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Why was my entry denied by the immigration officer in Thailand despite having a DTV?

DTV Visa Thai Immigration Entry Denial Remote Work Regulations Tourist Visa Rules Business Class Travel Immigration Officer Interaction Visa Requirements

May 17, 2025

a day ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Today I arrived at BKK airport, and something weird happened with the immigration officer.

So, I got my DTV from Manila a few days ago, and before traveling to Manila to apply, I stayed in Thailand for the allowed duration of 60 days visa free, traveled to PH for 17 days and came back.

The conversation with IO went like this:

I showed him the DTV and my passport, and he asked a couple questions:

- What do you do in Thailand? just travel and explore places.

- What do you do for work? I’m a software engineer, I build websites (apparently he didn’t understand what that is) but I work for foreign clients from the US.

- Sorry I can’t allow you in.

- Why?

- Because you work.

- But I have the DTV and I don’t work for Thai clients, I work for foreign clients.

- I know, but I can’t allow you in. How old are you?

- Where are you from?

- Morocco

- How old are you?

- I’m 25

- Where you staying, Bangkok?

- Yes, for a couple weeks and then Chiang Mai.

He stamped my passport with 180 days duration.

All this happened while we both were smiling at each other. So I don’t really know if he was serious and then changed his mind or if he was just kidding with me 🙂.

P.S. He didn’t even ask for the TDAC

P.S. I flew Business Class

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post describes an experience at BKK airport where the poster, who returned to Thailand on a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV), faced questioning from an immigration officer. Despite providing the DTV and indicating he works for foreign clients, the officer expressed concern about his ability to work while in Thailand. Ultimately, the officer stamped the passport with a 180-day entry, leaving the poster unsure if the officer was joking or serious. The comments include discussions about immigration rules regarding remote work, the importance of avoiding mentioning work to immigration officers, and responses to the poster's travel class.

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Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Guys! Mentioned business class so others know that it doesn’t really make a difference to the IO what class you’re. Also, I used Thai Airways thinking that IO would appreciate I used Thai company 🙂😂.