“Quick question for the groupExperts

: With all the recent DTV updates and reports about entry issues into Thailand, I’m a DTV visa holder travelling in February for 10 days. Is it possible to skip the DTV process and just enter on a normal tourist visa to avoid any complications?”

Hey everybody, I don’t normally overshare but I definitely overthink! I’ve seen some very helpful responses within this group so I’m hoping that I get some solid advice. I’m a 54 year old Australian man who recently lost my job after going through a midlife crisis or mental breakdown & now a few health issues that are seemingly stress related!…. I’m currently receiving the help & medical so now looking for a recovery method plan.

On the 14/11/25 I sold an investment & I put the equivalent of $1.7 million baht into a interest savings account & plan to apply for the DTV visa on the 14/1/25 to fill the required 3 months without touching those funds.

I plan to utilise the soft power option & use a reputable Thai cooking class for 6 months! Due to my inexperience, I thought it best to apply from Australia but use an agent in conjunction with the Thai cooking class.

I will use seperate savings to fund the DVT, purchase flights accommodation etc. & have the equivalent value in cash on me of $150000 Thai baht on arrival. While I’ve travelled a lot to SE Asia over, Thailand in particular, I’ve only ever travelled as a tourist, never done border runs. My passport would be close to being within 6 months of expiry so I’ve purchased & received a new passport less than a month ago!

My questions are will the Embassy consider this application due to the fact that I’m currently unemployed?

The funds or time limit?

I was planning to purchase flights now for mid to late February? Can I book 1 way? Should I book return flights? Am I jumping the gun?

I know a lot hinges on my visa application but I really would like to get the ball rolling with confidence

TIA everyone

I appreciate any advice 🙏

If we have the DTV visa, do we need proof of onward travel?

Approved in Hanoi (soft power)

Posting this on behalf of a friend who doesn't have Facebook but who used this group to help with the DTV application.

Privileged western passport, applied for more than the normal 6 months of Muay Thai training, and was approved after 1 calendar week.

6 months of bank statements provided despite 3 months being requested, with the opening and closing balances always being far in excess of the required ฿500,000 minimum.

Photo of me outside the hotel in Hanoi showing boarding pass, hotel room keycard and the passport biodata page. Also submitted the hotel invoice billed in VND with the hotel parent company's official stamp and address on it.

Cover letter stated how the applicant can support themselves using the substantial bank balance and mentioned a genuine desire to train Muay Thai long-term over 5 years.

The Muay Thai gym provided all necessary paperwork which was then aggregated and compressed using iLovePDF.com. This included the payment receipt for the full course. I had no back and forth with the gym at all - the paperwork they provided included everything that was needed.

No additional documents were requested nor questions asked. Stamped straight in at DMK no issues whatsoever.

Overall a clean and smooth experience. A huge thank you to this group from where I acquired a lot of the information to put together a comprehensive and complete application.

Can anybody assist with further information?

I am an Australian passport holder and I’ve just been approved for a multi entry ;Tourist Visa.

I am under the impression this will allow me to stay for 60 days only, however it says it is valid for six months.

Does this mean I will get an additional 60 days if I leave the country and return?

Or does it mean I can stay in the country for the duration of the valid dates in the Visa?

Not really sure about this, and no information available either on the website or on the Visa approval itself .

Thank you in advance for any practical insights you may be able to share 🙏

Hanoi - Soft power

When submitting my application under soft power in my financial cover letter i just stated that im currently completing an online english course which will help me support myself a little bit while training, as ive seen loads of people say on here they ask how you will support yourself. Will this be a problem? Can you work online while under soft power?

How are you guys able to get your documents under 3 MB. They asked me for pcitures of every page in the passport book, hotel booking receipts, flight receipts, etc. I merged it all into one pdf file that wight around 35mb. I then compressed it to maximum 4 MB.

Im heading over for my 2nd visit. I never had to show i was financial for a 2 week visit before, has this changed and do l now need to show l have funds.

Hi. I put in my DTAC departure date for 20 december 25. But i would like to stay more (but less than the months of european visa). Is it possible ? I am already in Thailand. THX

I'm trying to create a timeline for my retirement in Thailand. I will be applying for a Non O 90 day visa. I live in the USA now, about how long does it take to be approved on the average? Just an approximate, I know all applications can take different times. Next, after approval, how long is it valid before I actually go to Thailand. My reason is I am in the process of selling all my stuff and then I need to sell my condo. I don't want to be approved so far in advance that it expires before I can leave. Thanks.