I have checked on the Immigrations Web Site and if you have a company in Thailand, you sold some equipments produced by your company in your country to Thailand, when your technicians have to come to check the machine or starting up, commissioning and so on, the Thai branch of the company needs to produce some documents to resent at the immigration in order to let the technician have a Non-Imm. B VISA ... only thing is that the technician will have to submit his bank statement (and an European citizen won't do it for sure, since it a is a violation of his privacy) and I'm pretty sure the system to request this temporary Non-Imm Visas will be a nightmare to use.

Anyway, some infos are here:

https://www.thaievisa.go.th/visa/business-investor-visa

2 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Well I think it’s true that immigration is in the motive business to the extent that an individuals reason for visiting Thailand should match their visa type, or reason for visa free entry.

I guess people will either say the reason for their visit is tourism, or they will get the required visa for business entry coupled with a work permit if so required.

Most business travel is scheduled in advance, I guess there may be instances where the loss of the urgent business category may cause some issues.

What I am pointing at here is "What problem are we solving" or, in reality, "what problem are we creating?" One could easily argue that of the two types, Business "Visitors" are much more likely to spend money on hotels, restaurants, larger ticket items like phones and computers, and have a powerful built in disincentive to be unruly or cause problems. Backpacking children with empty pockets verses wealthy international business people ... are we REALLY struggling to see the value here???

4 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

It's still too new to know probably but we wouldn't have access to that information unless immigration is keeping it and makes it public.

Maybe the home country change is going to fix the potential fraud problems because they can verify the paperwork more easily since they read the native language and there aren't corrupt agents firing paperwork.

Up to now though I see people getting those because have a some online business selling T-shirts or something silly like that. Now those people get in theory unlimited visa runs to live in thailand for 5 years and try to make extra money on the side if their online business doesn't make enough money.

It's just an obvious vector for illegal working and that doesn't even get into the soft power category which is truly crazy they ever allowed for 5 years in the first place.

Good points, well made. I can see where some may need a "side hustle" to keep the doors open so to speak. However, the new rules only make the DTV application a bit more of a chore. Once they get it, there's still nothing to stop them discretely working illegally on the side. Maybe they need to implement an annual "review", same as retirees and married folks do?

1 hour ago, wensiensheng said:

They no doubt will do that and in reality, I suspect that 99.9% of the time it will be fine for single visits.

For those business people who make regular visits, to see clients or see suppliers, they might be subject to questioning as to why they are such regular “tourists”.

A high profile convention gathering might attract significantly more attention if immigration decided to target the event itself, rather than individuals as they arrive. I see little possibility of immigration doing that.

Overall I suspect that there will be clarification that conferences, seminars and the like are ok for tourism. or at the very least, a blind eye will be turned.

The trouble is, whilst small enterprises might be happy to tell its employees to enter tourism as the purpose of their visit, multi national companies with shareholders and HR departments might not be willing to operate in grey areas.

In my understanding multi national compagnies etc send their people over on work contracts , not on holiday I live and have worked in Cannes where we are the world leaders for conventions. In May was the Data Base compagnies and the were hundreds of flights full of them descending on Cannes , hotels etc all fully booked, not a seat left. In a restaurant all our 5 * place hotels booked as far as Monaco and Menton. Amazing. Same as the Cannes Film Festival, Boat shows etc etc. médical, music awards, gaming . These are working people who bring in tons of money, an fame. Start treating them like second grade and complicated entry issues and next time they’ll be off to California, New York, Singapore etc.

As for tourism, Thais have brought this on themselves as they don’t have the competence , experience or understanding on how to be « international « .The new rules are there , and let’s see the chaos around the Thai Embassies world wide if they actually have to do a job they are not trained for. Paris also announcing for a plain old tourist Visa 60 days, waiting time for processing is 4 weeks. Why can other countries succeed in one day or a few ? A first time for me .

