably not).
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TLDR : Answer Summary
In 2019, there were speculations about updates to Thai visa regulations, specifically regarding business visas, as noted by official Surachate. The chief acknowledged that the existing 1979 Act was outdated and not aligned with modern international standards. There were hopes for new provisions that might accommodate remote or online workers; however, past experiences with the SMART Visa raised concerns about effective implementation. Additional comments discussed similar visa programs in other countries and the idea of a pre-approval system akin to the ESTA.
Zsolt ********
A bit of outdated news. The guy has been fired and allegedly escaped from Thailand. Not sure on what visa though... 🙄
6 years ago
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Zsolt ********
Michael Dawson "But if there are still things that need to be changed, we'll fix them for the benefit of the country."

Exactly what I'm saying. He won't be seen as someone implementing plans of his predecessor
6 years ago
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Michael ********
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6 years ago
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Zsolt ********
@Michael *******
 I refer to the date of the quoted article.

On the other hand as many things in Thailand the legislative plans may change dramatically as a new person in charge takes matters over.

Just to have his footprints in the sand. Let's wait and see.
6 years ago
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Michael ********
@Zsolt *******
 read the link they say they took the article from. They must have made a typo you can also check on bangkok post and nation this is from a couple of days ago. Dont believe a phuket tabloid check trustworthy news sources first
6 years ago
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Zsolt ********
I'm not sure we are on the same page
6 years ago
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Michael ********
@Zsolt *******
 the article Thaiger has taken it from Channel 7 is dated 27th April
6 years ago
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Zsolt ********
Michael Dawson what? A month old article about his replacement? 🤔
6 years ago
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Michael ********
@Zsolt *******
 duh this is his replacement think you are thinking outdated
6 years ago
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Michael ********
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Chris *****
Surely some form of ESTA like pre-approval is the way to go.
6 years ago
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Ivor ******
Which modern countries have visas that are good for remote workers? I'm worried that these changes could make it worse.
6 years ago
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Steven ***************
Perhaps a working holiday visa something like Australia has.
6 years ago
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Ivor ******
@Michael *******
 yeah, digital expat is a better term for ling term stay. Our culture is evolving faster than our language so were still figuring out what to call things.
6 years ago
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Michael ********
Thought the term nomad means moving around
6 years ago
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Ivor ******
@Kyle *******
 interesting. I hope this turns into something good.
6 years ago
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Kyle ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I haven't used it, but Tom from Punspace is working on his biz there for 12 months with it, so can't see it being a problem.
6 years ago
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Ivor ******
@Kyle *******
 the Vietnam thing is interesting. Did it allow you to conduct remote work?
6 years ago
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Kyle ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
There are quite a few. When I had a USA B1 visa I was able to go for 6 months at a time to conduct business and had a lot of flexibility provided I wasn't employed by a US entity. I didn't have to produce half the evidence Thailand requires for their business visa.

Vietnam has a 1 year business visa too for ~$500.
6 years ago
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Kyle ********
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