Long-term thinking is Jakarta atm.

There's probably a backlog from Songkran. They only worked 2 days last week.

@John *********

exactly.

It is free and quick to do in my experience, and you can do it a few days early. While there is a grace period of a few days to actually do the report it’s probably unwise not to do it at all.

@Michael *******

just catching up on the opinions you’re offering as fb isn’t my full-time gig. I was saying stay non-stop for 2 years, not 2 bounces. There were maybe 100-odd businesses and several dignitaries at the event, but it sold out so one of their bigger events as they make them smaller so people can network and ask their team questions directly. As I say, worth going along.

Anyway, don’t shoot the messenger. None of it is my opinion as tbh that has changed since I met them in January and again last week. I’m just passing on their answers to a few questions. You may get different answers if your questions are different - 20 years coming to Thailand and dealing with visas tells me that much!

If you want to get unnecessarily pissy at anyone because you don’t like the answers then go to the next one and do so with them 🤷‍♂️

@Dany *******

interesting. Difficult when we’re being told different things by the government agencies responsible for it. But, I’ve been here or coming here for 20 years with different visas and things can change quickly, or an immigration officer can just not like the look of you.

The overriding message was that the wording - and lack of in places - allows for a lot of different interpretation, and a chunk of what is being said by people in this group is assumption based on what people want the documentation to mean (obviously they have representation in the group), not necessarily how it will be enforced.

I’ve got no horse in the race, I’m not even arguing with anyone who have heard different from other officials. Just suggesting people take advantage of the opportunity to talk to them, and passing on what were answers to a lot of these questions that I and probably a lot of others weren’t expecting. A handful of people don’t want to hear it so I won’t bother in future, but I’ll still go to the next one.

@Michael *******

actually I thought I did reply but it must not have sent. I’m in dodgy WiFi so maybe that, but bit annoying to write it again! I’ve got nothing to gain by lying dude, I was just at the latest event about DTVs so thought I’d share what they told me. This one was more for local businesses so they can learn about what it is, and in Thai which I didn’t realise, but it was worth hanging around to speak to them afterwards.

I gave an example of leaving for a few weeks, not saying you had to, as that was the specific question I asked the lead of the DTV who was at the event as one of the other guys there had the DTV and wanted to know.

I’m just recommending people go along so they can hear them answer their specific questions that’s all. We’ve all seen the YouTube vid from months ago with the generic questions, it’s just useful to hear an up to date voice answering specific case questions now it’s been around for long enough for extensions and bounces.

TAT designed the visa as it was born from the TR visas, and they floated it and now report the data to MFA. The MFA had to rubber stamp it as that is their domain. They have run all the official events in Chiang Mai (I haven’t been to any anywhere else) and are the conduit that are reaching out as the public voice of it. Not many countries do that tbf. Again, this is what I’ve been told on several occasion by TAT. If you’ve heard different from talking with MFA then one of us is being told porkies, and sure it could be me! Unlike you it seems I’m totally open to hearing about what others are being told by the authorities. I’m just reporting what I’ve been told, more than once.

I totally agree that the group is filled with people’s opinions and random interpretations. I don’t monitor this group, a post just popped up on my feed and thought I’d share what they told me that pertained to the post. You don’t have to believe it, but if you’re going to shoot people down because their experience is different to yours then you’re part of the social media problem bud. I’m sure you’re a reasonable guy in person, though it’d be interesting if this is how you’d talk to me in person in a discussion.

@Greg *******

yes they can. They’re dropping 60-day entry I see.

Tbh I thought the DTV might disappear in a couple of years, but less so now I’ve talked to them. They have retained a lot of control by being a bit vague.

@Greg *******

it might fit me better some day, but I’m waiting to see how it pans out. I’m on a better fit visa for me atm that is admittedly more expensive, but if my circumstances change so I’m more like a digital nomad then it’s probably a good option.

@Michael *******

TAT designed the visa and are the face of communicating it, and actually get out and doing so, so our best chance to get answers. If you choose to believe what they are saying to us is incorrect that’s up to you bud.

They’ve been clever in their wording for a lot of it, and what they’ve missed out. All I’m suggesting is people stop guessing and assuming and go and speak to them directly, seeing as they are giving the opportunity to.