@Han *******

the pollution problem in Chiang Mai is only confined to February, March and finished in April. Outside of those months the air quality is very good and it’s a delightful place to live

For example

Chiang Mai to Vientiane is a great option, Air Asia, less than 10,000 baht return ticket. Some decent places to hang out in Vientiane for a couple of days, if you know where to look.

Or Hanoi, around 12,000 baht return tickets, and such a vibrant place, and cultural delights

Chiang Mai a great place to live, and no problem for servicing the exit/entry requirements of DTV.

To only downside to Chiang Mai is the severe air pollution February through to April. Forest fire smoke suffocates the city.

I lived there for 3 years, and the pollution was terrible every year during these months

If you don’t go into Thailand before your visa application is completed, you should be ok.

The only problem is if the Thai Embassy call you to go for an interview. If you are not in the country that might well be a problem.

@Andrew *******

it’s possible but very unlikely, especially when they have sight of the 5 year visa.

No. And also you must register entry into Thailand on the TDAC website. You register your DTV number in TDAC and you do not enter departure details. immigration know as soon as they scan your passport that you are a DTV holder, with up to 180 days stay. You still must show them the printout of your visa for avoidance of IO error on your entry stamp. Before you leave the immigration kiosk check you have the 180 stamp. Mistakes are made by immigration officials and is much easier to get it put right with the IO immediately

Congratulations 🥂 I also got my DTV for freelance working through HCMC, very similar time scale as yourself. Extra documentation required, and a few days after, approved and issued

You still have to apply yourself for your visa, in a country outside of Thailand. If you pay an agent, they can only help you prepare all the required documents for your chosen DTV visa route, which should reduce the chance of rejection, as they know what to look for

I did all my own preparation for my application applying for DTV as a freelancer, with all the support evidence.

All went through smoothly. HCMC embassy 7 working days from start to Visa issued

If anything it enhances your chances of being approved. You have not been abusing visa except stamps entry into Thailand

The Lawyer is absolutely correct. You must be outside of Thailand and apply online. You will be asked to provide evidence of the location that you are in to make your application. Including copies of your passport pages, showing the entry stamp into whichever country you apply from. They will also most likely ask for pictures of all passport pages including blank pages a few days into the application to check you are still in the same country. Do not try and do anything else or your application will be rejected, and you lose the visa fee