Does the DTV visa allow a stay in Thailand for 6 months at a time or just 6 months per year?

No, Banks are very reluctant to open accounts for tourists (DTV is considered asa tourist visa ), they want customers to have a permanent adress for at least 3 months, and be on a long term visa.

Reconsider if a Thai bankaccount is need-to-have or nice-to-have.

Banks in Thailand are like everywhere in the world, interested in having good stable custormers, that have a permanent address, a steady easy traceable income, and use the account all year round.

That is why the banks are reluctant to give accounts to people on short time ( read: tourist ) visas, and who only spend part of the year in Thailand.

Don’t expect to get a residence certificat, until you have stayed at a permanent adress in at least 3 month, since that is what the residence certificat should confirm.

Furthermore the added attention on whitewashing of money, is an added burden on the banks, so reluctant depositing large amounts isn’t a guaranteed way to open an account.

The value of a resident certificat, had gone down, since Immigration Officers are giving them to people that are not on a longterm visa, or have stayed severel months at 1 adress in Thailand, so even if it is a formal requirement, the bank make up their own assesment of the stability of the want-to-be customer.

9-thailand-to-implement-stringent-compliance-regulations-for-new-bank-accounts?

@Preston *********

Technically you can get a bank account and drivers license with any entry into the Country. The visa you hold isn't the determining factor

After 180 days + 180 days extension, just travel out of Thailand og in again, then you can do another 180 + 180.

PS. visa is always counted in days, not months.

@Tony *********

They are buy design made for long term stays. I expect the 180 days is simply the tax threshold. The fact they can be extended by a further 180 days is evidence of the Thai government's intention for these visas.

I know a fair few on retirement visas who are switching to the dtv for obvious reasons,, much longer and cheaper with the added bonus of not needing to commit financially to a Thai bank.

My wife and I both have dtv visas and if there is any question mark over them, it's possibly that they are slightly too easy to get, as far as status goes. I mean maybe there should be a minimum earnings capacity on them. But in reality, anybody earning normal western wages/salary will be able to live anywhere in Thailand very comfortably and most of those with a decent western salary will easily dwarf any retirees in spending power.

Honestly, the only changes I can see the government possibly making is raising the earnings/salary bar or assets level.

@Tony *********

They don't care... All they care is for you to rent an apartment... There are $60 billion parked in empty real estates ruining the Thai economy

@Tony *********

it was specifically designed for long term stays... 🫣 for a 5 year stay, exactly

@Tony *********

that's what the Thai government want. You think they are stupid they want these types of people in the country. They spend money not like some retired person counting their pennies.Dont be so cynical your here so chill let's others come also

@Graham *****

apparently you can extend for another 180 days but has to leave and come back after ther seconds term

@Garrett **********

360d