Should I cancel my retirement extension before applying for a DTV visa in Laos?

@Bob *********

I pay taxes in Australia, not in Thailand

@Andy ***********

so will you pay taxes??

@Bob *********

bullshit, don't spread lies. If you have the visa you don't have to show anything anymore

@Christopher ********

yes but you can’t do medical treatment or cooking school and expect to enter and exit Thailand for 5 years you’ll need a new itinerary and probably show the 500k

@Andy ***********

I also like the DTV, I already got it, but I still work 3 days a week. I am 64 and could apply for retirement visa, but that seems more difficult because I need to be in Thailand at the moment of extension, and I need to pay embassy each yer for affidavit for my income. DTV is a lot cheaper in 5 years and since I also spend about half my time in Netherlands, this is the best solution for me. It is cheaper than 5 years multi entry visa 180 days and more flexibel. After 5 years when I am retired I might think about your construction.

@Luit ****************

Yes, it suits retirees who travel frequently such as myself. I'm in and out of Thailand like a yo-yo, probably four times a year, so each time I re-enter I get a fresh 180 day stamp, which means I won't have to visit an immigration office for five years. I have a registered "business" - costs about $80 a year in Australia, and I will employ myself to manage my property and sharemarket portfolios. It'll take about 30 mins a week - but there's no stipulation on how much time you have to be "working". My business will pay me a salary to do this, so I'm an employee of my own business. If anyone needs to see property and sharemarket accounts, they're readily available, and my business will provide me with a payslip. Very simple

@Andy ***********

but you have to leave Thailand at least once a year, and also not everybody is digital nomad. Depending on the country you apply for DTV there are requirements to prove you are digital nomad.

@Andy ***********

if you're from a country that has a dual tax agreement with Thailand and you have paid the tax due at home you don't have to pay tax a second time when you send it to Thailand even if you declare it.

@John *********

You're probably the only one in Thailand! 😂😂😂

@Andy ***********

your choice. I prefer to be legal

@John *********

You realise around 50% of retirees in Thailand already pay bribes to immigration officers? That's pretty illegal, but no-one cares. Prostitution and vaping is also illegal in Thailand. No-one cares. There's no way of tracing cash so bring on the investigators! I'll have the coffee and donuts waiting for them! 😂

@Andy ***********

illegal though

@John *********

Cash is not traceable. It's worked for decades. If someone is silly enough to declare it, I guess that's their issue! 😂

@Andy ***********

I'm on a non-o and have no need to show international transfers, and I've never used an agent nor paid a bribe. It makes no difference how you bring income into Thailand, you still need to declare it if you fit the requirements for completing a tax return

@Stephan **********

It's always been that way. No change to the 180-day rule

@Stephan **********

Things are so in flux I don't think anyone get any solid answers except from the embassy themselves, and then unless you're applying shortly after getting that answer, it could change by the time you show up to apply.

@Brandon ***********

Okay... good point. For me not a real problem (800k), but it may be for others, right.

Do you have any insight into the soft power options accepted in Laos or Cambodia? Just by chance...?

@Stephan **********

seems Laos started requiring 6 months of bank statements so Cambodia may be easier. Except they have a 6 day processing time for visas.

@Brandon ***********

Sounds good, thanks. What I see from the posts... Laos seems to be the most "relaxed" place at the moment to get the DTV. So yes, could be the first choice.

@Stephan **********

Yes you could hedge your bet that way. But it would require planning ahead as you cannot purchase a re-entry permit at a land border if you were planning to go to Laos by land.

@Brandon ***********

Um... tourists and re-entry permits...? Why would they...? My question was actually related to the OP, so also to the retirement extension. Sorry... forgot to mention it...