reader Posted November 18 Posted November 18 From Pattaya Mail On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, the Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) had two speakers on diverse topics. Barry Kenyon spoke about various Thai immigration matters followed by Amy Falken’s motivational talk on embracing success with the fq3C system. Barry provided valuable insights into the complexities of Thai visas, the government’s focus on tourism, and the latest trends in visa applications. The talk was informative and provided the attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the current state of Thai immigration matters. Barry began by describing the complexity of Thai visas, referring to them as “alphabet soup,” and explained the various visa types and their requirements. He highlighted the Thai government’s keen interest in encouraging long-term tourism to boost the national treasury, now offering 60-day visa exemptions to tourists from many countries. One of the significant trends Barry discussed was the shift to online visa applications. He mentioned that embassies are increasingly preferring digital submissions over in-person visits. Additionally, Barry talked about the upcoming electronic travel authorization, which will require tourists to apply online before arriving in Thailand. Barry also touched on the involvement of multiple government agencies in visa authorization, including the Ministry of Tourism and the Board of Investment. He provided detailed information on various retirement visas, such as OA, O, OX, and LTR visas, each with specific requirements and benefits. A fairly new visa, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), aimed at digital nomads and remote workers, was also discussed. Barry noted that the DTV is not a substitute for retirement visas. Lastly, Barry briefly mentioned the personal income tax implications for individuals spending over 180 days in Thailand, which may or may not subject them to Thai personal income tax. Continues at https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/barry-kenyon-shares-visa-insights-amy-falken-shares-success-tips-at-pattaya-city-expats-club-480334 BL8gPt 1 Quote