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

Yes indeed. His friend from the Pattaya Mail, Barry Kenyon is the same - that guy seems to hate the DTV too and has written many fear mongering and in hindsight inaccurate articles on this visa. Only in more recent weeks have DTV articles written by him and published on the Pattaya Mail been less biased and more accurate.

@Sefton *******

Yes he's definitely been very biased on the DTV ever since it became available just over 6 months ago. Not only that, but some of his concerns have been proven false, though I wouldn't dismiss everything he's said...apparently at least one person has been asked to produce a work contract at immigration when entering the country? Normally, that shouldn't be requested.

I've made 4 entries into the country on DTVs already, 1 via air, the other 3 via land (2 of which used the same land crossing) and without incident.

I was questioned about what I do, which is fine. Mostly, it was to satisfy the curiosity of the officer. The only border where I found officers were familiar with the DTV due to lack of any questions was the one I crossed back to Thailand from twice.

@Hanson *****

Depends where you were in Europe, some countries weren't too bad during Covid, particularly Sweden. Switzerland was a case of what part of the country you were in and they generally scrapped rules quickly, moving on from mask wearing even at hospitals in early 2022, half a year before Thailand finally dropped government mask mandates (although many schools and privately operated businesses continued with this madness for another 6-12 months), in some cases into late 2023!

Nevertheless, if you were stuck in Thailand during Covid, in that you have a family and a home here and didn't have any pressing need to return to Europe for work, then Thailand was OKish, especially if you were in Bangkok, Hua Hin and upper middle class, where the authorities didn't bother you at home.

Anyway, a bit off topic but just wanted to make that commentary.

I think you're very right about his advice during those times; I learned a lot too, including the fact the state of emergency could be challenged in terms of some of the mandates it claimed to impose.

@Ethan **********

My comments don't appear on his channel anymore. Yet strangely, comments criticizing him are posted (though the ones criticizing him only make up perhaps 10% of all comments). Even scammer comments appear, yet mine won't. Doesn't matter if I change to a different account. Thus, I've stopped commenting because there's no point.

@Chris ****

I used to like him and still do for most things but I agree with you that he's way off base when it comes to his criticisms of the DTV.

I've noticed the same with my comments on his channel. Over the years, I've used about 4 or 5 different YouTube accounts to make comments and every single time I get shadow banned roughly after my third or fourth comment, usually made over the course of a week or two.

This doesn't happen on other channels, where I can use my main account for comments and most of them appear. Importantly, I'm not banned on any other channel but his, yet most of my past comments at least, were supportive of him.

I just don't get it.

I'm not even banned from commenting on Tim Newton's channel and that guy can be a real jerk. In fact, he would often reply to my comments in his usual, arrogant, know it all style.

Anonymous participant 213 I've not heard of immigration at airports or land borders asking for proof of work contracts. That would slow down processing a lot. You must be referring to in country extensions.

They might ask you what your purpose of stay is when re-entering (or even entering the first time) but that's about it.

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

No, presumably one of the many 2 or 3 star hotels in Vientiane. This was back in August/early September when I asked.

100K including statements, probably yes.

@BarSo******

Out of curiosity, I asked one agent to give me a quote, who was charging 27,000 Baht to help with an application done in Vientiane. 30,000 Baht if you needed their lodging and driving service while there. I felt that was already quite expensive.

This soon ballooned to 50,000, then 100,000 Baht. Crazy amount of money.

@Wannikea ********

I remember from reading it, the sponsoring company only needs to have a revenue of USD 50 million (down by ) plus the drop in the minimum income requirement but the rest is mostly the same as before.

@Jack *******

sounds like you're a troll and a lo s er. Why are you wasting time on this forum if you're supposedly so "loaded"?