Some long discussions going on in here. In a way, they're missing the point: Thai law should be viewed as case law more so than statute law. I.e. how is it enforced in practice? (And how much more likely are you to die in a road traffic accident or something like that?)

First, you have a visa so no worries there.

Second they have no way of knowing it's your first international flight.

Third neither would they care as it's the people who try to live year round in Thailand on visa exempt that they're bothered about - that's not you.

Fourth just to be sure you should have accommodation booked and carry baht or equivalent cash in with you. Although you are extremely unlikely to be pulled up on this.

Fifth you should have a laminated copy of your DTV.

I don't think you need a flight out booked as a DTV holder.

I think that's everything. Let's see if anyone else has something to add or correct.

ผู้มีส่วนร่วมที่ไม่ระบุตัวตนmaybe you got questioned because they're not used to the DTV in the fast lane.

Completely fine on visa exempt even with the stricter enforcement. Easily within the rules. No need to waste time applying for a tourist visa. In fact, they'd probably wonder what on earth you were doing if you did.

It seems to me that Vienna is a tougher embassy to apply at.

If you really need to leave the UK then Indonesia is an option (remote work is allowed there). I'm planning similar and will be careful not to spend too much time in Thailand before getting my DTV just in case of complications.

I would like soft power courses in Krabi too, but cooking not Muay Thai. Could go running with the Muay Thai crew, but dont want to risk the injuries! Following.

Anonymous participant 839 I'm married to a Thai so it shouldn't be a problem for me, but I sympathize with the others who do have the problem. DTV holders can stay almost the whole year in Thailand so while they are defined as tourists who would not be eligible to apply for PR later they still are completely able to set up base in Thailand for 5 years.

Anonymous participant 839 I guess you like inconvenience and the idea of guilty before proven innocent.

It's incredibly unlikely that anything anyone says here will make a difference. Anyway, notice how you're suggesting a very limited account. It seems like people are accepting all this excessive control everywhere that didn't exist in the past.