You're right, I know a bunch of things you don't know about this particular visa, who pushed it, and how it's universally disliked by the current Thai administration, Thai immigration, etc.
I Know Almost Everything The DTV visa is a Shinawatra scheme that's wildly unpopular with the current Thai authorities and Thai immigration as a whole. People who usually benefit from the usual workarounds don't benefit from the DTV. They will start by undermining it, then repeal it outright. Mark my words.
The whole DTV visa debacle will unravel real hard. If you think you've got a "5 year visa" with no strings attached for pennies, you're in for a nasty surprise.
DTV is a tourist visa. It's also a very shaky status. It's not a 5 year visa as often portrayed. It's a 180 day visa that might or might not be extended/renewed, at immigration's full discretion. Only a "self employed" work visa&permit would actually make sense for freelancers but this nonsensical DTV thing has been adopted instead.
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