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Why do I keep facing questioning at immigration with my DTV visa in Thailand?

Jun 16, 2025
10 months ago
Hi, I'm a bit confused about my experience with the DTV visa in Thailand. I've entered Bangkok three times already, and the first time was smooth with no issues. However, the next two times, I encountered some questioning at immigration.

After my first entry in February, I traveled to Singapore in April and stayed for three weeks. When I returned to Bangkok, a female officer asked about my purpose for visiting Thailand. I explained that I'm taking cooking classes and showed her some photos. She also asked about my return flight to my home country.

When I returned from Singapore again in May, I encountered another female officer who asked why I applied for the DTV visa in Hanoi. I explained that it's for cooking classes and mentioned that I have a sister here. She asked for my return flight ticket, which I showed her, and then stamped my passport.

I'm wondering why I'm being questioned despite having a DTV visa. Should I mention my one-year condo lease in Bangkok during future entries? For context, I'm not working, and I visit Singapore regularly because my partner works there. Since we're not married, I opted for the DTV visa as it's more convenient for me to stay in Thailand than fly back to my home country, which is a four-hour flight. TIA.🙏
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user shares their confusion regarding increased scrutiny from Thai immigration officers upon re-entering Thailand with a DTV visa. Despite having a valid long-term visa for cooking classes and a condo lease, they faced questioning about their return flight and the purpose of their visa application in Hanoi. The conversation reveals concerns about the scrutiny DTV visa holders face, noting that having a visa does not exempt them from questioning, particularly as immigration seeks assurance of legitimate intentions. Commenters offer personal experiences and insights, emphasizing that questioning at immigration is common and may be influenced by the perceived short-lived nature of their activities compared to the long-term visa status.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Henrik *****
Why do you think Immigration Officers are not allowed to ask questions.

Would you like to work 10 - 12 hours, and have to refrain from speaking to your customers.

If you do things the right way, there is nothing to fear.
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Chomnisa ********
He asked you because he was doing his duty as a screening procedure.
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Chomnisa ********
Let me tell you about the immigration officer.
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Anonymous ******************
If you are male... Never go to any female officers. Speaking out of experience
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Andi ***********
Anonymous participant 986 Why not? My last entry processed by a female and no probs and have had many other entries processed by females with no issues.
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Anonymous ******************
@Andi **********
It's just my personal experience. It's not that every female had an issue but if I compare both male & female, I never had an issue with a male immigration officer somehow.

Maybe it's just a coincidence? I don't really believe in that tho. Could be the appearance maybe?🤣
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Andi ***********
Anonymous participant 986 What issues you had with females? Could be the appearance maybe????? your appearance or theirs?? l😉
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Anonymous ******************
@Andi **********
ohh different kinds... Questions asked even after not coming for over 2 years to Thailand and even go to the designated area for questioning... I was really surprised. I know it's their right but still surprised because I left Thailand after a few weeks, then returned after a few days and had a male officer..happily stamped without any hesitation.

And this kinda stuff happened so many times within past years.

Talking about the travelers appearance not theirs.

But like I said, maybe it's all just a big coincidence 🤣

Nevertheless, I'll stick to the male IO if I can and suggest others to try too if they have repeat issues with females.

Why make life harder if there is a simple solution ☺️
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Andi ***********
Anonymous participant 986 ok, I see . It does seem more of a big coincidence but if sticking to the guys works for you then just continue.m
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Andi ***********
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Adnan ********
you are on a visa so its normal to be asked some question, I am US citizen and everytime i go back to USA they ask me some questions, its normal in any country or airport all over the world....
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Travelling ********
Adnan Khairi No it isn't normal everywhere. As an European I can fly to anywhere in Europe without being asked a single question. A 1 second glance at my passport is all I get.
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Anonymous ******************
@Travelling *******
Normal in India too. They ask, so what were you doing in Thailand for such a long time. What is your profession.
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Anonymous ******************
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Dnatjugweme ************
Adnan Khairi In the US it's normal, I have heard. Not in my home country, a EU member country. I have never been asked a single question by immigration officers. The most they have said is "welcome back!". What should they ask by the way? For example, why I am coming back to my home country? Does it make any sense? Or where I have been? What does it make for a difference?
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Dnatjugweme ************
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Alex ********
You're questioning immigration during their job. Their sole purpose is to make sure that people come for good intentions, whatever it may be. They don't know anything about you and will do the same questioning with someone else. I have no issue if I am asked 50 different questions about why I'm in the country. If they don't see a return flight, that's normal to me. It's just safety at the end of the day
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Tommy ********
I said this a few weeks back in another group and all the newbies to Thailand dismissed it.