52 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Why does Thailand keep encouraging potential visitors to go elsewhere? First those who are in a position to stay long-term and spend money, and now they're trying to kill off the highly lucrative conference market and making it a hassle for any other business people to come. There has long been a mindset among Thais that it is the best country in the world and that people will come no matter what. They won't. Meanwhile, I'm sure that neighbouring countries are appreciative of suicidal Thai policy.

To be fair, Vietnam is somewhat similar to Thailands new rules, at least for Americans and quite a number of EU countries.

Malaysia is far more free and easy and basically no particular visa is required to attend a conference, over and above what would be required for tourism.

So I guess it can be said that Thailand is moving toward the more restrictive Vietnamese model.

It probably wouldn’t be my choice of direction, but then again I don’t know the circumstances that prompted this latest move by Thailand.

2 minutes ago, geisha said:

In my understanding multi national compagnies etc send their people over on work contracts , not on holiday I live and have worked in Cannes where we are the world leaders for conventions. In May was the Data Base compagnies and the were hundreds of flights full of them descending on Cannes , hotels etc all fully booked, not a seat left. In a restaurant all our 5 * place hotels booked as far as Monaco and Menton. Amazing. Same as the Cannes Film Festival, Boat shows etc etc. médical, music awards, gaming . These are working people who bring in tons of money, an fame. Start treating them like second grade and complicated entry issues and next time they’ll be off to California, New York, Singapore etc.

As for tourism, Thais have brought this on themselves as they don’t have the competence , experience or understanding on how to be « international « .The new rules are there , and let’s see the chaos around the Thai Embassies world wide if they actually have to do a job they are not trained for. Paris also announcing for a plain old tourist Visa 60 days, waiting time for processing is 4 weeks. Why can other countries succeed in one day or a few ? A first time for me .

It’s likely to be added hassle and of course expense, either for the company or the individual, depending on whether it’s a company specific event or an event that’s open to the public.

Whether it’s enough for a sponsoring entity to choose a different location or not, I don’t know. Or whether it would cause an individual to not attend an event.

I guess one thing is for sure, it’s not a positive factor. So in terms of attracting conferences etc, it wouldn’t be a move that is on TAT’s wish list.

1 hour ago, wensiensheng said:

50 minutes ago, impulse said:

I don't recall ever working for a company that would send one of us on an assignment or to a convention where we didn't have the legally required visa. I'm sure that happens all the time, but not by a reputable company. The kind that Thailand wants to attract.

On 8/22/2026 at 8:10 AM, Liverpool Lou said:

I suspect that you are mistaken when you assume that Pattaya s economy depends on illegal nominee businesses

They no doubt will do that and in reality, I suspect that 99.9% of the time it will be fine for single visits.

For those business people who make regular visits, to see clients or see suppliers, they might be subject to questioning as to why they are such regular “tourists”.

A high profile convention gathering might attract significantly more attention if immigration decided to target the event itself, rather than individuals as they arrive. I see little possibility of immigration doing that.

Overall I suspect that there will be clarification that conferences, seminars and the like are ok for tourism. or at the very least, a blind eye will be turned.

The trouble is, whilst small enterprises might be happy to tell its employees to enter tourism as the purpose of their visit, multi national companies with shareholders and HR departments might not be willing to operate in grey areas.

In my understanding multi national compagnies etc send their people over on work contracts , not on holiday I live and have worked in Cannes where we are the world leaders for conventions. In May was the Data Base compagnies and the were hundreds of flights full of them descending on Cannes , hotels etc all fully booked, not a seat left. In a restaurant all our 5 * place hotels booked as far as Monaco and Menton. Amazing. Same as the Cannes Film Festival, Boat shows etc etc. médical, music awards, gaming . These are working people who bring in tons of money, an fame. Start treating them like second grade and complicated entry issues and next time they’ll be off to California, New York, Singapore etc.

