You've answered yourself: you can't get a work permit on retirement visa. While still technically illegal, you could offer online fitness and nutrition coaching. One way to market yourself would be creating free content (reels, YouTube) - you won't make (much) money from doing that, but people who find it helpful may be interested in coaching later. (probably best to avoid Thailand-based clients though)

@Andrew *******

Not aware of any changes. Can you point me at the news?

@Cary ***

If you actually got a proper tourist visa (not exempt) you're unlikely to get any trouble. Having said that, yes- your long term solution is DTV. But if you're already applying for tourist visa why not just apply for DTV?

In the words of a friend: Thailand is like disneyland for men - if you have money. Philippines is more like a second rate theme park surrounded by landfills - but you can still have fun there cheaper.

@Andrew ******

Having cash on you won't help if they decided to deny you.

@Darin *******

How did you get notified?

@Adam ********

What was the reason for freezing it? and how did you unfreeze it?

@Will ********

FATCA has absolutely nothing to do with Thai taxation. It's required by the US, not Thailand.

@Will ********

What details exactly? Phone numbers is a known thing as they're cracking down on mule accounts, but other details like foreign accounts?? that does not sound right.

@Tod ********

Sorry to hijack the thread a bit, but if I have a long history of visa exempt entries in my passport - would that affect chances to get a SETV? and more important - would having a SETV absolve me of my, uh, "sin" of having "too many" exempt entries when I actually enter the country? I'm going to try for a METV in my home country next month, but if I can't get it will settle for SETVs if it means I don't get grilled by the IO again...