The DTV is a tourist visa long term. You will keep getting questioned at the border because the immigration see you this way.
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Peter *********
You should have got your DTV from your home country.
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Peter *********
@Roshni ******
From reports on here, yes. Quite a few have been asked why they didn't.
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Roshni *******
@Peter ********
would that mean that someone is less likely to be questioned though?
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Roshni *******
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Anonymous ******************
Cooking - so which type of cooking is this that a person has to learn for 5 years.
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Henrik *****
Some are terrible cooks, and will never learn.
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Dnatjugweme ************
Participant anonyme 933 Becoming a sushi master takes 10 years of study, but there's possibly no real sushi master in Thailand.
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Dnatjugweme ************
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Mark *********
Everyone here saying this is normal when the questions being asked are completely misaligned with the visa type.

Flight home? What…in 5 years?

Why in Hanoi? Cuz I like Pho?

The questions demonstrate incompetence, not thoroughness.
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Anonymous ******************
@Mark ********
'up to them'
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Anonymous ******************
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Callum *******
Anytime I land at Suvarnabhumi I always dodge the female officers, even back when I was entering on visa exempt they would badger me a lot, if I'm next in line and it's a female officer I tell the person behind to go ahead because I need to get documents out of my bag etc.
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Anonymous ******************
@Callum ******
most of them are female officers. Hard to find male officer sometimes
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Arnold *****
@Callum ******
I always appreciate the female officers I feel they respond to smiles and friendliness better. Just went in 2 weeks ago and female officer was quick and friendly. Said I'm only need two weeks this time and she said don't worry i'll always stamp you full 6 months (cause of DTV).
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Arnold *****
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Richard ******
My concern is they are requesting a return flight ticket on a DTV! Anyone with a return ticket for 5 years down the track is doing well!
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Wannikea *********
@Richard *****
they aren't requesting, simply inquiring.
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Arnold *****
@Richard *****
You can say you don't have one they may or may not deny you. i've been asked and said I don't have it before.
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Richard ******
@Arnold ****
thank you for the vote of confidence! I am leaving for Vietnam tomorrow and I am returning on Wednesday with no return flight anywhere, as I plan to stay and use my full five year DTV. I’m picking the outcome for you with no return flight was positive?
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Andi ***********
@Richard *****
You don't need a return ticket with a DTV.
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Arnold *****
@Richard *****
I just went last week and they didn't ask for a return ticket actually, and I didn't have one either.
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Arnold *****
@Richard *****
Yes I got in, chances are they won't even ask you.
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Arnold *****
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Guillermo *********
@Richard *****
this i doubt is a requirement as of now. It can change though. Again this is JUST A TOURIST VISA AFTER ALL 🙏
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Joe **********
@Richard *****
So do we have to go ahead and book our return ticket for 5 years out? I have no idea what I'm doing in 5 years.
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जगद्गुरु *****************
It's not difficult to edit a PDF file (hint, hint). 🤫
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Greg ********
@Joe *********
You have to leave at least in 360 days, not 5 years. Extension is not guaranteed so 180 days woukd be normal if they insisted upon outbound ticket though. Not seen anyone insisting.
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Joe **********
@Greg *******
Still, I don't normally make flight plans 6 months in advance. It's too far out. Most I would plan is maybe a couple months out.
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Joe **********
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Richard ******
This is something that’s impossible to do Joe Flanagan no airline allows you to book a flight five years in advance I do know that. Makes me wonder whether the immigration people actually understand the DTV!
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Greg ********
@Richard *****
You cannot stay 5 years continuously.
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Richard ******
Yes I know this
@Greg *******
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Greg ********
@Richard *****
So why would anyone need to book a flight 5 years out then. The notion is nonsense
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Richard ******
@Greg *******
not only nonsense it’s impossible!
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Richard ******
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Alain **********
If possible do like me, avoid female officers like the plague as I know from experience that they are more likely then male officers to cause trouble. Seriously.
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Greg ********
@Alain *********
It may be anecdotal but from friends they have said same. I have only had questions once in well north of 150 entries and it was when I had a BOI 2 year visa with 6 months left. She pointed to the visa and said it needs renewing in 6 months lol
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Alain **********
@Greg *******
I have travelled in 77 countries all over the world and i observed it is always the case and not only with immigration. I believe it is psychological and I have my theory how to explain this but can not share it publicly as it could be considered not politically correct.
