RedReding

I'd say the easiest path is if you can prove that you're working for companies based out of Thailand and choose the "Workcation" route. See below my guide based on my own experience at the embassy in Vientiane.

Here's my detailed experience about my successfull DTV application in Vientiane. I've made an appointment online on the official website of the Thailand Embassy of Vientiane. It took a few minutes only, and I was able to book an appointment on the 11th of October. On the 11th of October, I brought with me all my documents and forms filled up in advance (I've got a printer at home which helps a lot, if you don't have one, there's a print shop in front of the Embassy on the other side of the street). I arrived at the embassy 30 minutes before opening hours (roughly at 8.30 AM). There were only about 5 people in front of me. The place was very empty. There's first of all, a young person sitting at a table outside who pre-checks all your documents. After that, he gives you a ticket and you need to proceed further to the actual counter where one person, quite thoroughly, re-check all your documents. I chose the Workcation route as I work online as a Freelancer. Here's what I provided : - Complete filled form (you can download it here : https://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visa-application-form?menu=65cae4d9733c85527866bb13 - Passport - 2 Pictures - Copy of my Passport's first page (with my signature) - Copy of my latest entry stamp for Thailand (with my signature) - Copy of my latest out of the country stamp from Thailand (with my signature) - Copy of entry stamp into Laos (with my signature) - Copy of my VISA for Laos (with my signature) - Detailed CV - Portfolio of past and current projects I work on. - Motivation Letter addressed to the Embassy explaining what my job is all about, my past experience in the last 10 years, and why I'd like to be based in Thailand (I think they quite liked that) - Two employment contracts (with company stamp) from my biggest clients which give me a regular income (seemed very important) - Lease agreement in Thailand which runs till summer next year (seemed to be important to the employee there) - Bank Statement (savings account) showing no less than 500K in the last 6 months. (The employee checked every single page and day balance) (Thai Bank Account) - Bank Statement from another account (Outside of Thailand) showing regular income from various clients in the last 6 months (regular income included and matched the name of the companies I work with and which I have a contract for) At some point, the employee at the counter asked me for a payslip (that I couldn't provide). I told him that I didn't have one but that he could check my proof of regular income on the second bank statement from the last 6 months, as the names of the companies providing the salary match with the contracts I provided. He said "Ok, I know" and asked me to pay the fee in Baht in cash (10k). And that's it ! I was quite nervous for the next five days but went back to the embassy the following Wednesday (almost empty Embassy again) and to my greatest delight picked up my passport with my DTV printed in it. Flew back to Thailand 2 days later and received my first 180 days stamp. I hope my experience helps many here. Life is good. Good luck ! Cheers

Thank you

I've got one question : does the Thai Embassy in Vientiane accept Thai Baht as payment for the DTV or does it need to be USD ?

So here's two questions I'm sure a lot of people would like to get an answer for : - If you're a foreign worker in Laos with a work permit, stay permit (essentially a temporary resident) can you apply for the new DTV Multiple-entries 5 years visa at the Thailand embassy in Vientiane ? - If you're on a tourist visa in Laos, can you apply for the new DTV Multiple-entries 5 years visa ? As a resident and foreign worker in Laos, you can already apply for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa for Thailand, so logically, you should be able to do the same for the DTV. Any direct experience would be great. According to the website, E-visa doesn't seem to be an option when applying from Laos. Let's discuss this. Cheers.

That's not true. You definitely can if you're a foreign resident (work permit/resident permit) of the country you apply from. So it might be the same for the DTV.

A little update from my direct experience today : - I got stopped at a checkpoint in Chiang Mai today for the first time ever, and showed them my A/B Lao driving license. The police officer who looked at my license looked a bit surprised (I mentioned that I work in Laos) and showed it to his superior who nodded to say that it is indeed valid in Thailand. Please note that I have the bike under my name with all the papers (green book) and that the road tax is up to date. They wished me a good day and off I went. Hope this helps the ones who were not sure. I took the written and driving test. That was it.

Thanks a lot again for the extra precisions.

Thank you DrJack.

Hi experts, I'm due a tourist exempt extension next week and I'm in possession of my TM30 that dates to my previous entry in Thailand (1st of November on the TM 30 sheet) and not to my actual latest entry in Thailand last month (9th of December). Do I need to update it to get a 30-day extension? I get conflicted answers from people around me as well as on the internet. Thanks a lot in advance.

Thanks all for responding and apologies for the late answer. Totally missed your messages. So according to @Tod Daniels and his link, people who have a stay permit and working permit in Laos can indeed apply for a METV for Thailand. No need of permanent residence. This means that the "Proof of Permanent Residence in Lao PDR" stipulated by the Thailand Vientiane embassy website is simply wrong and incomplete. This is really valuable info for everyone I believe. @MangoKorat@DrJack54@Red Phoenix

Thank you DrJack.

Any special requirements for the SETV ? Yes, I know for the visa exempt bounces but I just prefer to get a Tourist Visa as I'm planning on an extended stay of 60+ days in Thailand. 2 per calendar year ? I assume you mean there are only 2 allowed if you cross the land border. Can you choose your preferred day for the appointment or do they randomly choose one for you? I was hoping to go to the embassy on Wednesday. Thanks a lot for your answers.

I didn't know there was such a thing. I just assumed that having a stay permit based on work would suffice to apply for a METV. I guess not. So I guess i can only apply for a TV ?

Hi experts, Does anyone have direct experience with getting a multi-entry tourist visa for Thailand at the embassy in Vientiane ? I live and work in Laos (got a work permit, stay permit card, working visa) but the requirements in the image I attached below are confusing to me. What do they mean by "Proof of permanent residence" ? Does anyone have direct experience ? If I apply today for an appointment can I choose the desired date to go to the embassy ? Thanks in advance

Took me 4 hours because immigration was absolutely packed and I was literally the last person there to come out of immigration. Overall a smooth process. Needed copies of every single page of my old passport as well as an updated TM30 from my most recent entry. Also had to fill a "transfer visa form". All good. Thank you everyone for your help.

Good to know. Thank you. About the TM30, I already have one that dates back to my previous entry in September, I just need to update it tomorrow. I have a 1-year rental lease.

Thank you.

Hi all, I entered Thailand visa exempt beginning of the month on my old passport and I've just received my new passport. My visa exempt stamp is due tomorrow. Can I get a 30 days extension stamp into my new passport at the immigration office tomorrow by showing my old passport alongside my new passport ? Best

That's great. Almost no point for getting a Thai License in that case.

Hi all, I'm a foreigner who got a Lao driving license for both car and motorbike and from what I read online, i'm allowed to use it to drive freely in Thailand thanks to the bilateral agreements between both countries. Does anyone have direct experience they can relate ? My other question is : can I convert my Lao driving license into a Thai one without taking additional tests ? Best

No one knows ?

Hey all, I'm a foreigner who speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese already but who would like to take the HSK 6 exam while studying for it in a school in Chiang Mai. Any recommendations for the best school ? If yes, do they provide a 1 year ED VISA ? Best

I've definitely seen the SWIFT option before when I transferred USD from my balance to a classic bank abroad (not a Wise account).

Right I see. I checked, and it's basically the same fee from transferring USD directly to a Thai Bank account than converting your balance to Thai Baht beforehand within wise. It's indeed not clear at all. I've got another question : Let's say I have a partner who has a Kasikorn account, could I send that partner money in Thai Baht from my balance knowing that the 50K Thai Baht limit doesn't apply to Kasikorn ? Also, would this be considered as a local transfer ? Thanks a lot for your answers !