As for tourism, Thais have brought this on themselves as they don’t have the competence , experience or understanding on how to be « international « .The new rules are there , and let’s see the chaos around the Thai Embassies world wide if they actually have to do a job they are not trained for. Paris also announcing for a plain old tourist Visa 60 days, waiting time for processing is 4 weeks. Why can other countries succeed in one day or a few ? A first time for me .

2 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

I await to read the precise details and observe their implementation.

Certainly, the details presented above, if strictly implemented, are going to negatively impact (international) conference events in Thailand and international researchers visiting Thailand for short-term research trips.

I have been to plenty of conferences in many places before but they have never gone on for a month .2 weeks maximum., but more often 1 week.

Back on topic: the 30-day visa exemptions have always been for tourism only, same as there's always been a visa for business trips, meetings, conventions and the like. Nothing has changed. They are just restating that attending business trips, meetings, conventions and the like is not tourism.

The eVisa system supports an application for a Non-O visa for business trips, meetings, conventions and the like. It's not rocket surgery.

As for short visits for urgent technical support, my work in the offshore energy sector here has always had a reasonably fast route for a 14-day "emergency" visa. If that is incorporated in the online eVisa system, it should be even faster. A couple of work permits for my Thailand contracts about 25 years ago were "fast tracked" via documentary support from the Department of Mineral Fuels.

Last year, a contractor's vessel working for PTTEP had ongoing issues with the diesel-electric propulsion and a visa was acquired for the German manufacturer's field service engineer to join the vessel for support through end of the project. I believe the application process took about a "working week".

7 minutes ago, wavodavo said:

I have been to plenty of conferences in many places before but they have never gone on for a month .2 weeks maximum., but more often 1 week.

But most conferences are booked and arranged by the head quarters that get the permission/ visas etc. Not the individual who decides to go. People in this industry fight to be present but legally/ insurance covered etc. It’s classed as work, not vacation.

3 hours ago, J Branche said:

Great we want to attract Foreign Investment, Next Week, we are restricting VOA to Tourism only.

Do they just spin a wheel and choose what to mess up next?

These politicians and government workers need to earn their pay, so they just do stuff without thinking it through... they can change it again next month when the penny drops LOL

Just turn up stinking of beer wearing a football shirt and flip flops, 30 days guaranteed.,

47 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

Good points, well made. I can see where some may need a "side hustle" to keep the doors open so to speak. However, the new rules only make the DTV application a bit more of a chore. Once they get it, there's still nothing to stop them discretely working illegally on the side. Maybe they need to implement an annual "review", same as retirees and married folks do?

I don't know how prevalent it is, but there have been anecdotes about DTV holders being denied entry because they no longer met the requirements after they left as required every 180 days during the 5 year visa.

The details are sparse, but I think it's people who no longer attend that Muay Thai school or Thai cooking class. I'm considering a DTV based on medical tourism, and I'd expect them to ask for hospital receipts from the last 180 days before they'd let me back in. That seems a reasonable ask. But it's still pretty early days in the program.

1 hour ago, NanLaew said:

And yet, after all these egregious slights and xenophobic insults, you are still here, whining about it.

Not whining. Just pointing out what Thai PMs have said which suggests that they are the ones you should take issue with, not the messenger. Sorry if that offends you.

2 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Presumably Immigration looking at the ticket booking would be fairly obvious (who paid?).

Or if you arrived in business class wearing a jacket and tie.

Hotels with booked corporate events could easily be raided and all attendees VISAs checked.

I don’t think who paid for the ticket is stated on the ticket itself though. Certainly not in a passport and boarding card which are the two documents I submit to an IO.

Maybe a suit and tie could raise an eyebrow. Then again, a tie is easily removed. And often when I travelled on business, my flight clothes wouldnt be a suit if I arrived the evening before meetings the next day.

If they really want to make a big deal of this, then your final point would be the way to go about it. Raid conventions and ask to see visas in passports. Heck, they could even cross reference attendees names with visas issued, if they had the technology.

