Unquestionably, the DTV is a far superior alternative to many other visa types, which obviously annoys people / groups who earn money from those other visa types.

Looking ahead, it seems likely / possible (nobody knows) that 2 main things could change:

1. eligibility rules could be tightened up, especially for the 'soft power' category, because it's so open to abuse.

2. the DTV and especially the 'workcation' category could become less attractive, if and when the tax authorities get strict tax on global income.

But, both of these are just possibilities, the former is just motivation for anyone considering DTV to get it ASAP, and the latter is just something that those with DTV for workcation will need to consider if and when the time comes.

However, the DTV doesn't come with enough benefits to attract enough people to have the major negative consequences on society that digital nomad visa / residency schemes have had in some other countries, so I don't see what the trigger for it being cancelled would be.

There is no need to fix your itinerary to apply for a visa to visit Thailand.

Get DTV immediately.

Completing the application yourself will be quicker than contacting an agent and then providing them with all the same information and documents.

@Sky ****

I think it's more about bringing more expats into the tax base (similar to how many self-employed Thais were tricked into the system through the various Covid-related handout schemes)

@Greg *******

I think that's unlikely given the effort that would be involved with re-training all the border officers to assess what qualifies as ongoing for each of the many DTV options, but indeed anything could happen over the next 5 years

As long as you go on holiday occasionally, you will get a 6-month entry stamp each time upon your return so no need for extensions - I can't imagine many expats never go away, except perhaps elderly retirees who would be better off with a retirement visa.

you can be a shareholder, as long as you're not involved with managing/operating the business, but most coffee shops lose money, so I wouldn't recommend to rely on it as an extra source of income

DTV is better than retirement visa, except for people who never travel abroad.

Ignore the visa company and read through the posts in this group.