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Greg ********
@Alain *********
I Chiang Mai Immigration Office and Land Transport Office I have only dealt with women. They have been great. In fact at immigration she even gave me leeway on length of my bank statement. If she had been a stickler could have made it awkward. When I worked in Thailand it was 99% Thai women in Big Pharma clinical research. When I employed Project Managers it was only Thai women. It think they are great :-)
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Greg ********
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Anonymous ******************
@Alain *********
It's true. You never know if it's the wrong time of the month.
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Anonymous ******************
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Anonymous ******************
What’s your nationality?
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Elías ********
It might be due to being soft power. I wonder what would happen once you finish the classes? I mean, I know that in theory the visa is good for 5 years, but, at the same time, it's granted on something that might not last for 5 years 👀🤷🏻
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Guillermo *********
@Elías *******
this is why i always tell people to be REALLY CAREFUL WITH THE SOFT OPTIONS. ☝️ Some guy got approved last week by just showing a month of gym classes . I told him man everytime you come into the country the immigration officer has to VERIFY YOUR QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS VISA. I hope to be wrong but they could easily implement the visas cancelations in the future and this will make a lot of people mad. Why ? You no longer qualify etc 🙏
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Beac*****
@Guillermo ********
What evidence do you have to back up this statement? It seems to be purely conjecture on your part
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Guillermo *********
BeachDude the fact that i worked as an intern at an embassy travel for a living and have a brother that works in us customs and just common sense really. I also have seen the abuse some people have done to the system that i dont see this visa staying longer at list in its current form. Its not sustainable. All other visas are been screwed proviledge business etc. why would someone apply for those just why? I have seen countless of people do the math and move into this one so sooner or later someone in the goverment is going to see the trend and make the adjustments. Mark my words and save this message the thai always figure it out if you give them time. To be in “status” as per the visa terms you have to be enrolled at a school if you use the soft route . This is how you got your visa and everytime you enter the country the officer is supposed to check your status. This visa is so new and open to misuse fraud etc that with sometime they will learn there are just too many people that have gotten this visa that should not have. At that point all they have to do is build an interphase where you have to upload your classes every couple of months. Than they will make this schools confirm that you are paying and thus qualify for the visa. Like in covid times they had a list of hotels sha or someting like that. As for the business owners they can require you to resubmit financial statements etc. The DTV is a tourist visa after alll hope this helps 🙏
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Beac*****
@Guillermo ********
yet more conjecture
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Guillermo *********
BeachDude BROHER PLEASE Conjecture 🤣 i really got a kick out of this one PLEASE save this post . I will actually save it myself as a matter of fact. The thais will figure it out just give them time they always do. The reason why this madness is still on is because the visa is ralative new and it has not affected them financially yet. Once they see the numbers of the proviledge,investment even marriage visas decline im sure someone will come up with some kind of verification for the soft route options. There is where most of the abuse has been done. Attaching a guy that got the visa recently he can potencially stay in thailand for 5 years yet he only sign up for one month worth of classes. Maybe this is sustainable in your world but NOT HERE NOT IN THAILAND WHERE THEY REALLY LOOK AT THIS THINGS CLOSELY. I dont see the visa staying around at least not in its current form Good luck 🙏
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Guillermo *********
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Anonymous ******************
@Guillermo ********
Yep. Visa purposes...
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Anonymous ******************
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Hari *******
@Elías *******
you have to pay for the courses again
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Shandy ********
@Hari ******
Does this mean we should cancel the visa if we don't intend on continuing a course?
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Hari *******
@Shandy *******
I’m talking about extension after six months you gotta pay the fees again so you can continue your cooking classes on paper so when you come to immigration, you can show them that you’re an active student
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Hari *******
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Milo *********
Next time she'll ask you to make her a Paad Thai. It's normal, don't worry.
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Anonymous ******************
@Milo ********
That’s right! they’ve got a little gas cooker and a wok set up right there in the head immigration officer’s office at the airport. All the ingredients are provided. Once you’ve finished cooking your Pad Thai, it’s shared among the officers, who then score it out of 10. If you get less than
****
, you’re immediately deported and blacklisted from the country for 10 years. Brutal... but fair
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Anonymous ******************
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Wannikea *********
You could fork out a million for an Elite visa, chaperone, and fast track lane, if you don't like questions. Surely you aren't immune to the recent news over the last 6 months of human trafficking, call centers, drugs, and what have you.
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Travelling ********
@Wannikea ********
Were all of these on DTV though?! I do not see the connection between the DTV and the crimes committed?

