What are the benefits and pitfalls of the DTV visa for expats in Thailand?

@Benjamin ********

There is no major issue with entry, so do not worry about it. There are instances of questionable behaviour by IOs but your experience of entry matches mine and 99.5% of DTVERS.

@Benjamin ********

there have been horror stories in these groups and elsewhere for being targeted to pay tax, asking to see money specifically on a Thai Bank acct for renewal knowing full well it's impossible but they have discretion to do this for anyone they just don't like etc etc

@Andi **********

no the APEC /smart visa line is as much for the immigration officers as it is for us. It also denotes "don't fuck with them, they are not regular tourists, these are guys we want to court and keep happy"

@Brian ********

Yes it is and amazing value too for a multiple entry visa.

@Brian ********

no malice meant, hope you get sorted 👍

@Brian ********

I can totally see where you’re coming from ..I had actually started the non 0 process when I got wind of a genuine DTV so yes the 5 year is appealing as such l.but with the online talk about some peoole having difficulties innthe sense of getting asked more questions after 6 months be it innthe country or getting back in ,I just decided to stick with the non 0 for meantime ..I will see how the DTV is in a year and might change to that ,as 5 years is certainly more appealing than 1 and of course not having to have the 0 stuck in a Thai bank doing nothing ..good luck

@Brian ********

I wouldn’t count on getting a Bank Account opened for you on DTV.

Mate of mine a few months back got his DTV and paid an agent to get it all sorted and a bank account opened.

Within 6 weeks his newly opened Bank account was frozen by the bank with 250,000 Thb in it.

He had to go into the Branch it was opened at and showed his Visa and given the opportunity to close it. DTV does not fit the criteria for Thai Bank account, many agents were able to grease the wheels to open accounts last year and early this year on the DTV front but that has been cracked down on now by Authorities.

@Brian ********

you can get a bank account set up ? Who told you that? And will they keep it open once they find out you don’t have the right visa ?

@Ting *************

fair point. Greta already has 17 friends. Doubt it knows any of them

@Ting *************

Right. Your name is Ting Tong and I AM the moron, you monkey! 🐒