Will Thailand ever introduce a digital nomad visa?

@DK ****

on the marriage and retirement you can obtain visa from income too.

40,000b income per month for marriage and 65k per month for retirement

@Steven **************

I find that hard to believe when they advertise it as income tax free. Besides, how does that work in practice, finding out you're working? Nomads do stuff on the computer, what are they going to do, go around asking people with laptops in cafes to prove that their internet browsing isn't work?

@Miguel ************

when you apply for that visa you will be required to provide verifiable documentation, and ligitimate tax filing documents that verify your income.

@Kool ******

earning income is not incompatible with having a Thai Elite application approved.

@Miguel ************

you are right the other are just fear mongerers

@Dror ********

can you imagine this guy? Pure cognitive dissonance. So convinced that your money is at jeopardy if you work in Thailand and cannot offer a single practical example to support his case. He probably doesn’t even know what a large share of foreigners in Chiang Mai are digital nomads, it is quite famous for that in the global community. They must be on work visas, lol. In many cases, they don’t even have an employer, they just freelance.

Business visa, lol… People that live in a bubble.

Hey, Steven, it’s a good thing that prostitution is illegal in Thailand, eh? Can you imagine if there were go go bars and red lights districts in Thailand? What a scandal that would be!

@Miguel ************

you should pay more attention to what I wrote.. what possible reason would someone have to spend that much money on a very long term visa just to think it will give you a green light to not pay tax here? Can do same on a free visa ffs

..

What part of "nomad" confuses you??

Being a digital nomad doesn't make you a genius. Go ahead and pay income tax in a country you aren't living in, qhilst paying thailand just as much or more to stay here pretending your not working, probably more than your tax would be anyway. real smart..

Comparing prostitution to this is ridiculous.. police here get a cut of that activity, they get nothing from you "nomads" unless you are stupid enough to pay millions of baht for a visa that gives you no work rights.

@Steven **************

there are many reasons why one would buy a Thai Elite visa. I am not a candidate, but anyone in my situation, that works and travels constantly and has a 3-month cap in most countries need only earn $3-4k for it to be worth his while. There are many other reasons why one would spend an average of $350/month for a long-term visa, but I can see that creativity isn't your forte...

I see that you're not an expert on tax matters. Don't feel too bad about it.

As for not understanding that I was likening the two cases to illustrate how closely the law is followed in Thailand, that's ok, I could tell you'd struggle. Have a nice evening.

@Miguel ************

. States clearly in application that you can't be employed or operate a business in Thailand on an elite visa.

Getting caught and doing it are two different things. That's the risk you take. Why spend millions of baht on a visa when tou can invest it in a business here and be legit and keep the money?

@Steven **************

the ethical argument, I accept. The argument that you're taking a risk, not so much, unless you can show a real example how that is actually a risk.

@Miguel ************

Risk is 4 or 5 motivated by the potential for money Policemen all showing up at your location and confiscating computer and phone for inspection... That is the risk my friend, what happens next is not gonna be Sabaii Sabaii sure ;o)

@Miguel ************

. Ok . Take the risk. Potentially lose all you spent on an elite visa and get banned from entering Thailand for up to 5 years. You can do the same on any other visa for a fraction of the outlay.

Thinking immigration is ignorant is a mistake. With an elite visa they already have your money up front. They don't give a shit.

@Steven **************

so you can't. I thought so. And investing in a business is not a matter of choice for most people.

@Miguel ************

On the up side, there are some industries that have received special consideration by the Thai Gvt which allows a foreigner to open a Business and get a Work Permit without having to hire 4 Thai staff along with a few other favorable considerations. Just look it up and you might be able to find some ideas. Hope this helps and best of luck!

@Native ***************

I don’t need a lecture on what the Thai police can and cannot do. You’re welcome to offer me one reason why they would do the above so that your fear mongering exercise isn’t totally pointless and out of context, if you like.

@Miguel ************

I believe the post read: <The argument that you're taking a risk, not so much, unless you can show a real example how that is actually a risk.> Not saying this will happen and truly hope it doesn't, but the fact is, it does definitely happen and Police do go to people homes unannounced... Important to note, in a constructive debate there is no place for casting judgment, so perhaps check out <On the up side> post just a few seconds later. Also, as mentioned in numerous posts including well known and respected Richard Barrow as well as Group Expert, Stuart Cummings, although nothing is official yet, there has been talk about establishing a Nomad Visa for a few years now, but with the effects of Covid requiring many to work online, Thai Gvt as acknowledged the new normal of Covid as brought forth a much greater demand for this type of Nomad Visa and the Gvt have formally expressed the greater need to take a serious look into how to implement this new type of Visa and has mentioned in Mr Barrow's report, there has been formal talks and more to come.

@Native ***************

the Police goes to people’s homes unannounced for all sorts of reasons in any country of the world.

I am sure there will be a proper nomad visa eventually, what I don’t think is constructive is feeding people’s irrational fears because it is not impossible that something will happen and defending it as feasible based on nothing.

@Miguel ************

The post spoke about <the argument of taking a risk>... Although I will admit if nobody knows about it, the risk is limited, but as the post was asking if <there is actually a risk>... Another one I just thought about is there is a Thai Police task force dedicated strictly to monitor Online activities and they have access to all the Bot technology available, so for anyone thinking they don't have time to monitor everything, it's good to be realistic about what technology can do and what tools are being used. Good to note, in most developed countries it takes a Judge warranting a search (=Search Warrant) prior to any Police doing a house visit, but here in Thailand,

@P**

ice are known for acting on a tip and just showing up as well as very well known for confiscating things for inspection, so that in fact this is one of the risks. Perhaps a good read recommendation is all 3 books of <Investigations of a Private Eye> which have priceless information and quite an entertaining read for those wanting to spend quality time in the Land of Smiles. Shoke dee na pi!

@Native ***************

likewise.

It's income tax free because you don't and can't pay thai income tax

.. because you can't work here on it..