But I really can’t see them doing that. It would imply that they see the issue as a big one that requires a very public example being made.

I can’t help but think that this is aimed at a small segment where foreigners fly in and out to review how their Villa development is going, or how their hotel business is being run. Unfortunately, the law of unintended consequences means a lot of other business gets scooped up.

Might be wrong. But targeting business people is kind of out of the blue AFAIK, whereas the nominee shareholders thing and everything attached to it, is very much the band wagon of the moment.

2 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

I don’t think who paid for the ticket is stated on the ticket itself though. Certainly not in a passport and boarding card which are the two documents I submit to an IO.

Ticket booking will show payment dfetails.

Basic English comprehension, Ticket is not the same as Ticket booking.

If this is going to cause real problems I would imagine the various Chambers of Commerce would raise concerns.

Perhaps make available, for specified nationalities, a 15-day MICE/business meetings visa on arrival that can't be extended.

4 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

I suppose it’s possible that there is some kind of grey area as to whether any of them are doing business in Thailand and need a work permit. Struggling a bit to see how that might apply to 99% of the business travel that I can think of.

Unfortunately, Thai authorities tend to be very good at ignoring the 99% in their zeal to punish the 1% 😕

2 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

Well I think it’s true that immigration is in the motive business to the extent that an individuals reason for visiting Thailand should match their visa type, or reason for visa free entry.

That's fine, except that countries with visa free entry policies tend to allow both tourist and business visits, as long as the business visits are brief and don't involve "work" (which admittedly can sometimes be difficult to define). Thailand is of course free to set whatever visa policy it wants, but doing things this way would seem to put it at a disadvantage compared to neighbors who allow business to be conducted on their short visit passes.

These guys are experts at tanking their own economy.

2 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Not whining. Just pointing out what Thai PMs have said which suggests that they are the ones you should take issue with, not the messenger. Sorry if that offends you.

I don't give a hoot what a former or current Thai PM says about foreigners. It's the whining of the "messenger" that's all a bit tedious.

55 minutes ago, khunjeff said:

Unfortunately, Thai authorities tend to be very good at ignoring the 99% in their zeal to punish the 1% 😕

That's fine, except that countries with visa free entry policies tend to allow both tourist and business visits, as long as the business visits are brief and don't involve "work" (which admittedly can sometimes be difficult to define). Thailand is of course free to set whatever visa policy it wants, but doing things this way would seem to put it at a disadvantage compared to neighbors who allow business to be conducted on their short visit passes.

It’s a reduction in competitiveness for sure.

Vietnam is pretty similar to the new rules, so it’s more a case of losing an advantage, rather than gaining a disadvantage.

But Malaysia is pretty relaxed about these things, so Thailand has added a disadvantage in comparison to their southern neighbor.

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Ticket booking will show payment dfetails.

Basic English comprehension, Ticket is not the same as Ticket booking.

Hmm, I’d have to look, but tbh I usually have an e ticket. It certainly usually shows the price, but I don’t think it shows who paid and from what account. Might be wrong.

But usually the IO wants a passport and boarding card anyway, not a ticket. I guess a receipt showing personal payment rather than corporate might be a factor in the traveler's favour. But if an IO is into that level of detail, he may have basically made up his mind already or be close to it.

I believe this is stupid and strange step of Thailand. Reducing it to 7 days would have been a better alternative. Thailand benefits from businesses with other countries. So if you want to have them do business with you make it easy for them. Most appointments are only for one or 2 days. So 7 days should be enough. I am beginning te think that Thailand has a more and more a aversion to everything related to foreigners. Stop crapping up your own income.

9 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Important clarification.

You can imagine someone coming here for a meeting or to perform some engineering function that might need a week's visit. How easy would it be to get a visa to do that? If it was some urgent repair would it cause delay?

No problem. Just quit the production line. And as for every unemployed Thai 5 jobs are waiting for that person, who cares ?

See it as a development aid for Vietnam !

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