Embassies' varied interpretations on Destination Thailand Visa

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Pattaya Mail

 

As Thailand rolls out its new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), prospective applicants may find the process differs depending on the embassy they approach.

 

An initiative by the Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT), the DTV aims to attract long-term visitors, including digital nomads, retirees, and individuals interested in Thai culture and activities. However, the interpretation of requirements and fees for the visa has varied among Thai embassies worldwide.

 

In places like the U.S. and U.K., embassy websites follow the TAT's original guidelines but suggest that additional information might be required. Conversely, the Thai embassy in Cambodia has delayed processing until they receive updated online systems, writes Barry Kenyon for Pattaya Mail.

 

Detailed instructions are found at the Thai embassy in Kuala Lumpur, which demands proof of property rental or ownership in Thailand for at least six months, in contrast to the general TAT guideline.

 

Digital nomads must show authenticated employment contracts or business licenses from their home countries. Additionally, a bank statement providing a balance of at least 500,000 baht (approx. £11,500) over three months is required.

 

The DTV regulations allowing entry via soft power activities, such as Thai cookery or Muay Thai, also come with stipulations. Sponsoring companies must be registered with Thailand's Department of Education to combat potential exploitation of the visa rules. Some embassies demand proof of a stable income over six months, not just a sizable bank balance.

 

While the standard DTV fee is 10,000 baht (£230), service surcharges vary by location. The Thai embassies in the U.S. charge a total of US$400 (£330), London 300 pounds, and the New Zealand embassy, for reasons unknown, demands the equivalent of 1,000 pounds.

 

Importantly, this fee is non-refundable. Applicants with previous overstays in Thailand should also reconsider, as the immigration bureau—which oversees entries and extensions—has discretion to deny such applicants.

 

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that immigration officers could ask for updated documentation at any time during the visa’s five-year span, although this is not likely to occur frequently. The Thai immigration bureau has yet to comment publicly on this, leaving officers to use their discretion.

 

Prospective applicants are advised to review the specific requirements at their local Thai embassy, as each mission interprets the broad framework uniquely.

 

-- 2024-08-24

 

 

Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

[Gottfrid]

But, who would have thought they would interpret rules and procedures in a different way, as they are always so consistent in all other matters. Just the the big clown circus as usual.

My deepest condolences to all Kiwi´s

[shdmn]

4 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

But, who would have thought they would interpret rules and procedures in a different way, as they are always so consistent in all other matters. Just the the big clown circus as usual.

My deepest condolences to all Kiwi´s

Us Canadians are getting hosed as well.  Not as bad as Kiwi's though.

[ricklev]

Wait until the various immigration offices and borders get their mitts into it as DTV holders attempt to renew the visa or reenter Thailand.  Should be interesting...

[shdmn]

42 minutes ago, ricklev said:

Wait until the various immigration offices and borders get their mitts into it as DTV holders attempt to renew the visa or reenter Thailand.  Should be interesting...

Also, a lot of DTV holders will not know that they have to do 90 day reporting.  So expect to see lots of stories about that in the coming months.

[Sumiyoshicho]

3 hours ago, shdmn said:

Also, a lot of DTV holders will not know that they have to do 90 day reporting.  So expect to see lots of stories about that in the coming months.

Very true , Dec is the 6mth mark and when reality will set in for many. 

[Baba Naba]

SOSDD.... 🙄

[trevoromgh]

Can you apply for a DTV within Thailand rather than outside? 

Have a re-entry permit already which I normally extend by 12 months each year but as the DTV is for 5 years it might at least save one hassle annually but need to read the T&Cs first.

[hotchilli]

I won't be getting one so not bothered.

[Gottfrid]

2 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

I won't be getting one so not bothered.

No, it´s quite easy to hold 800k in a bank and just renew every year. No problem at all. That amount, shouldn´t be a problem for any guy who wish to retire in a foreign country. It´s ridiculous how much talk and complaint it has been about that. Even as it´s not even the minimum you need as a safety for relocating abroad.

[Captain Flack]

Some off topic posts have been removed

[sambum]

 "............leaving officers to use their discretion."

 

Recipe for disaster!!!

[Trevor Collins]

TITT; This is typical Thailand. When a piece of ambiguous legislation is passed or even mooted, 

IO officers are sometimes as much in the dark as those who apply for it. There will be, however,

plenty of chancers/scam artistes who will take Joe Public for a ride and demand exorbitant fees

for doing next to nothing.   

[Upnotover]

2 hours ago, trevoromgh said:

Can you apply for a DTV within Thailand rather than outside? 

Have a re-entry permit already which I normally extend by 12 months each year but as the DTV is for 5 years it might at least save one hassle annually but need to read the T&Cs first.

