@Garrett **********

If only. The Thai Immigration Act of 1979 does not even give any restriction of time allowed in Thailand as a tourist. Yet, immigration officers regularly deny people with extensive travel history entry into Thailand. They will just fall back to Thai Immigration Act paragraph 12, section 2: "Having no appropriate means of living on entering the Kingdom". They will note 12(2) by hand and put a red stamo in and send people the way they came from. Irrespective of / without ever asking for 20k funds in cash or the like. Since there is not hard time limit for tourist entries, they just make them up - i.e. infer that if somebody is a tourist for too long, they must be making money in the country, thus using an inappropriate visa. If at least they would deny entry based on paragraph 12, section 4 "Being of unsound mind ...", then they would be much closer to the truth with a lot of people. 🤣

@Farang *****

12(2) likely refers to the Thai Immigration Act of 1979, paragraph 12, section 2. Excluded from entering the kingdom due to “no appropriate means of living…” indicating, that you could not show enough money to support your stay. However, they occasionally use that as a fallback option, too - even if not even asking for prove of funds. It’s messy.

My thoughts: People, stay home. Please give me another unique and superb experience traveling Thailand like it was during the beginning of COVID. Thailand is so (much more) beautiful without mass-tourism.

@Nongnuch *******

Lets also hope, no one will ever think they can out me back on a 2 year (temporary) DL when extending this 5 year (regular) DL. Then again, TiT.

@Nongnuch *******

That would be crazy, but somewhat within expectations. I had a two year Thai driving license 3 times in a row. Luckily, now holding a DTV, I was finally issued a 5 year license in Chiang Mai earlier this year. Was getting tired of renewing every 2 years. Let’s hope not all DLT will copy this bad example.

@Brandon ***********

It is one of those days again, isn’t it? 😂

Another case of inconsistent, made up rules by local offices of the very same organization. Well, technically at least they base it on the length of the visa, not the permitted stay / entry stamp. Thus, DTV holders should be ok to get the 5 year license.

@Brandon ***********

Got it. Makes sense for people actually planning to reside in Thailand without leaving much in between. As for me, work and life keeps me traveling abroad enough without ever having to do an explicit border bounce (or even 90 day report for that matter). I will give switching to LTR another go should the taxation issue become more relevant.

@Brandon ***********

It indeed is one of the best visa for Thailand, yet. Then again, the DTV effectively provides almost the same at a fraction of the cost. Not saying that 50k isn't okay to pay. I am ok going for a trip at least twice a year. The tax exemption of the LTR seems nice, but does not really affect anybody on other visa at this point. My bank account is luckily still open. Is there any other advantage other than "fast track" which I used to get traveling Business Class anyways? I have not been keeping up with latest developments for a while.

@Graham *****

Right. Issued that letter for myself - showing owning a registered business in Germany.