> what stops someone from applying remotely?

For many people it's morals since they don't want to fraudulently obtain a visa. For others it's financial because there is always a risk you could get called in for an interview, asked for proof of entry or numerous other items that you would have to provide to show that you are in the country you applied in and if you can't provide that, you'll get denied and lose the fee. Up to you!

Anonymous participant the reason for that is that they have a proven track record of helping people get the DTV and are a reputable gym. Your other option would be to contact the many other gyms in Chiang Mai to see if they also have success with the DTV.

Yes, many people have. You must be in Vietnam or Cambodia when you apply for the visa even though it's e-visa. Highly recommend you join the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) group as many people have posted with great detail about their successful applications. Taipei is still allowing walk ins and has the quickest turn around time.

@Mario ********

yep as Henrik mentioned you can try repeat visa exempt entries. The only issue with that is that at some point Immigration will question why are you aren't on a proper visa and will tell you to get one or they can deny entry. You can definitely get 1 visa exempt, leave and and use an agent to smooth the second entry if concerned. There is no hard and fast rule as to if or when you'd get questioned and entirely depends on the officer you are standing in front of at the time.

@Mario ********

no, the extension is valid for 1 year. It doesn't mean you have to stay the full year, you can leave when you want. If you don't get a re-entry permit the extension becomes invalid when you leave. If you just want 4 months a border bounce is probably a better option and less paperwork.

No.

On the surface it seems like a great idea but there are a lot of things to consider. Have you lived here long term yet? Thailand is great but lots of people move here and after a year or two realize it's not for them. If you haven't lived here yet, give yourself a while before you take the plunge, travel around to determine where suits you best.

Buying property here can be a crap shoot, construction standards are much different, getting work done isn't always easy and government can change the parameters of property ownership depending on who is in. It's also takes a lot longer to sell a property as has been pointed out. Properties here don't appreciate in value as quickly as they do in North America and some even depreciate in value so you might be better off leaving the money where it is to earn for you.

Why not get a rental, see how you feel about the building and area you are considering first? Give it a year, see what the juristic person is like, what the board is like for maintenance, etc. Then reconsider if that's what you want... sometimes the freedom of having a rental out weighs the aspects of buying.

@Samantha *********

never said you were complaining and agree it's not clear. The only place you'll see that they want your e-visa is when you are about to go through immigration. The windows all have a little sticker showing to have your boarding pass, visa and passport ready but when you've already presented the visa, you'd expect it's fine based on the stamp Still not super clear since a lot of people have immigration anxiety, are just off a long flight, etc. At least now you know so next time will be easier.

Search the group, a lot of people had the DTV rejected for numerous reasons... not being able to provide proof they are in the country they applied to, submitted business account instead of personal, didn't meet requirements for the category they applied for, names or passport dates incorrect. There are too many to state but it can happen. If you submitted everything properly for the category you applied for , should be perfectly fine.

@Rachel *******

@Roberto ***

you only have an e-visa if you applied online, so it's not strange. If you apply in person you get the actual visa sticker in your passport, which means you have to keep that passport with you for 5 years or pay to get it transferred to a new passport.

If you apply online, you get the e-visa pdf which you have to show on entry.

@Samantha *********

it does actually say, either in the approval email or when you submitted for the e-visa that you need to print off your e-visa to show at immigration. That said, it's not the easiest to spot and you'd think it should say on the visa itself to be clear. Last time we entered, the person next to me got in trouble for trying to show the pdf on their phone and was told they want the print. We always keep a paper copy in our passport now, so no confusion.