How long is the pending approval period for visas from HCM?

As others have said you should not be liable for tax in Thailand - at the moment. If you do eventually become tax resident then income that you bring in to Thailand will be liable for assessment. However, depending on your age there are tax allowances. For example someone over 65 and married with a spouse that is not working gets a basic personal allowance of 60,000, 60,000 spouse allowance and 190,000 baht over 65 allowance - total 310,000 baht. The first 150,000 of income above that is taxed at 0% in effect bringing your allowances to 460,000. On an income of 40k per month (480,000 p.a.) you would then pay tax at 5% on 20,000 = 1000 baht. There are lots of other potential allowances depending on your circumstances but.............40k per month is what is required to obtain your 12 month extension of stay every year (marriage based). It therefore pays to only bring in what you need to. Savvy folks find other ways of paying for things. In any case, you're a way off that age yet but it pays to know the situation beforehand. In my case I've got my house sorted and bought a decent car etc. etc. prior to making the move. All the major spending is done so I have no need to bring large amounts in per year.

need help in finding a LEGIT company to get my retirement visa .. who did you use for your visa THANKS A MILLION.

You can't open a bank account with a DTV visa.

Alright mate...there's a group called FIFO Thailand, similar situation to you, where miners/quarry workers who do rotations in Australia come to Thailand. Everyone's experience is different, all depends on the officer at the airport, and their discretion. Maybe join that group for a look at what people use. From my experience, getting a DTV will cover you and is a positive

Consider getting a multiple entry visa.

Who told you that you will be refused. It should not be the case. You are only staying for 30 days. You are a tourist at this time. There is no rule of entering only 2 times the year. The issue with the 2 times entry only came up with the 60 days visa exempt entry + 30 days extension. This people came to 180 days and than with another entry into Thailand would be tax residence of Thailand. After this was a rule for a short time 60+30 and 60+7 for a year (not a calendar year). Now it will be refused to 30 days per visa exemption. So actually you could enter Thailand 5 to 6 times in a 365 day period.

To open a bank account would be a bigger challenge for you. But you could transfer the sum of rent and utility’s to you girlfriend bank account. (Of course only when you trust her) this money would be not taxed in Thailand at all.

I used to commute from Phuket to work in Singapore almost every week, maybe 20-30 non-visa entries per year. But that was 30 years ago haha.

I've been 4 times this year. Fly in and out my own country. No border runs. Stay 13 days each time. No problem.

I’m on a 3 and 3 in Australia

Been to Thailand 5 times this year

No problems

Not saying I might get something in the future

You'll be fine. There are a number of people that work , and spend their time off in Thailand, just like you are doing. The ones immigration is concerned with are those trying to stay here long term as tourists, taking the 30 day extension. You are not one of those. You'll be fine to keep doing what you are doing.

Thailand visa issues are why i stay in the the philippines

it’s easy here to stay three years as tourist, leave and come back in a few days and restart the clock

Also a FIFO worker here. Dtv was a visa made for us.

I visit four times a year three weeks at a time, I was there new year, Songkran, coming again mid July and New Year again, always have a return ticket to home country, never been questioned .

Someone should propose an offshore work visa. A lot of people live like this.

Keeping below the 180 days is crucial... you will face a high risk for being refused entry... the IO's screen automatically flags such situations. Far better to get a proper visa as you suggest. Providing you can prove tax paid, then you are not taxed again. I travel in/out similarly and do not try to take the piss. I don't need a long-term visa with my current arrangement, but will do same as soon as I need longer or move permanently. Had a home in Thailand for 10 years now.

Put the rental contract in the Thai gf name if you are going for DTV as it’ll look like you are trying to live here permanently

Just do a Multiple Entry Visa good for 6 months with unlimited entries (as long as you don't stay over 60 days per entry). You don't need to show x amount in your bank, and don't need to spend xk on classes

Ive been 6 times this year albeit short holiday's or transit for 2-3 days changing airlines and a few beers. The most recent 'unconfirmed reports' pending Gazette, is directed at number of entries at land borders (x 2 per year) not at airports.

Sounds like you don't need a visa, won't be able to open a bank account, and don't need to worry about taxes. Who told you you'll be refused entry and why? (unless there is a specific reason you haven't mentioned - they're full of **** - there is no limit on the number of visits if your total number of days is not high)

Do you not have to prove what work you will be doing remotely, for the DTV?

You say, if I read correctly, that you will only be in Thailand on your shore leave, and therefore not working remotely.

Just because you have your own Limited company, I take set up for tax reasons, does not automatically mean you will be granted a DTV

Somewhat related question.what happens if you're refused entry, do you have to hang around at the airport until you find a flight?

On the DTV stuff having a letter from own company was OK for me. Must contain some key elements including your role, when you started title Certificate of Employment.

Evidence of what your remote work is should be included. For me I gave a portfolio and employment history from CV as well as an infographic on the software I was planned to develop while working remotely.

As far as I understand it you can enter and leave as often as you like as long as you have a return ticket to your country of residence. The 2 entry thing is aimed as boarder runs. I have a couple of friends who come and go on tourist visa exempt and they’re not worried. Don’t just take my word for it though, check with a visa lawyer like Siam legal or with Thai immigration.

Only 3 weeks at a time and only been here twice this year. You are probably fine but expect to get pulled aside for questioning at some point and grilled. At that point renting a house will count against you as that points directly to trying to live here.

But your plan is the safe way to go. As Brandon said no bank account but, at least for me, Wise works fine for paying rent etc.

Taxes well, talk to a Thai tax advisor but until you are over 180 days it is a nonissue and even then for most people it is not as big a deal as some want it to be.

Good luck and enjoy life.

I have been 3 times since October 2025. 30 day , 75 day , 30 day on visa exempt with no problems at all. People who say you can’t come more than twice a calendar year are 100% wrong

Who told you that? The last 5 years I have been coming times a year on visa exempt. Never been asked a question, never did an extension tough.

If you are not in Thailand more than 180 days per year you are not tax resident.. So you are not subject to any tax in Thailand irrespective....

Your visa stuff is a little trickery... Given your a offshore guy assume you have a few bob, lying around a 5 year TE visa might he your answer.. You will need to double check but THB 650k gets you 5 years to come and go as you please

Your plan with SETV and DTV is probably fine. But you certainly won't be opening a Thai bank account. Tourists are not eligible for Thai bank accounts, so you will not be eligible. The DTV is classified as a tourist visa.

The tax stuff is a completely different issue, and generally not a concern for most people.