They will get drugs inside of the country without a visa. Call centres were mainly in Myanmar and it were Chinese that were kidnapped
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Travelling ********
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Anonymous ******************
A five-year visa backed by just a short cooking course is likely to raise some eyebrows at immigration
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Guillermo *********
Anonymous participant 371 I really dont see these soft options staying around much longer . As a matter of fact i anticipate visa cancellations as you no longer take clases etc. Why are you here? Mmmm well i was taking clases. You have no classes ok i will cancel this visa without prejudice and give you 2 months “ normal tourist stamp” to adjust status if you want to stay here as you no longer qualify under DTV admittance rules . Worst part the DTV might not be even available once this take place. My 2 cents 🙏
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Guillermo *********
yeah man it all depends how you can justify the entries into thailand. DTV is a tourist visa after all . Just a little more flexible with how long you stay etc 🙏
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जगद्गुरु *****************
@Guil*****
, I wouldn't be surprised if that eventuates.

I'll probably just use the FREE visa on arrival, instead of applying for a DTV.
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Peter *********
@Guillermo ********
Don't worry you can pay an agent for safe entry if they start getting strict.
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Guillermo *********
@Peter ********
true lol 🙏🤣
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Guillermo *********
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Dany ********
@Guillermo ********
they cannot cancel the visa. they can only cancel extensions. so this wont happen
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Anonymous ******************
@Dany *******
yup, they can’t cancel the visa. They can just stop doing the DTVs. Also, who’s to say you won’t carry on with more cooking classes …
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Guillermo *********
@Dany *******
its their country man they make the rules not us unfortunately. A visa is just a paper that allows you to go to a country thats it. I have a brother that works at customs in the US. I feel your your pain but this again Is a TOURIST VISA ONCE THEY ARE ABLE TO SEE THE AMOUNT OF FRAUD , ABUSE SOME PEOPLE HAVE COMMITTED HERE THEY WILL MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AT THE PORTS OF ENTRY . I have been here only a couple of days and have already identified many people that do not qualify for this visa. Just by the way they make their comments. Save this comment in a couple of months if not days you will see i was right. All the best my man 🙏
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Dany ********
@Guillermo ********
but i was mainly talking about the technicality behind it. the MFA issues you the visa. a totaly different authority than the Immigration. The Immigration issues you an extension of stay (which they could cancel). so they would not have the authority to cancel your visa.
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Guillermo *********
@Dany *******
Brother some immigration people do not even understand this visa . I have seen people given wrong stamps etc . If an immigration officer decides to deport you all he must to is notify the MFA do you think someone there will help you? Thailand immigration IS LIKE A GOD AT THE PORT OF ENTRY as well as other immigration in the world. THEY HAVE FINAL DISCRETION ON WHO THEY LET IN AND ON WHAT GROUNDS. There are no courts to appeal… nothing you can do. You can always try in another airport but the next guy will see what the other guy did and there is a 0.
*****
1 chance they will challenge your inadmissibility. I could be wrong by a travel for a living and have learned this the hard way. Hope to be wrong though but i anticipate issues with the soft routes as someone can just take a class for a month and potentially stay 5 years from an immigration standpoint “ OUT OF STATUS” as you no longer take classes 🙏
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Anonymous ******************
@Guillermo ********
no one can take a class for just a month. You have wrong information. It’s ATLEAST a minimum of 6 months.
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Guillermo *********
Anonymous participant 274 check this one …. Hope this helps 🙏
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Guillermo *********
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Charles **********
Whats your nationality?! Immigration are probably cracking down on Middle Eastern and French Arabic Passport Holders as they were causing a lot of trouble especially during high season
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Kyle **********
@Charles *********
that's in phuket
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Anonymous ******************
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Anonymous ******************
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Anonymous ******************
@Charles *********
What are you talking about? 🤣 They are cracking down on ALL scammers and people behaving badly.
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Anonymous ******************
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Anonymous ******************
They ask everyone. It just the same info on TDAC. DTV or tourists there's a chance they might ask you.
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Mounir *****************
Answering normal questions at immigration is just that. Normal.
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Kool *******
Immigration stereotypes and profiles, and if you fit any element of their undesirable list you are questioned repeatedly.
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Andi ***********
Having any visa does not mean exemption from questioning. There is a spotlight on SPERs as that is the most frequent option for scam applications so be prepared for questions even though you are legit.
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Shandy ********
@Andi **********
The IO doesn't know which option we chose for our application unless we tell them though.
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Peter *********
@Shandy *******
They only know if it says on the visa like this remote work DTV.
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Shandy ********
@Peter ********
That's what I thought too, but quite a few people assume that IOs know their visa option.
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Shandy ********
rrrr
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Peter *********
@Shandy *******
That's mainly people who applied via workation and assume theirs is superior to others.
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Peter *********
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Andi ***********
Shandy Donner That is up for debate, about IO not knowing about your DTV option. From my experience I say otherwise and is in keeping with other countries where I have worked.
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Andi ***********
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Guillermo *********
@Andi **********
they can cancel it on the spot. Your DTV visa is only a permit to take the flight. Thai immigration has final discretion on admittance 🙏
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Guillermo *********
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Anonymous ******************
Because you have a tourist visa, that everyone knows is on a count down timer, standby for despair as the age old time and time again kicks in … welcome to Thailand 😄
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Andrew ********
That's their job. They're not passport stamping robots.
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Mark *********
@Andrew *******
But their questions are not aligned with the visa type.
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Aaron *****
@Mark ********
they can literally ask any of these questions and more, its a tourist visa nothing special.
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Mark *********
@Aaron ****
DTV Visa isn’t a tourist visa though.
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Aaron *****
@Mark ********
im sorry, a glorified step up from tourist visa. Yes its a long stay visa, we all know that, but its nothing more than a “tourist-type” visa, was making a point. It’s nothing special and immigration has every right to ask you whatever questions they want.
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Greg ********
@Mark ********
DTV is a tourist visa.
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Greg ********
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John **********
The immigration officers are just doing their jobs. Having a visa does not excuse you from scrutiny
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Guillermo *********
@John *********
they can cancel it anytime. You have not rights again this is just a permit that allows you to take the flight. Admittance is strictly given to the officers is this simple. They dont have to proof anything to nobody. My 2 cents
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Guillermo *********
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Anonymous ******************
Immigration is asking questions to everyone, including visa holders. You're holding a 5-year visa, but your cooking class likely lasts much less than that. This may lead to increased scrutiny. Some people assume they will never be questioned if they hold a visa, but that's not true.
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Mark *********
Anonymous participant 852 This isn’t the inspection immigration officer’s business - it’s the visa granting apparatus’ business.

