It is a multi-entry visa good for 5 year. You can leave and enter as you want.

Each time you enter you get 180 days.

And on each entry you can extend another 180 days for a total of 360 before you have to leave.

Some have gotten it via a business (even just just self employed) and a tax return to prove it.

You may need to find someone who will use the same embassy as you or just chance it.

@Kami *****

US passport holders can extend up to 36 months total in country and leaving and reentering resets it.

Makes a good home base in Asia.

But get a feel for different countries and their rules before deciding.

In many ways I prefer Thailand but PH is way easier for staying in without grey areas.

@Kami *****

if you are not tied to TH I would suggest spending more time outside of it.

Also consider adding other countries to your list. Some like PH (Philippines) are very easy for long term stays. While others are much harder.

Being more nomadic or staying in easier countries helps not have issues.

@Roberto ********

summery of the rules and how they will be applied.

@Roberto ********

is there a good source you are aware of that actually lays out realistically what it looks like?

I would suggest visiting other similar countries first.

One can be a long term tourist in some (Philippines is basically forever) while being nomadic between several keeps you within the rules of being a tourist in others.

Yes there are ways to stay in Thailand long term before 50. Some are grey area and some are 100% above board.

But until you have experienced several countries and areas within each you really can’t know what you like or don’t.

Given Thailand doesn’t want people living there on the wrong visas it is worth traveling more to be sure you want to put in the effort.

Once you are 50 as long as you have the income/assets it is relatively easy to stay in Thailand.

Before that why not not make sure it is best for you?

Curious about why you got denied?

1. No one knows yet what it really means.

2. I’m 100% sure the answer is no.

@John *********

while true the only people to have been detained (arrested?) for being digital nomads were quickly released. Happened to a few groups several years back.

And low level officials even made statements it is allowed.

Clearly there is no law saying it is legal. But current interpretation of the law by authorities is that it is.

That could change at any moment.

But Thailand is the most light grey for digital nomads that I know of.