What are the drawbacks of a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) compared to a Retirement Visa in Thailand?

For the one that still works (remote) and still has things to fix in the home country, DTV is good.

wow I hate dtv rrs..they all talk like they are international players but living in a 3rd world country on $2500usd a minth..cant wait for them all to fxxk offf

One thing no one has mentioned as a POSSIBLE negative with the DTV: What happens after your 5 yrs on the DTV are up and you would like to continue staying in Thailand for extended periods of time? If the DTV is still around, can you get another one? Especially if you received your original under soft power. The retirement visa scheme is well-established and minus some possible eligibility changes (increased $$ requirements for new applicants) it more than likely won't be going anywhere. I'm not predicting it, but I can imagine the DTV with all of its vagueries and not being created by Thai immigration being sunset at some point in the future. I hope not. My hope is that they get a better handle on the qualification process (too many ifs, ands, & buts between the different consulates) and figure out a way for people on the DTV to have some sort of banking privileges. Maybe some sort of limited banking accounting that help discourage mule accounts being setup by scammers. Things such low maximum balances, and make the number of monthly transactions low so that it makes it unattractive to criminals because they can't effectively move large amounts of cash, but allows real DTVers to pay their monthly bills, etc.

After writing all, I realized that since you apparently are old enough to consider the retirement visa yiu could simply switch over. Only thing is, as I mentioned, they might increase the financial requirements at anytime for new applicants. 😃

With DTV no annual renewal which is a major plus if you aren't certain to be in Thailand at the time of renewal. Also, no requirement for 800,000 THB tied up in a Thai bank account (or monthly deposits necessary).

Either way, rules can and probably will change at any point in the future.

You are a long-term resident vs you are a tourist allowed to stay longer. Non immigrant visas are better in every case, except the ease of getting the DTV.

A DTV is a tourist visa, a so called retirement visa is a non-immigrant visa. The 2 are quite different. The DTV you have to leave every 180 days, retirement you never have to leave. DTV can only get a 2 year driving licence, retirement visa 5 years. And so on

The bank thing is a pain, but still doable.

Anyway the banks are closing or suspending foreigners accounts left right and center.

There was a recent thread about this. DTV you can work remotely legally. Strictly speaking on Retirement you cannot. Less visits to Immigration Office with DTV. Money not tied up in a Thai Bank if doing capital option for the O. Costs can be debated but it depends how much you travel. Full 5 year O with multiple entry permit each year cost is currently. The DTV is 10k initial plus SP if that route plus border bounces for most. The "O" is a much more established visa and is "Owned" by immigration who also own entry and extensions for both. That could lead to a speculative area which I will leave for others.

Can't buy a car or have a Thai driver's license

Bank account is biggest issue.

And the other is you need to leave every 180 days (or do the extension which is not fun). But if you leave the country occasionally anyway this one doesnt matter

Another difference is with DTV you are allowed to work remotely.