Just sharing my DTV journey - I have entered for 3 times within a year of receiving DTV. Today, I landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), and felt a bit worried due to recent declaration of stricter screening especially to the travelers who enter Thailand with Visa exemption scheme although DTV holders are not in targeted list. But, the whole immigration process took place so quickly. I handed my passport, the boarding pass, the printed eVisa and completed TDAC in my phone (Officer even didn’t look at my phone as my TDAC already appeared in his computer after scanning my passport). He didn’t ask any questions, scanned my passport & the barcode of my eVisa, stamped for 180 day stay and finished. That’s totally different with the 1st time of entry that I was individually interviewed by the officer in charge of the border checkpoint (I entered Thailand with the DTV for the first time through border crossing from Cambodia), and I even missed the bus due to interviewing, long waiting time to finish immigration clearance to other travelers and interrogation to other travelers before me. This means 1st time is to be careful while the process is quite straightforward in subsequent times of reentries.

Has someone done a dtv recently in Hanoi? Im in thailand already and have to travel for the dtv. Thinking about Hanoi. Can you share your experience please?

What are your experiences with the multiple entry e-visa where you can come in and out the country for a period of 6 months?

So, a follow-up here to my earlier post

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for those who have asked and thanks all for the help in the group here and elsewhere:

Second attempt: Jakarta

(Submitted Mid September)

Result: Approved (Workcation) in 9 days, no questions asked. After 8.5 days I had a look mid-day like most days, then it was still "Processing. Pending Document Check" like before. Got the approval e-mail at like 8pm local time.

Probably the most important comments first:

1) So, they got rid of the fourth page which was my doom on the first attempt and probably that of many other applicants too. They replaced it with a pop-up screen that appeared to work fine, at least with me. But the software was still not exactly bug-free. Before submitting I actually had to start a whole new application and delete the old one because I had accidentally put in the proof of residency pdf in the bank statements folder, and I couldn't change it no matter what I've tried (different browser etc.)

2) On my first attempt I was silly enough to actually book a real non-refundable trip as the trip details. So just FYI I've been in TH 12 days late August after I had already been like 40 days earlier this year and that rejected application before. No issues or questions at BKK entry, or at the exit at USM, that's all I can say about that,

Submitted:

Trip details: This time just some stuff I already knew beforehand would be too tight unless my application would be approved in like two days or something, a suitable flight and a not actually booked stay of 7 days at a luxury hotel in BKK where I had been several times before.

Proof of residency: My hotel was actually nice enough to provide me with a proof a residency letter, it seems they get this kind of request often, also attached e-visa, and the stay permit that is sent to you when you enter the country.

Professional portfolio: Yeah, so after being mocked about that in my last post I cut it down to like 70 pages, but really it was a lot less that that. Main parts:

1 page: Table of contents

2 pages: Cover letter explaining several things, mainly why most of my documents are from Hong Kong.

2 pages: Explaining my work in laymen's terms and general strategy considerations

1 page: Brief results, year by year, of the last three years

1 page: Certificate of self-employment, just written and signed by myself (as recommend by others in here)

1 page: Front and back page of HK permanent residence card (the back side states my right of abode in HK, just thought it might be useful for them, if they kick me out for whatever reason, I have other places to stay).

The rest of the portfolio was really just trading details and basically geeky math stuff that I never expected anyone who is not a super expert in this to read or understand (probably many peeps who claim to be experts in this would have problems understanding it).

Miscellaneous comments: So yeah, based on my experience I can recommend the Jakarta embassy also, relatively quick and easy. Also I will say Indonesia is an interesting country, I have not been before, not gonna lie, there is good and bad, here I will just say I can confirm almost all Indonesians tend to be very nice people. For further discussion this is probably the wrong group. I posted some thoughts about Bali in a Koh Phangan group, if interested you can find it there.

Happy to answer any DTV-application related questions in here.

Just posting what happened with us for reference. Arrived end of April (US passport) for first time ever in Thailand planning to stay 90 days. After 60 days, we elected not to file an extension as we wanted to spend a week in Cambodia before returning for a month. We left on time, had a blast in Cambodia.

When we arrived back tonight (BKK) we caught the lecture about this being the last time we would be allowed in for a year. He said the rules had changed and he could only give us 45 days. He said from now on foreigners can only stay a total of 90 days per year. Fine with us we are leaving before then. After a 15 minute back and forth we were allowed to enter. I checked as I exited airport; he stamped 60 days.

Yea, yea, I know that’s not the “rules” or whatever. Just letting people on the every 3 month visa run know they are indeed cracking down if I can catch a lecture for my 2nd entrance ever.

Just wanted to notify that I just flew into Thailand today at DMK airport. They are going at it with extra questioning with tons of people having to fill a statement form as well, especially visa-exempt entries. The questioning area was packed. My TDAC was completed before my trip.

I was pulled aside and questioned for an hour because I was going to enter on my 2nd exempt entry. This is the first air-entry in the last 3 years and they still went at it. I kept on providing proof for everything they asked me and I was finally allowed to enter. They warned me to not enter without a visa next time. I thought it was excessive since many people have reported multiple back to back visa-free stays with no issue. I leave in 29 days. Not 60 or 90, so I don't know why I was treated as if I was trying to live here off exempt stays.

Also most others seemed to have issues since they had no booked flight back, as expected.

BKK there’s a new process for all E Visa holders you do not go through the regular line. You have to go over to security at the back of the line and wait 15 to 30 minutes to get checked. Why are they making this harder? 

Another smooth entry data point:

Arrived at BKK from LAX (via Manila) after being away for 2.5 months. This was my second entry on DTV and the first time flying in on DTV. I have a pretty extensive visa history - almost 9 years of continuous stay on visa exempts, tourist visas, and non-o visas.

I expected to be asked a few questions, but nope - stamped right in!

Facebook in its great wisdom isn't letting me comment on this post, so I'll answer questions here:

* No, I didn't need to present any document since my visa is the old kind - a sticker in my passport.

Hi all. Anyone been to Laos recently? My last visit was pre covid, so wondering how things work currently.

According to my (Danish) ministry of foreign affairs, it should still be possible to obtain a visa on arrival aside from the evisa option

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Would prefer the former, so would love to hear any recent experience.

Cheers!

Hello,

I just returned from a 3 day trip to Hong Kong after my 180 days. Not one question asked at BKK. Stamped and straight though.

Soft power- medical

Cheers