@Ha**

Yes. However, you don't need to be in Vientiane or Savannakhet, just Laos in general.

Do NOT submit anything that mentions you want to work in Thailand (meaning for a Thai company or company based in Thailand) or with Thai entities.

Once you're over here, you could do some research and look into establishing a regional office. Upon doing this, you'll need to change over from the DTV to an appropriate visa.

@David *******

Depends. It might work, or it might not. You take the risk, but it comes down to the airline and who's on duty.

@David *******

No problem until an airline check-in agent demands on onward ticket. If anything it's better to exit Thailand by land and come back by air as you definitely won't need an onward ticket with a DTV visa.

@Luit ****************

Absolutely. That's another concern.

@Luit ****************

I think IF you could qualify for a Thai passport one day and want to live in Thailand, then apply for it. Again, assuming you would be eligible. It can't hurt and it will only benefit you.

Of course, unless they make it much easier to apply for it, chances are, you probably won't ever qualify, but just saying.

@Dominic *****

Yes, for example China. Almost impossible to become a citizen.

However, Taiwan is straightforward. Many westerners have become Taiwanese and there's no need to be ethnically Chinese either.

Japanese citizenship is becoming more straightforward to acquire these days, though I believe they only recognize one nationality so you do have to give up your other nationalities if you want to hold Japanese nationality.

@Dominic *****

Yes, it's quite a hassle. I've met several farang who became Thai citizens, but it wasn't an easy process. Over time, it's becoming a little more streamlined, but there are no investment schemes or honorary Thai citizenship (except in very rare cases), unlike say Cambodia, where you can basically purchase citizenship, which again, is a bonus for traveling around SE Asia, not to mention living and working, or investing in Cambodia.

@Dominic *****

I thought Germany has loosened the rules now on dual citizenship?

@Dominic *****

I don't know why you would say that. Thailand allows (or at least, tolerates) dual citizenship. For travel anywhere within the 10 member ASEAN region, you couldn't do better than with a Thai passport.

Yes, for Malaysia and Singapore, many western passports receive 90 days rather than the 30 you receive on a Thai passport, but unless you need that much time in those countries, then a Thai passport is superior because you won't need a visa for Laos, Vietnam or Indonesia and stay 30 days.

You can use land border crossings with neighboring countries that only allow local citizens across with just an ID card and border pass, including borders such as Mae Sai and Mae Sot, which are currently open to Thais, but closed to foreigners.

For Cambodia, you can stay for 14 days. For the Philippines it's 30 days. Brunei is visa-free too. Myanmar is visa free for 14 days if flying in. Land border entries only require an ID card but with restrictions on how far you can travel.

China is visa-free for 30 days. Russia is visa-exempt for 30 days.

With a Thai ID card/passport, you don't need to pay farang fees while visiting tourist sites.

You can start a business and work anywhere.

If I was afforded the privilege of holding a Thai passport, especially for permanent residence in the Kingdom, then obviously I would take it over a spousal visa that offers few rights or privileges.