What are the best visa options for a 6-month stay in Thailand as an EU passport holder?

Hello everyone!

I’m Franklin, 22 years old and planning on moving to ko samui for at least 5-6 months this November. I wanted to get some insight from people who have done this and would be so kind as provide some insight on how I could do this as well.

I have pretty much everything sorted out, just need to get clear on Visas as it is currently hard to understand what my best option is.

I’m an EU passport holder, I heard that I can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days without a visa and then extend my stay 30 days at the immigration office in Thailand, first of all is this correct? For now this seems like a good option.

However, it only covers me for 3 months, if I wanted to say travel down to the Philippines or Malaysia after the additional 30 days expires for maybe 2 weeks and then come back, would that allow me to stay another 60 days and would I be able to extend it again for 30?

I also looked into the DTV visa, this one seems doable except I don’t currently have 15,000eur liquid. Would I be able to use a family members bank statement or does it have to be my own?

Again, any recommendations and any advice would be much appreciated. If you’re in Ko Samui this November would happily buy you a beer 🙂

Cheers,