@John *********

nor did I say it was legal. These is no law that says it is nor is there case law saying said interpretation is the correct legal interpretation.

What I am saying is it is a grey area. And you are saying it isn’t and then turning around and describing it as one.

Though I feel it is light grey where clearly you think it is dark grey.

But if you were in digital nomad communities you would know how big a deal the raids were and how fast officials “corrected” course and told them they were not breaking the law and it was allowed.

Considering it was low level officials and police who did these raids I think it is safe to assume the call for release and etc came from higher up.

So yes I think it is clear the current interpretation of Thai law is that it is allowed. Again that doesn’t mean it is legal. But it means a bit more than your statement that they are simply not pursuing it.

Because they have “arrested” people for it on multiple occasions and they have been let go. Why? They were told because they were not breaking the law and/or it was allowed.

We wouldn’t see people caught in such raids being let go if it was merely about not pursuing it. No they wanted to make it clear that it was allowed.

Thailand and many other countries are well aware that many tourists and especially the most desirable (Aka rich) tourists do various levels of work while on vacation.

It’s why nearly every country has a bit of grey or spelled out exceptions for what work is allowed. Even the US does. You can see what kind of “work” is allowed on a B2 visa for example.

In Thailand currently they allow it. And when that changes it will be all over digital nomad groups. Word spreads pretty fast any time anyone is seemingly arrested, deported or etc for remote work.

But considering they are making special long term visas for high paid remote workers I doubt that will happen.

They will continue to keep out the ones they don’t want using enforcement of immigration laws. Like the current crack down on the fake volunteer visas. And how they are handling those who took advantage of (and maybe abused) the covid extensions.

@John *********

there have literally been raids and “arrests” on co-working spaces over the years. The digital nomads were released and as I said some low level officials have made statements about it being allowed.

In most countries it is grey because of how they define work based on the interpretation of the laws.

Thailand is the only one I know of personally that has had even low level officials say it is allowed.

It is still grey because at any time the official interpretation of the law could change.

Side note: you should not bring up the “working” part to officials as even if technically it is allowed most wouldn’t know or understand that.

No reason to cause issues for yourself.

You are in Thailand as a tourist, retiree, or etc. keep it simple. That is the stuff they care about.

This is a digital nomad issue.

Current interpretation of Thai law is that working online for companies and businesses outside of Thailand is not “work” as defined by Thailand for needing a work permit and even taxation.

Low level officials over the years have said as much. Such as public statements made after the arrest and release of digital nomads at co working locations.

All digital nomading is grey areas. Thailand just happens to be really light grey.

Basically if you don’t talk about it you seemingly will be fine.

@John *****

basically $1k US a year? Self employed? And she can’t turn that into a loss with write offs?

Come on. She could literally buy a phone or computer and take it as a business write off and the profit would be gone.

Likely could offset other income and lower her taxes.

Just be careful to show a loss in too many years in a row.

I think she is foolish if she doesn’t report it.

Don’t lie to the irs.

Just do proper write off and etc.

And consider the 15% an investment that pays out as social security payments later.

She likely isn’t making enough for this to make much of a difference anyways.

Side note: if you are not aware it is very hard to get. Even residency is.

If you have to wait for funds from the sale it will be whenever that is.

If you have the means without the sale you can go whenever.

You can get a visa in advance or just fly in. Either way there are extension options in county.

I mean if you can afford it you could fly to Thailand this week. Not sure if you could get all the stuff for the dog that fast.

Now if you have specific questions about certain visa or extension options or the pet process I think it would be better to ask those.

But time? It will take as little or as much as you make it.

Your funds and if they are tied into the house and the dog are the only things that at all complicate it time wise. Other wise there is nothing stopping you from doing it as fast as you want.

The issue is and has always been that people (including you clearly) have been using these and similar visas as long term tourist visas.

No harm no foul IMO to use loopholes. But you have to be aware said loop holes can end.

Seems like a crack down is happening.

You have a few choices.

1. Get a visa that is more in line with what you want.

If you have the money Thai Elite is your best bet. But since you run an online business you could possible get a visa off of that as well.

2. Focus on the Nomad part of being a digital nomad.

Thailand normally seems to have no problem with people sending about half the year as a tourist in Thailand. So you could stay in Thailand 3-6 months and then travel in other countries for the other 6-9 months.

3. Go to a country that is more open to long term stays.

Some like PH without loop holes will allow it. PH specifically allows many nationalities to extend up to 36 months and then border bounce and start over with less than 24hrs outside the country. (Think dinner in Singapore) Others have loop holes you could use that like Thailand may go away. But in loads of places there are always loopholes. Thailand has long been one of those places and we all know it have heard of someone who has been in Thailand for decades without a true long term visa.

4. You could find another loop hole that is working long term for Thailand. Like I said Thailand has long been a country known for them.

Pre-covid IMO the writing was on the wall that they were going to start cracking down more. Post-covid we have seen people who used covid extensions struggle to get back in without spending significant time outside the country. And of course reports like this.

Thailand doesn’t seem to want long term tourists. It might have nothing to do with people like yourself but you are clearly caught up in it. Doesn’t really matter if they are targeting you or random Chinese nationals (as another comment suggests) with these enforcement changes. You have to deal with them.

I personally don’t think option 4 is a good option myself. But I’m not you so maybe you will.

Either way education visas seem to be out for your personally.

Good luck.

A lawyer would say for sure but depending on the state in the US the will normally would hold at least mostly.

Many wives get nothing in cases like this in the US.