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What are the current challenges with applying for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) due to political changes?

DTV Destination Thailand Visa ED Visa Visa types Political situation in Thailand Expat advice Immigration Visa application process

Oct 30, 2025

2 days ago

Kat *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello community,

thank you so much for replying to my last post.

I got a much better feeling about going for the DTV after your replies.

But now I contacted an agent and received below reply…

What is the current political situation in Thailand? Does it make sense to apply for DTV?

“Hello Kat,

At this time, we no longer offer services for the 5 Year - Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) due to recent political changes and concerns about the program's longevity. Additionally, banks have stopped allowing banking services for DTV holders.

Instead, we recommend our long-term ED visa services, which do not require you to leave the country every six months and allow you to open a bank account. This is a great option for those under 50 years old.”

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The community discussion revolves around the viability of applying for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) given recent political changes in Thailand and the advice of an agent suggesting the ED visa instead. Several commenters express skepticism about the agent's recommendation, citing the potential for the agent to profit more from ED visas. Additionally, there are concerns about the DTV's banking restrictions and the overall experience with the ED visa, which is perceived as more cumbersome. The sentiment is largely in favor of pursuing the DTV despite the agent's warnings.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

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Anonymous ******************

The agent makes more money selling ED visa. 😂

a day ago

James ********

Dump that agent 😔

a day ago

Steve *******

Yeah, that bs ED visa is not a better option in any way. It's not a valid visa as you won't be studying at the University the visa is for, and the agency is just trying to make money off of you, by trying to scare you into it.

Just apply for the DTV yourself or let one of us help you for much less than what an agency would charge.

a day ago

Nick ******

Not sure what agent you contacted, but you should try Issa Compass instead. They allowed hundreds to get their DTV easily, quickly, and for a very affordable fee.

a day ago

Anonymous ******************

Do it yourself. You don't need an agent to help you when all the help you need is here.

a day ago

Henrik *****

DTV has NEVER been eligible for a Thai bankaccount, since it is a tourist visa, and not a proper long term visa for people wanting to live in Thailand.

2 days ago

Christer *****

I'm talking 10-12 years ago when you could open a "condo account" with that specific use.

a day ago

Henrik *****

Outdated, not possible anymore, and no reason to have a bankaccount.

a day ago

Reply to

Henrik *****

Greg ********

@Henrik ****

Sorry but rules changed at banks in 2025 after the DTV was initiated. You could still open bank accounts on tourist visas in 2024.

Andrew *********

Only Bangkok bank ?

Greg ********

There were other individual branches at other banks. For example Krungsri at EmQuatrtier was well known for facilitating account opening on VE and TR. It was individual branches of banks though - pretty sure it was down to the discretion of the manager. Many could not be arsed 🙂

a day ago

Henrik *****

It was a governmental decision to get better control over who has a Thai Bankaccount, in the essens to get better control over money laundering, monkey accounts used for fraud, and other sorts of criminal activity, hence it applies to ALL Thai banks, as a major bank in Thailand, Bangkok bank was amongst the first movers to implement the governmental rules, and therefore they attracted the most attention.

It has now been in action for more than a year, so no need to discuss it further, but you have to acknowledge it as a fact.

a day ago

Reply to

Henrik *****

Christer *****

@Greg *******

I believe the general rule, what was said on the various banks sites, was no accounts on tourist visa. It was just not enforced.

2 days ago

Mr *******************

@Christer ****

it's the opposite. Bangkok Bank used have a page specifically for tourists, explaining why a bank account was useful for people on a tourist visa. Totally that has changed but they used actively advertise it, there was absolutely no policy against it.

a day ago

Greg ********

@Christer ****

Who issued the rule? It was never a "Law". Was it a BoT (Bank of Thailand) rule or guideline - must be a link to it. Was it a rule of individual banks or was it just left to the discretion of individual bank managers?

2 days ago

Christer *****

@Greg *******

I'm sorry. I assumed you knew the meaning of the word "rule" as you used it. 🤷 As you guessed it's not a law.

a day ago

Reply to

Christer *****

Anonymous ******************

The ED is pain in the butt, you have to go every second month (sometimes they give a stamp for 1 month, rarely for 3 which is the maximum time) to the Immigration to extent (and pay 2000 bath every time). I had 14 months ED visa before and had to leave the country after 8 months also to get the continuation (which is second visa basically). I also had problem at BKK airport coming back after these 8 months, the Immigration officer asked many questions in Thai and later took me to the back (interrogation room) for further explanation and some obvious stuff that o rather not to mention. I knew how to say simple stuff as I was actually learning but they required also to WRITE in Thai and all of this after 8 months of language course. You cannot also leave the country without the permit that you need to pay for also during your visa time, but given the circumstances I did not even want to.

With all that said the DTV seems a way better and cheaper option. I just got mine and hope for a better experience this time as I haven't got to use it yet 😅

And still love Thailand even tho Thailand did not love me on my ED visa 🙃

2 days ago

Maksym ***********

Agents can't apply for DTV, and can't do accounts now. So they just don't want to help you with it

2 days ago

Elías ********

That's just BS. The reason? I'm not sure but maybe the DTV isn't as much as profitable for the agent. Good news is you don't need an agent to get one.

2 days ago

Andrew *********

@Elías *******

They can make the same profit on it and charge what they want.

a day ago

Elías ********

@Andrew ********

if you know how ED visas work, you'll know they'll be doing more profit on it, as you'll need to visit Immigration once every few months. On a DTV, you might not even need to visit Immigration once in the whole 5 and half years, so it's a "loss" for the agents.

a day ago

Reply to

Elías ********

Toni *******

@Elías *******

yea why would an agent care about banking anyway?

2 days ago

Reply to

Toni *******

Greg ********

Sounds to me the agency is trying to maximise income by offering the ED rather than the DTV. This type of marketing is called FUD (Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt). The new government will not be making any changes in the 4 months they have before a General Election next year. There has been nothing said by anyone as far as I can see regarding the DTV by any political party. It is not exactly an everyday concern to the electorate. Apply for your DTV and good luck. Edit: the ED is recurring revenue for the agent. The DTV is a one off payment for them.

2 days ago

Reply to

Greg ********

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