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Answered8 months ago

What should I say to immigration when entering Thailand on a DTV visa?

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Farang **********
asked Mar 13, 2026
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Hey

Entered into bkk Suvarnabhumi airport last night, it was super busy huge lineups. I picked the line that seemed to be moving the fastest

But when the girl seen my DTV Visa  and digital arrival card information she asked me, What’s your employment ?? and I said nil at the moment but I’m here on the DTV visa

She said doing what? I said Thai nature course, monthly seminar, and she laughed and I said well I was gonna do Muay Thai, and she said oh what you expect them to be for five years ? and I just said well that’s what the consulate approved it for.

She noticed on my phone cover a picture of my Thai girlfriend and she said to me this is why I get angry, if you lie !!! next time just say you’re coming to spend time with your girlfriend …… and then she stamped in frustration and I went through, but that left me really confused. It’s almost like she wants me to say I’m not here to do anything. I’m just here to spend time with my girlfriend……

I did notice them pulling a lot of people aside so I do think they’re getting a lot more strict now. As regardless what my tv soft power was she could still laugh and have that attitude
Answer summary
The post discusses a traveler's experience at Suvarnabhumi Airport while entering Thailand on a DTV visa. The traveler faced scrutiny from an immigration officer regarding their purpose of stay and employment status, leading to confusion and frustration. Others have shared similar experiences, indicating varying interactions with immigration officers in Thailand, with some expressing that being too specific about activities like attending Thai nature courses or Muay Thai classes could lead to increased questioning. The post suggests that attitudes from immigration personnel may vary and that being vague about the purpose of the visa could facilitate smoother entry.
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Wannikea *********
Wannikea *********
I think the female officers are prone to jealousy / animosity because they probably want a falang boyfriend to take care of them.
Joolz *******
Joolz *******
Wait til September comes loads of 60 plus arriving DTV , on soft option , cooking courses, Thai Culture etc, and the odd Muay Thai. Can't blame people really, no Snowbird options when eventually the 60 day on arrival finishes.
Celine ********
Celine ********
She has done a job, that all
Ron ******
Ron ******
The problem with antedoctal reporting is that it represents a,biased self-selecting report. On average though it appears that the majority of negative DTV stories are anonymous posters...if you are ruling out the possibility of bots or human manipulation on social media, than so be it. Visa agencies, certain govt employees don't like the DTV because it has a 5 year validity, so less tea money is earned. Casual observation suggests that most problems arise from muaythai or cooking classes approaches, and those not waiting for visa in the country that they applied. So,apologies to those who actually were delayed.
Colin **********
Colin **********
You’re here on a dtv that allows you to work remotely and stay for up to 5 years for 6 months a time. that’s the visa and the rules. So what if you have a Thai girlfriend as well. That’s irrelevant, do they expect you to be a monk ?
Frazer ************
Frazer ************
Last time I entered Thailand on my DTV, the immigration officer asked about the visa, my reasons for staying, and what I do for work. I explained everything in Thai—I've lived here for 12 years on various different visas and speak it to a conversational level.

I told her it's a 5-year multiple-entry visa for digital nomads like me. I'm the director of an overseas company, so it allows me to stay in Thailand while managing my remote business abroad, with up to 180 days per entry—just need to re-enter every 6 months or so to reset.

She listened, said 'Ah okay, welcome to Thailand,' and stamped my passport right away—no drama.

These questions are just routine checks: they're required to ensure no one's misusing the visa by working for Thai companies or taking local gigs (which is strictly not allowed—it's only for remote/foreign work). A lot of the minor hassles people report come from officers still getting trained on the new DTV rules and how it works for genuine remote workers.

I think speaking Thai really helped too. Explaining in English might not have come across as clearly due to language barriers—many immigration officers have only A2-level English (or sometimes less), so being able to chat in Thai probably made everything smoother and quicker for both sides.

As long as you're upfront, stick to foreign/remote work, and can explain clearly, it usually goes fine like it did for me. In cases where your DTV was approved for things like cooking courses, I'm guessing they will look into it deeper. They want to ensure your funds to continue to live in Thailand are coming from abroad and not the local economy. In that case you just need to prove that you have income to support yourself and where it comes from.
James ******************
James ******************
I came through Phuket 2 days ago and had a female officer. Zero questions asked, she even pushed aside and ignored my dtac info when I handed it to her. She stamped my passport and then just ignored me.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
Touched down at 00:45am at Suvarnabhumi last night. Holding DTV with Thai nature course as well. Went through a female custom. Not a question been asked.

