Assuming you're from one of the 93 countries that are eligible for Visa exemptiom, you will be allowed a visa-free entry for 60 days (with a possibility to extend that with another 30 days at an Immigration office for 1900 thb). That means you wont have a visa - You get a stamp in your passport when you enter Thailand.

It is also possible to apply for a tourist visa from your homecountry before you travel... A tourist visa allow the same time of stay as the visa exemption (60+30 days). There are no tourist visa that give you 90 days from start... you will need to get an extension to get a total of 90 days.

If travelling without visa, you may (or may not) be asked to show an onward ticket out of Thailand within 60 days from your arrival (i.e. you should be able to show a ticket if asked by the airline and/or by the Immigration officer at the airport).

If you travel with a tourist visa, that you applied for in your homecountry before your trip, you need proof of onward travel within 90 days from your arrival date.

There are other visas as well, that might grant you more days, but you need to research that on your own. Check for information on the web for the Thai Embassy in your homecountry:

@Jimmy *******

🤔🤔🤔 so why do you comment with a post like that if you KNOW the information is incorrect?!?

@Jimmy *******

that is old information.

@Paul ******

I might have misunderstood this... to me it seemed to be a legal gray area and that the DTV was designed as a solution. Thank you for clarifying things! 😊

Here is an important note: The DTV is designed to make it possible to freelance and work remotely while in Thailand... Arriving to Thailand on a tourist visa or visa exemption is NOT. You can not do your freelance work if you enter that way, meaning you will not have an income to pay tax on!

You can not continue freelancing while in Thailand unless you get the DTV!

@Todd ********

sure, I can agree with you to some point - using or abusing the system... to me it's almost the same thing. As I see it, is clear that visa exemptions are not meant to be used for living in Thailand for years - that people choose to and succeed to do so doesn't mean they are meant to. I think I made my point and I definitely understand what you are writing... and as I wrote, the OP can keep going in and out on visa exemptions as long as it works. Is it right? Well, everyone is entitled to their own opinion...

@Alma **************

since you made a comment that you've been doing this for years you are not considered to be a tourist by the immigration laws - even if you consider yourself as one - hence I stick to the opinion of getting a visa for long term staying.

But hey, of course you can choose to continue abusing the system of Thailands generosity with their visa exemption scheme - I mean as long as it works, it works...

Entry into Thailand, no matter what visa you hold or not hold, is at the discretion of immigration.

When they decide a person is trying to stay in Thailand long term on tourist entries, they will eventually question it and put an end to it...

@Todd ********

you are right, they wont get denied entry, they will be questioned and most likely warned/told to get a visa next time.

My opinion and advice is still to get a proper visa.

@Alma **************

if you are living in Thailand you should get a proper visa! The visa exemption is for tourist purposes and it is just a matter of time until you will get denied entry because of that reason... As Thailand starts with the ETA system (around new year) you will not be able to continue doing what you've been doing...

It depends on where you are applying from... In some countries they don't have e-visa and you need to go to an embassy/a consulate in person. If the country you are in use e-visa you submit your application there.