@Stephan **********

I don't think you read the article. You pay the 300 baht when you apply for the ETA, which only applies to tourist entries

@Michael *******

Correct. The reason I posted this latest news release is because I mentioned the 300 baht tourist tax would be tagged onto the ETA in a post a couple of weeks ago, and got the usual round of abuse from other members in the group, and unfortunately I couldn't find the Bangkok Post article which mentioned this

@Pui ****

It'll be part of the ETA application process. It only applies to tourists, not to Thai citizens or non-immigrant visa holders. Hence the "tourist tax" label

I'll be doing it next year when my non-O expires. You just have to choose which avenue of the DTV you can easily meet. Many oldies are using the medical/dental route. I'm using the "remote worker" option. DTV is by far a more superior option than the non-O for those who travel frequently. Some pretty big financial savings. It's a great visa, the DTV, a real game-changer

@Ralph ******

Exactly! So the "spirit of the visa" doesn't actually exist in Thailand. It's all about lies and corruption. No reason why the DTV will be any different

@Ralph ******

The "spirit" of the visa? How about retirement visas which require 800k be kept in a Thai bank account? You are aware that thousands of people pay visa agents up to 30,000 baht every year to "circumnavigate" this requirement? Is that in the "spirit" of the visa? Or do we turn a blind eye to that one?

@Ralph ******

I don't know what you call "cheating"? The guys I know met the criteria and were given the visa. I do know there's others using visa agents to get around the criteria. Perhaps they're the "cheats"?

@Christopher **********

Yes for those who are happy to just remain in Thailand the LTR is probably a better option for retirees. I'm an avid traveller, travelling 3-4 times every year, so for me the DTV is much cheaper and more flexible, and the big plus is never having to visit an immigration office to endure their pedantic nuances!

@Christopher **********

It may have been aimed at "digital nomads" but many retirees are taking advantage of it's more flexible operation when compared to the non-O retirement visa, and are "reinventing" themselves as digital nomads. I will be taking this option when my current non-O expires

What exactly do you define as "the big move"? If you mean sell up everything in your home country and sever all ties, I'd never suggest this on ANY visa