hugolars

Guys, I don't buy that "working remotely" equals "working in Thailand" for several reasons.

In my opinion, unless some Thai minister say otherwise, is that "working in Thailand" is exactly what it say it is.

Selling services in Thailand, then you need a company.

or

conducting services in Thailand. For this you need being employed.

Both things involves making income from the Thai economy and it makes complete sense that tax must be payed and WP is needed.

BUT, if i happen to be in Thailand and conduct some kind of service to someone outside Thailand and tax for that service according law in that country then Thailand has absolutely nothing do do with it since I'm not a Thai citizen.

Anything can be considered work. If I'm here on holiday and read a book that is related to my profession then that is actually "work".

It just does not make any sense for many reasons.

I have read many threads on this issue and I'm absolutely not convinced that Thai law is broken by working remotely.

This need to be debated further and questions have to asked the right way to Thai officials.

It needs to be highlighted that remote workers are great for Thai economy since money from abroad is pumped pumped into the system.

BR.

Hugo

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Many here suggest the TE card but its unthinkable to me because:

1. It is still illegal to "work" while here with TE card. By "work" I mean work remotely with my business in my country. So im breaking Thai law when I bring in already taxed funds to spend in Thailand. I would feel very stupid to pay 500 000 bath and committing a crime.

2. I can afford to pay 500 000 but it still relatively a lot of money. Most people in my country (western Europe) have to work for a couple years to save this amount of money. Also the thought of giving away this amount of money to be allowed to stay here and spend my money would also make me feel stupid.I would rather give 500 000 bath to the red cross.

Hugolars, working remotely with your business in your country is legal with Visa ED ?

Everyone, what is a TE card ? o.O

I'm no veteran at issue but what I have learned that you are not allowed to do any kind of work without work permit visa.

TE=Thailand Elite card. 500k for 5 year visa.

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I hope we'll have an official announcement so I can start packing for a good reason...

You can start packing. I was same like you on ED for some years. It's all over now. Was at immigration today, all the rules changed. They want to see pictures and more pictures and more pictures from your home, your school, you in the school, i had a bunch of pics and paperwork with me - no chance. They try everything to kick us out of here, and i have to admit they are now successfull. I go now and spent the 100.000 Baht i left here every month now in another asian country. Their are many asian countrys where western foreigners are very welcome. We can get visa everywhere in the world were they count on our euros and dollars. In Thailand it is over, something changed dramaticly in the recent weeks and i cannot see the land of smile anymore.

The land of smile becomes the land of xenophobia. If they really believe we westeners are here for taking the thaipeoples jobs away, if they really thinking any westener wants to work in a country where the average salary is lower than the social welfare in his homecountry, than let them thinking what they want and let the time tell them the truth. I guess the things will become nasty soon... No Visas, no farangs, no farangs, no good business anymore, no good business, no money, no money = no smile anymore when the borrow has to be paid back but daddy and mum are unable to do so and the livingstandard drops...

Looking forward what Bali, the Philipines, Vietnam or Malaysia have to offer. The Visas give me the feeling that i'm welcome their, in Thailand i'm not welcome anymore. Good Bye LOS.

Sorry to hear that you are leaving. However, as you had all the necessary pictures and paperwork, that means you are a genuine student and should not have had a problem with renewing your ED visa, so why are you deciding to leave?

Additionally, you are spending about Thb 1.2 million every year for the past few years so you are obviously not short of funds - why not consider the TE card?

I was now a genuine student, but this don't helps anymore in these times...They not want us cause they think everybody who stays here longer than a few weeks is working illegally. So they crack down every options to stay longer.

I heard about this TE Card, but i not consider to stay any longer in such a xenophobia country on the edge to some serious problems - and of course i would not support this strange new behavior with 1,2m Baht just for visa. I spent 1,2m baht for my living, not for visa, no way. In other countrys in asia they offer me long stay visa for much less.

I am in the same situation as you.

Many here suggest the TE card but its unthinkable to me because:

1. It is still illegal to "work" while here with TE card. By "work" I mean work remotely with my business in my country. So im breaking Thai law when I bring in already taxed funds to spend in Thailand. I would feel very stupid to pay 500 000 bath and committing a crime.

2. I can afford to pay 500 000 but it still relatively a lot of money. Most people in my country (western Europe) have to work for a couple years to save this amount of money. Also the thought of giving away this amount of money to be allowed to stay here and spend my money would also make me feel stupid.I would rather give 500 000 bath to the red cross.

“A visa is not a guarantee that you can enter the country, that decision is made by the immigration officer at border check-point. It’s the same with every country around the world.

This is crap.

If you have a visa issued from empbassy or consulate and they do not let you in the coutry because you have to many stamps is BS. Of course every imigration officer at the aIrport can deny entry but there have to be a big reason. Contraband or something else REALLY serious. Not becaus "i suspect you are not a tourist".

The person at the embassy issuing a visa surly have more competence than the borderguard to conclude that you are not a "tourist" and NOT giving you a visa OR giving you a huge waning THAT YOU MAY NOT BE ALLOWED INTO THE COUTRY.

I live in Europe and have not once heard that someone with proper visa not being allowed into the country.

Anyone who have visited Thailand two or three times during two years better go spend your money someplace else. Imagine after 14 hours flight getting turnd back by a borderguard. No thank you.