@Ray ****

well you are ok to believe what you like, but we will definitely start to see issues with soft power applications once courses are over and re entries become the norm. As the purpose of the visa is no longer the same once the purpose of the application is over. And it definitely hasn’t been made clear what will happen.

@Ray ****

it will of course depend on the immigration officer, but you can be sure the future will throw up more than a few cases of rejection and no entry to the country.

There is NO clear way for immigration to deal with this, and if you meet one having a bad day you are at there mercy.

Even with a DTV you don’t have the right to enter and they can ask you anything they like and reject for any reason. And this particular visa will definitely have some issues on extensions and reentry and you will hear more and more about it.

For context over 1000 people a week are turned away just at the 2 international airports in Bangkok. For variety of different reasons.

@Ray ****

do a search, it’s happened a few times

It’s one of those situations where it’s not going to be easy, while soft power will work, no one currently knows why will happen on entry or extension after the course etc has finished.

There are some reports on people being asked for paperwork from immigration to confirm still employed etc on reentry and this may well apply for soft power as well.

My advice right now is wait a little bit and see how this pans out over the next couple of months if people get rejected on entry.

The visa itself does NOT give you the right to enter Thailand. It just gives you the right to stay if allowed in.

Print it, it does actually say you should print, and you only need to come across an IO having a bad day and he could simply stamp as tourist as you don’t actually have the visa.

That’s my opinion anyway.

And check its 180 days before leaving the booth, they do make mistakes 😉

@Wannikea ********

never say never haha

May well end up that all ports of entry will require paperwork. But for now I would bounce.

@Timo *******

like I said, depends, different places will have different rules, and again Samui will do on a tourist visa, I can’t answer for other places as you need paperwork that may or may not be possible to get.

Like some immigration places won’t give you a residence certificate unless on a long term visa. Other places the DLT will accept a residence certificate but won’t accept the tourist visa.

You have to go and find out for yourself in the location you’re in.

I can only answer for where I am and how it worked here.

@Timo *******

depends on where, every place has different rules, Samui I know you can do on a tourist visa, not sure about other places.

Just make sure you have IDP with you as well as the licence from your home country.

Email and ask specifically for your situation to the embassy you are applying. That way you’ll get accurate info on what they require.