@Bruno **********

I have Wise but it's not always the best deal. I withdraw money directly from one of my Thai accounts.You can get by with a credit or debit card but at some point, cash is usually needed.

That is unless you have a recently issued e-visa where they state what activity you're here for. On the visa stickers, they all state "employment prohibited" and nothing else.

@Ryan ***********

No.

@Sean ******

Exactly.

@John *********

It's not, because the visa is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Only they would know what category you applied under. Immigration just sees DTV. You can also switch back and forth if you will, once you have the visa. You could start working remotely or start a soft power activity.

@Bruno **********

Sadly that is far from true. 50% of merchants will accept cards but you still need cash in some instances and paying 220 Baht + 5 USD / EUR / CHF / AUD + up to 3.5% of the amount withdrawn is a massive amount to be charged just for withdrawing money from a foreign bank account (in a few rare instances, such fees are refunded but not many banks offer this as it costs them too much).

Rogerio Fung Interesting hypothesis but my experience differs. I often travel with Chinese colleagues and while they gain entry inn the end, they have been given the run-around. This was particularly true prior to the China-Thailand visa exemption. Back in the days before this, Chinese citizens needed to obtain a visa on arrival and show proof of lodging and 20,000 Baht in cash per person.

I don't get the impression they were privileged; in fact, I probably received more privileges as I wasn't questioned but I hold a western passport.

Away from immigration and just in general Thai society, perhaps you have a point but as far as immigration is concerned, they're definitely looking at your passport and not what you look like (although with that stated, there is some bias against South Asians, Arabs and Africans).

@Andi **********

In Thailand those on non-Bs supply tax documents but immigration only deals with Thai tax matters, not foreign ones.

@Andrew **********

Which is why I hope western libtards never gain any political power here. Sure, I can get behind making it easier for married expats to stay here long-term, as well as making it easier to get a work permit but I will never support an open border policy like most liberals demand. Unfortunately, this government is following their masters by having legalized gay marriage, opened the floodgates by allowing so many nationalities to enter visa free for 60 days, is totally obsessed with never ending mass tourism etc.

The DTV is a good initiative, but I feel it's starting to be abused and perhaps it should only be for digital nomads, with a separate medical category. Soft power should be a separate visa valid for say 12 months not 5 years. Marriage visas should be for 5-10 years and no problem if they require a million Baht or so in the bank for t

@Felipe ********

Most old expats are angry about other things more than this. They're mostly left leaning libtards, constantly whining about how unfair Thailand is, how racist it is (to them), how Thailand needs to change [to be more like the west] and so forth. These types spend their days whining away on Asean Now and the Bangkok Post and then throw a tantrum when their comments get deleted, LOL.