No.

[geisha]

10 hours ago, ricklev said:

Wait until the various immigration offices and borders get their mitts into it as DTV holders attempt to renew the visa or reenter Thailand.  Should be interesting...

This is all a very backward way of thinking from the People who invent these new laws. 
Get in the experts and set up an easy to understand online websites which are correctly translated into a few languages. How can it be so difficult ???
Forget the Embassy’s they are good for nothing. Close them down and save billions. Keep just diplomatic services and help for Thai nationals. 

[Kaopad999]

12 hours ago, ricklev said:

Wait until the various immigration offices and borders get their mitts into it as DTV holders attempt to renew the visa or reenter Thailand.  Should be interesting...

And wait until people start getting denied entry at airports even with their DTV visas. I'm sure the IO officers will find any excuse to give people a hard time. 

[kickstart]

Am I surprised that different countries embassy's want different information, no, as we all know IMO in the country want different information from other IMO.

The Thai word for standard does not seem to exist.

[kingstonkid]

2 hours ago, geisha said:

This is all a very backward way of thinking from the People who invent these new laws. 
Get in the experts and set up an easy to understand online websites which are correctly translated into a few languages. How can it be so difficult ???
Forget the Embassy’s they are good for nothing. Close them down and save billions. Keep just diplomatic services and help for Thai nationals. 

The challenge to everything is that politicians who have no clue (pick a country) come up with sound-good, feel-good things. They have no idea what the outcome of their work is going to be, nor do they care.

 

They just want to click or the big print front page. The fact that it fails is in the middle, where no one reads, so they look good.

 

Just think of all the things that politicians have promised that screwed up

 

In thailand

 

Subsidized MRT BTS  sounds great but then again where does the money to cover the losses and maint on the systems come from.

 

tablet for every student

 

200K tax rebate if you buy a new car

 

Legal Mary Jane

 

10k wallet

 

debt moratorium

 

pay off loan sharks

 

free education to university level

 

10k monthly grant for pregnant women

 

universal healthcare

 

wage in crease

 

thailand to be the HUB of all the HUBS

 

 

[Advocatus Diaboli]

No we fact here …..A Quick Look it is easy to determine NZ prices are in their local currency. 

14 hours ago, webfact said:

and the New Zealand embassy, for reasons unknown, demands the equivalent of 1,000 pounds.

Obviously they did not research the notice on the Thai embassy site in NZ. Or fat fingers on the keyboard with no follow up read through.

[bristolgeoff]

 The costs seem to change  with countries like passport.uk passport in syd close to 

£300  when u do it in thailnd price same uk.Aust passport anywhere expensive alittle cheaper in aust.Why some countries make it so expensive i don,t know.Visa cost  also a mystery on charges

 

 

[George FmplesdaCosteedback]

Yep, same old story just a different day.

As my old motto used to say:

"The one thing you can be certain of in Thailand is inconsistency."

[mokwit]

19 hours ago, Sumiyoshicho said:

Very true , Dec is the 6mth mark and when reality will set in for many. 

mids pls delete - wrong quote.

[mokwit]

23 hours ago, shdmn said:

Also, a lot of DTV holders will not know that they have to do 90 day reporting.  So expect to see lots of stories about that in the coming months.

Unless they extend in country they can be under the radar for the entire 5 years.

[Peterw42]

Most of the misinformation and contradictions are coming from the TIKtok and youtube brigade, The very people who are supposed to be using this visa.

[HuaHinNew]

Nothing new to see here!

 

Thailand has the ability to consistently screw up everything they try to implement.

 

Unfortunately, it's in their DNA, they can't help themselves.

 

Nothing will every change!

 

It reflects on the lack of their inability to think through any proposed initiatives of; why?, strategy, decision-making, requirements, target audience, input, scope, user-impact, evaluation, implementation, financing, prerequisites, time-line, scope-creep, skill-sets, project funding, consistent messaging, alignment, transparency, structures, personal, regulations, respondents, delivery, end-users, investment, advertising, impact, roadblocks, benefits, upside, downside, Gazetting, Government or Private Industry, ROI, feedback, perception, governance, reevaluation, adjustments and desired outcomes 

 

 

[Emdog]

The consensus diplomatic stance seems to be the time honored "Your guess is as good as mine"

[Unclernie]

On 8/24/2024 at 6:56 AM, geisha said:

This is all a very backward way of thinking from the People who invent these new laws. 
Get in the experts and set up an easy to understand online websites which are correctly translated into a few languages. How can it be so difficult ???
Forget the Embassy’s they are good for nothing. Close them down and save billions. Keep just diplomatic services and help for Thai nationals.