thailand
Ask question

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"The chief acknowledged the 1979 Act was “out of date” and “not in line with modern countries” and travel procedures."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).
556
views
3
likes
25
all likes
18
replies
1
images
6
users
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 The chief acknowledged that the existing 1979 Act was outdated and not aligned with modern international standards.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A bit of outdated news.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
Like
Reply
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
Like
Reply
Michael ********
**********************************************************
*****
72/#cxrecs_s
6 years ago
Like
Reply
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
Like
Reply
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
Like
Reply
Zsolt ********
I'm not sure we are on the same page
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Michael ********
@Zsolt *******
 the article Thaiger has taken it from Channel 7 is dated 27th April
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Zsolt ********
Michael Dawson what? A month old article about his replacement? 🤔
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Michael ********
@Zsolt *******
 duh this is his replacement think you are thinking outdated
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Chris *****
Surely some form of ESTA like pre-approval is the way to go.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
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
Like
Reply
Steven ***************
Perhaps a working holiday visa something like Australia has.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
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
Like
Reply
Michael ********
Thought the term nomad means moving around
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Ivor ******
@Kyle *******
 interesting. I hope this turns into something good.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
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
Like
Reply
Ivor ******
@Kyle *******
 the Vietnam thing is interesting. Did it allow you to conduct remote work?
6 years ago
Like
Reply
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
Like
Reply
Reply to
Kyle ********
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
What are the community's thoughts on the future of the Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) in Thailand?
128 comments
2 months ago
Will visa costs change with the new PM in Thailand?
10 comments
3 months ago
What are the requirements and implications for the new digital nomad visa in Thailand?
81 comments
4 months ago
Why is the LTR Visa in Thailand failing to attract its target number of applicants?
77 comments
4 months ago
When will the new visa policies for Thailand be announced?
47 comments
5 months ago
What are the new changes regarding visas and immigration in Thailand?
0 comments
6 months ago
What are the updates on the upcoming changes to Thailand's visa rules?
4 comments
6 months ago
What visa options should I consider for moving to Thailand as a remote worker in 2025?
21 comments
6 months ago
What are the implications of the recent changes to visa policies in Thailand for expats?
12 comments
a year ago
What changes can expats expect regarding retirement visas from the new Thai Government?
23 comments
a year ago
What visa options are available for remote workers who want to stay in Thailand for 3-5 months legally?
8 comments
2 years ago
Will Thailand ever introduce a digital nomad visa?
39 comments
2 years ago
Is there a one-year nomad visa to work remotely from Thailand without a work permit?
6 comments
3 years ago
What is the latest on the proposed visa for digital nomads in Thailand?
21 comments
3 years ago
Will Thailand's Smart Visa for Digital Nomads be implemented this year?
28 comments
3 years ago
What updates can be expected from the Thai Immigration Bureau before the September 26th deadline?
7 comments
4 years ago
What is the proposed special visa for long-staying travelers in Thailand and how might it impact current expats?
40 comments
4 years ago
What is the future of obtaining a Thai visa with the introduction of the electronic E-Visa application?
0 comments
5 years ago
What are the updates on SMART visas for digital workers in Thailand?
6 comments
5 years ago
What are the expected changes to long stay visa procedures in Thailand?
0 comments
6 years ago
What are the anticipated changes in Thai visa rules in the future?
1 comments
6 years ago
What are the recent updates on work permit regulations in Thailand?
3 comments
6 years ago
What are the recent changes to work permit regulations in Thailand and how do they affect foreign workers?
54 comments
6 years ago
What is the new visa initiative being discussed in Thailand, separate from the Smart Visa?
3 comments
7 years ago
What are the key updates and insights about Thailand's Smart Visa?
36 comments
7 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.