If they don’t want cooking classes, then don’t grant the visa.
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Greg ********
@Mark ********
Entry is the Immigration officers business and they have final say. The MFA, who issue DTV, literally say this on their own website.
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Guillermo *********
@Mark ********
agree with you this has created so much trouble that i believe they will make changes to the program. I dont see this visa staying in its current form for long due to fraud misued etc. If you get stop by immigration dont argue with them. They have final descretion on admittance. The visa is only the permit to take a flight into THAILAND thats it. They can cancel your visa with no questions asked by nobody. I will just be cautious 🙏
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Travelling ********
@Guillermo ********
What fraud? What kind of fraud could you possible do with a DTV visa?
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Guillermo *********
@Travelling *******
you could register for a cooking class or a gym class for a month while you are getting your visa and once your visa is obtained than decide to just stop going to school and overstay “ out of status” as per the conditions in which you got the visa. This is what i mean by fraud as there is no verification system as of yet to check if you remain “ in status” as per your visa terms. This im sure will change in the coming months to maintain the integrity of the system 🙏
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Anonymous ******************
@Guillermo ********
I also agree with that. Immigration hasn't changed the way it operates as people have been questioned on other visas as well. It's the current government that has tried to introduce a new visa with ridiculous requirements (far too easy for some), leading to discrepancies between visa types, and even between DTV holders (workation and Soft Power).
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Guillermo *********
Anonymous participant 852 I really dont see these soft options staying around much longer . As a matter of fact i anticipate visa cancellations as you no longer take clases etc. Why are you here? Mmmm well i was taking gym classes. You have no classes ok i will cancel this visa without prejudice and give you 2 months “ normal tourist stamp” to adjust status if you want to stay here as you no longer qualify under DTV admittance rules . Worst part the DTV might not be even available once this take place. My 2 cents 🙏
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Anonymous ******************
@Guillermo ********
Wondering if they could push an E System where papers need to be updated and checked as they do now with visas application. It's already done when extending with immigration so why not.
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Guillermo *********
Anonymous participant 852 its thailand they will figure it out and again if i had to put money on it no warning will be given so some will just find out the hard way. Hope to be wrong as this will upset alot of people 🙏
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Guillermo *********
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Anonymous ******************
@Mark ********
I'm not the one making the rules 😜 Immigration controls the borders like in any country around the world including yours. That's not as easy here in Thailand. You've two different entities (MFA and Immigration) which hold very different visions of what's tourism and immigration.
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Anonymous ******************
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Yasmin ***********
Just out of curiosity, how long is your cooking course ?
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Yasmin ***********
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