I am still considering it. An ex-colleague wants to set up a company and we were looking at the BOI Smart "S" Startup Visa. However if we do not do any business in Thailand we could use the DTV. I would prefer the company to be set up in Singapore for legal (Contract law and ownership) and financial reasons. No need to rush into anything right now though - only in planning/feasibility stages
It will be interesting to see how it all works out. I am very risk averse and not a betting man. However, I first worked in Thailand in 1999. Been involved and covered Thailand from a global and regional role since 2002 for a very large company. Was based in Thailand for a global role in a major company at Director level reporting to C-Suite. I have picked up a thing or two how things work here 5555
I would make a larger wager that they were never discussed beforehand never mind mentioned. Whose rice bowl is being broken here ie who is losing income? Follow the money as always.
If you read the full quote it states the Immigration Officer has discretion and final say on entry too. I place in evidence the previous cases with the Ed Visa :-)
The whole thing was not thought out properly. It was the idea of the MFA and I wager they never consulted Immigration. Went straight to the previous PM who wanted economic growth and tourism was a main plank of that. Govt departments are run like fiefdoms in Thailand and they are very protective of their territory and their rice bowl.
The full quote and link to the article - no real change and as always been said - final decision is up to the Immigration Officer - no change to now.
"May be two weeks, one month, it's up to the applicant." And then if you wish to extend the 189 days at immigration, you need to provide another certificate or acceptance letter or other confirmation.
Pressed on the matter, he said such documentation is required when applying for the visa and when extending the visa inside Thailand, but usually not when actually entering the country -- although, of course "like in every other country, the final decision depends on the discretion of the immigration officer."
