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I now do the same 6m/6m after previously living in Thailand continuously since 2011. I hence looked into the same question for myself. I reached the following conclusions. No Fixed Rule: There's no absolute rule that staying in the UK for 6 months guarantees you have proven that you are maintaining a UK habitual residence. It's a guideline, not a legal threshold (unlike Statutory Residence Test, but this is a completely different consideration). Each case is assessed on its own merits, considering various factors beyond just the length of stays. Keep UK Ties Strong: In order to demonstrate strong UK ties maintain a UK address, bank accounts, and show regular communication with UK institutions and if possible demonstrate existing family ties. This is only required if there was an investigation, but this is unlikely to happen when you are in the UK for 6 months. Pattern of Stays: Regular patterns of long stays could influence any DWP's assessment, however any trips back to the UK, even short trips demonstrates ongoing ties to the UK. The longer the stay the stronger the tie to the UK. Even on the very small chance you are investigated and lose the case there is a procedure to demonstrate how you can become a UK resident again by doing normal thing like showing where you are living and proving you are paying bills for the stuff that you consume in the UK (for things like utilities and groceries over a two or three months period). Hence theoretically there could be a small period when indexing was lost however its quickly retrieved and you should have no problem in doing this.

Thank you impulse - This is really good feedback. This is real life data . Even if another person was not, I was surprised and found the information valuable that multiple Visa Exempt entries, when staying only a small amount of days was was acceptable over a very long period of time by immigration. Thank you for great feedback.

Good to hear - Thanks for adding this ChaiyaTH

Actually Good point - I had not thought through the calculation. However it might be that a previous border run before the 60 days Exempt then got affected by lenience on the new rule for a second border run after the 60 days Exempt new rule. But.....even as I type this, I know I am stretching sensible considerations a little too much here.

Fair Enough!

Theoretically it would be possible to get unlimited exemptions for appropriate passport holder, however as always immigration has the last say. Previously immigration were intolerant of multiple entry Visa exempts and directed visitors to apply for the right Visa. Is there any evidence that consideration has become more lenient since the new 60 day Visa exempt, which has now been available for close to 3 months ?

Sounds like the VE + Ext = Best solution. Thanks (also Enoon and Lite Beer) Last time I did a border hop Poipet Border and got a Cambodia and Tourist Visa via Nong Khai / Vientiane. Poipet from my last experience should be completely disregarded for border hop. - I am guessing that you are recommending Nong Khai - For any border hops? Yup Vietnam should be mini holiday, I have visited a number of times - Favourite is Da Nang.

Theoretically it is possible to enter Visa exempt and get 60 days, then leave and re-enter and get 60 days, then leave and re-enter and get 60 days for 180 days I am a UK passport holder and have been out of Thailand for last 15 months - I previously had mix of OA and O (retirement) over last 14 years, but my last visit was for just 6 months: 45 day exempt entry and 45 day exempt (Border hop) and extension in Bangkok and tourist visa in single entry Venetian. If my plan is possible, which border next to Thailand is the safest and how long is required to stay before returning for Immigration to accept re-entry for a land entry. If I was to take a different option by doing the exit and re-enter via Vietnam on either entry, and since Vietnam is not bordering Thailand this will need to be an air crossing and not a land crossing - would this increase the probability of success for either of the attempts for exit / re-entries on visa exempt 60 days.

Yes - I do get your point. At 9:22 Who qualifies "Category 1 = Freelances, Digital Nomads, remote workers". At 10:01 "Document that you need for Freelancers, remote workers digital nomads is a letter of certificate or employment from a company outside of Thailand." I guess if self employed then a proof of your tax return or other proof of business activity - Since this is for Embassy admin there should be minimum risk for impact on data available to say Thailand Tax authority (or other entities) because of data protection. Begs the question: The definition of Freelances and remote workers could be almost anything and hence the definition of what this actually means and how to prove it will be interesting to see.

Yup - Its never easy understanding what the rules are in Thailand and I do not know what business you are in, but if you are digitally focussed and according to the video - providing a decent professional portfolio may simply be enough. If on the other hand if your work is not digital, but simply provide work remotely, its going to be difficult to prove without invoice based evidence.

How to qualify as a Digital Nomad requires a suitable submission of "Certificate of employment or any professional portfolio of your work (interviewer asks) so if they have a a portfolio of clients and work they can show this (General Ninnad) yes professional ones of course" - He stated that it is not necessarily to have contracts to support the portfolio "but it would help" - It will be interesting to see how Digital Nomads are actually judged in order to qualify.

Thanks

Oklay-doklay...........Link?

A recent interview with the deputy director general for Consular Affairs General Ninnad on Youtube 2 days ago (RW4U Channel) outlined the requirement to obtain a DTV To qualify as a Digital Nomad requires a suitable submission of "Certificate of employment or any professional portfolio of your work (interviewer asks) so if they have a a portfolio of clients and work they can show this (General Ninnad) yes professional ones of course" - He stated that it is not necessarily to have contracts to support the portfolio "but it would help" - When granted a 5year multiple entry DTV it is unlimited and you can come and go as many times as you wish within the 5 years validity - Either done by Extension at immigration or simply leave the country every 180 days and return to Thailand for a further 180 days. While I can not yet see this on the London Embassy site detailing the DTV (but it may be an option once entering the e-Visa application process). While the devil will be in the details and also the interpretation from each Embassy - In principle there might be little stopping long stay expats simply developing a professional portfolio and applying on the basis of getting together a portfolio of digital content - Irrespective if they actually do any further digital work while they are in Thailand. It will be interesting to see how Digital Normads are actually judged for their valid credentials to qualify.

Ha...Brilliant! - Good Point