Re: [103all] Visas for IETF 103 in Thailand

[John C Klensin <[e-mail]>]

--On Thursday, August 16, 2018 09:58 -0500 Adam Roach
<[e-mail]> wrote:

> When the IAOC said "conflicting information," they really did
> mean it. The Thai Embassy in Canada rather unambiguously
> claims that you need a non-tourist business visa to "attend
> business conferences":
> 
> http://www.thaiembassy.ca/en/visiting-thailand/visas/types-vis
> as-periods-stay-fees/non-immigrant-visa

FWIW (and please see disclamer below), I've been in and out of
Thailand perhaps a dozen times since the first half of the 1980s
always in conjunction with something that could be described as
a "business conference" or "professional or scientific meeting".
The answers we have gotten  as to whether a non-tourist visa is
needed have changed many times.  I don't have any idea whether
those changes are actual changes in the regulations, exactly
what question was asked and how, the weather in Bangkok or at
some embassy location on a particular day, or something else.  

I have also gotten one piece of consistent advice from a visa
agency in these matters.  It is that, if one really wants to get
into the country for a particular meeting that starts at a
particular time, apply for and get the relevant business visa.
If one gets to the border and it is judged unnecessary, the
worst problem is having spent the extra time and money to get
the visa and maybe to apologize for the choice of category.   On
the other hand, if one decides to enter on a tourist visa and
that turns out to be the wrong choice, one either gets sent home
or spends a lot of time filling out forms and/or being hassled
at the airport.

There is nothing unique about Thailand in that regard other than
the IETF has not been there.

Disclaimer:  I am not a visa specialist, not a lawyer, and have
no affiliation that would allow me to speak for the Thai
government or any of its representatives.  The above is a
comment about my experience, not advice, and, if it were advice,
it would be worth what you just paid for it or a bit less.

   best,
    john