I think it’s depends on luck as well
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
Anonymous participant 713 yeah I picked wrong one clearly
Ian **********
Ian **********
Listen up everyone. The DTV was designed by the MFA and immigration do not like it, but it is a tourist visa and the only reason you can enter Thailand is for a holiday. So, even if you are on a soft power course it is still a holiday. The information on the screen does not show anymore details than the information on your actual visa, so the IO does not know if you're workcation or soft power. Your answer should always be "I'm here for a vacation. Is there something wrong with my visa. It was issued by the Royal Thai Embassy, so do I need to contact them?" There is no obligation for an onward flight or 20k baht, but all entries must be able to supply an address for the first 24 hours. This is because they may need to contact you due to a virus outbreak on the plane etc. After 24 hours you will have been registered using TM30, as that is the law. :D
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
@Ian *********
good info cheers
CapableC********
CapableC********
No Engrish - *stamped*
Alyxe ******
Alyxe ******
From all accounts there's been increased strain on Thailand's immigration system since the Iran War began, and that seems to be leading to stricter controls at the airports.
ベリ**
ベリ**
actually I agree I happened to visit Vietnam because it’s warm in Thailand now so I went for a mountains and it was my first time coming back on DTV and girl officer was very rude and asked about my employee paycheck I was very confused because I’m the ceo of my own company on workcation Dtv and she asked for my salary she thought some agency send me and than she called someone and they let me go when I explained I did found it very rude an unpleasant because there’s nowhere in description written that I’m required to show anything like that also they have in the system all the necessary info too so yeah some of the officers definitely try to stir trouble for no reason and that’s just very unprofessional especially from an officer
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
@ベリ**
yep definitely can happen, yet all these people calling me a liar ? Because they not had an issue and so special
ベリ**
ベリ**
@Farang *********
yeah they probably use memory of the past experiences or they just way to ignorant but nonetheless it’s absolutely real and for my first 6 months living here I also found out no matter how kind or how much you appreciate their culture they will treat you just like walking atm so the slogan land of smiles should be land of greed instead its more accurate 😪
ベリ**
ベリ**
@Farang *********
yeah but fr there are so many 😭😭 it’s like their lifelong mission is to infiltrate every country and annoy everyone out of existence 🥲
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
@ベリ**
yeah very hard avoid Indians can only do our best 😅
ベリ**
ベリ**
@Farang *********
that’s true as well, for a country that wants to be badly the leader of ASEAN they seem to be doing very bad choices as leading country, despite their mind blowing greed they chose the worst behaving people on the planet to be their main target for tourism and also when it comes to wealth as well India is poor in many ways that’s just facts! But I’m actually happy to be here too I was planning to move here for a long time and it was very hard process and I do like Thailand and Thai people a lot I was always happy here which is also why it is very heartbreaking to see what is actually happening. Not to mention the disrespect from people of India and bad behavior towards not only others but also for Thai people Thai culture and manners and hygiene in general … I’m not sure if it’s just stupidity or is out of desperation but they are also in very non existent competition with South Korea and China for some reason where it’s more obvious that they cannot compete where they cannot compare 🤷🏼‍♂️ it’s ridiculous they both drove them out off country especially when it’s not a secret that Chinese and South Koreans are well behaved tourists and they also have the 💵 🤷🏼‍♂️ … but it is what it is and it’s also pointless to intervene in any way we just have to sit this through and find alternative ways and places that we can enjoy without those pesky humans from India 🙄😇 waaa it’s always the grind to find such places but they do exist ! Hahaa
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
@ベリ**
yeah surprisingly they seem to favour Indians etc who are worst people to come and turn away the decent people, I’ve done all right things and get hassled but still happy be in Thailand, but I understand all your saying it’s true
ベリ**
ベリ**
@Farang *********
well they are actually their worst enemy, with what is happening in the world and with very strong baht it’s just a measure of time when the bubble burst they all collectively decided to be greedy for money and made everything expensive especially for their own people so in the end they making Thailand cheap again for us 🙃 people are already seeing this and leaving Thailand for other countries it’s very disappointing they cause unnecessary trouble for people like us that chose to stay anyway and play by their rules 🤷🏼‍♂️ for a Buddhist country the amount of greed is mind blowing 🤯
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
@ベリ**
yeah place is great but can easily turn bad, good and bad like anywhere, don’t know what happened but we gotta be vigilant I’m just happy I got let in ! But unfortunately we are walking atms
Don *******
Don *******
Whoever wrote this needs an AI to fix it. M
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
@Don ******
cmon jet lagged just woke up wrote it, not best I know but point made 😅
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
Believe what you why fk would I post about it if bs ??
I'm_an*******
I'm_an*******
she was making a joke, but you didn’t catch it.
Min *******
Min *******
Don't trust this BS post! Never saw immigration officers act like that.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
@Min ******
Oh you’re one of those dudes who thinks he’s the center of the world and has seen and experienced everything. 🤡 How many IOs and daily entries?!
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
@Min ******
guess your special then
Dragan **********
Dragan **********
You should of said i am a content creator .

