✨ Question about the Soft Power DTV Visa (Thailand) ✨ — especially the courses that actually qualify.

I’ve seen that things like Muay Thai, Thai cooking, cultural training and even wellness or fitness courses are included, but I can’t seem to find an official list anywhere.

Also, I’m a bit confused about the medical route. I need some dental work done soon — but would that actually make me eligible for a 5-year DTV visa, even if the treatment only lasts around 6 weeks?

Ideally, I’d love to just do a yoga or fitness-related course, but I’m open to whatever works best for the visa requirements.

If anyone has gone through this process or knows a school / course that’s been accepted under the Soft Power DTV, please share! 🙏

Would really appreciate any tips, links, or firsthand experiences.

Good morning Thailand. I don't make many posts in this group but as the banking thing is a hot topic at the moment, I'm relaying my experience yesterday at Kasikorn.

To give you some background I've been retired in Thailand for eight years. Opened bank account with Kasikorn at that time on non-O visa, no problem. Thought I'd be smart a year ago and switched to DTV as it seemed a better option for me - I travel a bit, so the regular outs and ins mean I'm always getting a fresh 180 days, plus there's no financial requirements.

My debit card expired last week so I went to my bank branch yesterday to get a new card - no problem EXCEPT I've been put on notice that Kasikorn does not recognise the DTV. They told me my account will be closed in six months unless I switch back to a non-immigrant visa. The manager told me that Kasikorn will not freeze accounts, but will gradually inform customers of the new requirement and will give adequate notice for customers to reassess their situation.

I will today contact the embassy where I obtained the DTV to see if I can now cancel the DTV and apply for a non-O. It's a real pain, but I need the convenience of a Thai bank account. I would imagine a lot of DTV holders don't have the need for a Thai bank account (that pay crap interest anyway) so they will be unaffected.

Whether Kasikorn goes through with their ultimatum I imagine remains to be seen, but I won't take the chance, and they have all least been considerate enough to let me know.

Thanks all - have a great day wherever you are!

Hi, everyone.

Has anyone applied to the Ho Chi Minh Embassy on Monday, September 29th, and received approval?

My status changed to Pending Approval on Tuesday (September 30th) without any request, but it has remained that way until today.

If anyone applied and was approved on September 29th, please share your story. Thank you in advance.

Hey guys. I want to open a Thai bank account. Can anyone give me advice on what bank to choose. And I also seen something in here about them shutting down accounts is that true if so how do I avoid that happening ? Any help would be greatly appreciated !!

Approved! Very fast and easy. Applied on Monday the 6th Oct and received this morning the 9th Oct 2025.. applied in Melbourne and submitted to Thai Embassy Canberra. Booked fly to Thailand this Saturday the 11th.. woohuuu

I applied for DTV online as a Retiree before entering Thailand. It was my first time applying for a visa. Was I supposed to apply for a eVisa or Non O visa since it was my first time?

A huge debt of gratitude for all the help this group provided during our LTR visa journey which culminated today in the grant for me and my wife.

Hi I am trying to find out what actual documents I need for my Non O Thai Marriage Visa, I am getting told different things from Immigration in Buriram, Foreign Affairs in Bangkok, Thai Embassy in London, etc etc, told by one of them that I need British marriage certificate translated and Passport both stamped by British Embassy, but they said that they did not do that. Another said I had to take them both back to the UK and get them both legalized. Bangkok Foreign Affairs insists that the Embassy in Bangkok does do it, Another one said I have to take my UK marriage certificate back to the UK and get the Thai embassy to certify it after it has been translated. Amphur office says I have to get my Passport translated and then certified at the British embassy? I think I am starting to go loopy

Is my yellow housebook a proper substitute for a certificate of residence for opening an account with K bank or do I need to get the CofR from immigration beforehand?

Hi everyone. I have 3 options with my bank accounts. A savings account, a value checking account, & a consumer interest checking account. The savings has hardly any history so it would just be the 500k over last 3 months once I apply, the value checking has some history but not nearly as much as consumer interest checking which shows several very large transactions, however it is interest bearing. Which one is ideal?