What are the challenges of applying for a DTV visa in Savannakhet and what alternative visa options are available?

It was good news and fair news in Savannakhet applying for a soft dtv visa today.

My marriage visa from there 15 months ago expired just in time to get a new dtv visa. Lucky me.

So I booked a medical appointment for a general medical evaluation at a Thai hospital in September. Then I downloaded balance sheets from my brokerage firm in the US well in excess of the minimum required.

It all went great until I got to the window.

The grilling about the financials was intense and I had to return in early afternoon with my tablet and two months of brokerage print outs.

They finally were convinced I was ok and asked if I wanted 3 months or one year like previously.

I was most confused and so were they.

They thought I wanted to renew the old marriage visa. I wanted the five year dtv for medical treatment.

They then deemed my medical appointment inadequate since it mentioned no specific condition. I pleaded that I was yet to learn of my infirmities until the medical exam.

Nope, no good, so if you go that medical route have a pre existing condition.

No dtv for me!

BUT they did sell me a new 12 month multi entry marriage visa for 5,000 baht ,no questions asked, on the basis of my brokerage statements.

No marriage certificate or money in a Thai bank.

So I didn't get what I wanted but still walk away with a year visa. Just 90 day reentries instead of 180.

It could be worse.