I do onlyfans videos 😂
Ian **********
Ian **********
@Dragan *********
As Onlyfans is illegal in Thailand that's probably not a good idea, especially if she asks you to prove it.
Alexander *********
Alexander *********
@Ian *********
Selling 'foot pictures' isn't illegal.
Dragan **********
Dragan **********
@Ian *********
😂special requests
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
@Dragan *********
next time 😂
Dragan **********
Dragan **********
@Farang *********
just curious .

I’m doing and following research.

Did you get DTV in your own country or in Thailand?
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
@Dragan *********
don’t think you can get it in Thailand thought had to get in another country ?
Dragan **********
Dragan **********
@Farang *********
ah I see .

There’s one reason .

I had a feeling you didn’t get it in Thailand.

I know others that got it in their own countries and had similar issues.

My curiosity is they don’t like things issued outside.

Regardless how many documents or approved things you have .

Next time you hear someone with a similar issue ask them where they got their visa from
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
@Dragan *********
in Australia
James *******
James *******
I’ve entered multiple times 10+ on DTV, never had issues. However 4 weeks ago I had a long process of 15 minutes before being stamped.

Then I re entered 2 days ago in 30 seconds no issues.

It happens. Who knows why maybe IO bad day. And it could happen to anybody.
Sam *********
Sam *********
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
Sam *********
Sam *********
@Farang *********
Stop telling fibs, pinochio.
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
@Sam ********
not dumbas$
El***
El***
I had no issue two nights ago at bkk. Really long line but stamped and in. I’ve had my dtv a little over a year and entered 4 times with no issue other than the first time being asked some valid friendly questions 🤷
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
El-Ee yeah really don’t know what triggered this lady aye
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
I call BS
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant 586 I call you BS. Why? No reason, no argument. He's not the first poster reporting troubles at borders these days.
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
Anonymous participant 586 ?? Why bs …. Yeah from Australia it was an option 5 year Thai nature course monthly seminars, approved in Canberra consulate. was cheapest option

Apparently tho it’s no longer meant to be 5 years so becomes complicated, but the io said even must Thai obviously wasn’t 5 years

Believe what u want but it happened to me last night

Just letting others know so they prepared upon entry
Ron ******
Ron ******
Calling bs on these anonymous posters, most likely visa agencies stirring crap
ベリ**
ベリ**
@Ron *****
calling bs on you too fb comment hero, invalidating someone’s experience like you supervised every single Dtv entry 😂
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
@ベリ**
💯 A lot of these sad dudes here pretend to know every single IO and their job and they insult anyone who reports bad experiences with the DTV. This seems to be changing now with recent posts.
Marc ********
Marc ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer 569 I know of 3 now with this one🤷‍♂️
Kevin *******
Kevin *******
I always choose a male officer. They are more chill
Justin ****
Justin ****
@Kevin ******
there wasn't any on last night around 10:30 pm
Kevin *******
Kevin *******
@Justin ***
unlucky haha
Justin ****
Justin ****
@Kevin ******
that's what I thought but it was probably the easiest entry I've ever had. Only issue I had was with a bloke actually
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
@Justin ***
I came about 9pm none then either
Oliver *****
Oliver *****
@Kevin ******
this is true.
Farang **********
Farang **********
OP
@Kevin ******
didn’t see any males come to think of it
DTV_Be*******
DTV_Be*******
She was obviously flirting with you

Then she got jealous once she saw your GF

it happens
Marc ********
Marc ********
DTV_Begpacker seems to me the opposite. She had sympathie for him after she saw he wants to go to his GF
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
There are more and more reports about people struggling at borders, even on a visa.
Dany ********
Dany ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer 569 only from anonymous users like you 🤣
James *******
James *******
No plenty of real accounts. Hopefully you’ll experience it soon
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
@Dany *******
Ah great you're here. Here is a good one for you 🤡
********************************************
Paradise **************
Paradise **************
@Dany *******
Just because something didn't happen to you, it doesn't meant to be untrue.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
@Dany *******
OK so in the end you admit some DTVs may struggle at the border for whatever reason. That was my point of anonymous. 👌
Dany ********
Dany ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer 569 exactly what i just said. people talk „i am on holiday“. purpose of DTV is not holiday. first error.
Anonymous ******************
Anonymous ******************
@Dany *******
Great. So do you represent 100% of the people entering the borders? Go check that post and see what people with or without names have to say.
Dany ********
Dany ********
Anonymer Teilnehmer 569 i entered many times on my DTV and its never an issue… so i assume people cause confusion and questions with their own behavior and answers… my TDAC for example always states as a purpose: workcation according to DTV regulations… if you put something like holiday then surely they could think that you are abusing the visa which is not meant for „just holiday“

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