we disagree on your statement that all visa types start upon issue which is not true. A 60 day TV issued Jan 1 is valid to be be used until near end of March. Arrival on Feb 1 is when the 60 days stay, not Jan 1.
not true. They have a validity date range (usually 90 days from issue). If no entry by the end date, the visa expires unused. The time of the length of the visa starts upon entry. 60 days for TV, 90 for non-o. Hence I believe (but don't know for sure since DTV is a multi-entry visa). That the 5 year clock starts ticking upon 1st entry. But I know from experience the other two visa types work as I describe and time starts upon entry.
but you said like all other visas obtained it off Thailand. Is DTV the exception? Because I know the two I mentioned don't start on issue, but upon entry
60 day tourist and 90 day non-o start when you enter. I believe DTV has an active start period like all others (enter between dates), but the 5yrs doesn't start till it is first used to enter.
A number of factors can come into play like: how long till you leave, how busy they are, what type of visa, etc... mine was about 5 days if I recall...