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Answered5 months ago

What are the pros and cons of using the DTV visa for medical treatment in Thailand?

Gregory ********
asked May 29, 2026
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Give me some feedback…

I want to stay in Thailand 1-2 years to start. I’m not sure if my girlfriend and me will stay or choose somewhere else.

I don’t care about having a bank account as I can access cash and use PromptPay without it. I will be doing some medical treatments, seeing a doctor once a month.

Are there any negatives in just getting the DTV using the medical soft route? It’s good for 5 years, I can extend in country up to a year, come and go and there’s no need to park money in Thailand if not needed.
Answer summary
The DTV visa seems appealing for those seeking to stay in Thailand for medical treatment, allowing for easy entry and the possibility of extensions. However, challenges with in-country extensions and the need for proper documentation have been highlighted by the community. While accessing funds through services like PromptPay without a local bank account was discussed, some users expressed concerns about the visa's limitations and were curious about practical experiences.
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Chris *******
Chris *******
I'm just curious: how do you use PromptPay without a local Thai bank account? Is that by using TAGTHAi?
Victor **********
Victor **********
Chris Blunt There are ways to use the full QR scan features with the TrueMoney app. You just need to unlock it via kyc using a Thai drivers license, which you can obtain on some tourist visas like the ED and DTV. A certificate of residence, a vailid drivers license from your home country, and a International Drivers Permit is required.
Gregory ********
Gregory ********
OP
Chris Blunt it may not work but it shows the scanner open and from what I see it’s supposed to work. Even if it doesn’t, I’ve always done fine without a bank account.
Gregory ********
Gregory ********
OP
Chris Blunt as of May 19th, Wise allows using it through QR with virtually no fee.
Chris *******
Chris *******
Gregory Hilton OK. I guess that would only be for customers with a registered address in Thailand. My Wise account is registered in the UK. I'm in the Philippines right now, and I can do a QP payment using the QRPh system here, but I don't see the option to do the same with PromptPay.
Sean ******
Sean ******
'Give me feedback" (must be American lol) 🤣
Bob **********
Bob **********
Very few successful tries at extending in country what is your girlfriend doing for a visa
Gregory ********
Gregory ********
OP
Bob D'Andrea she’s Isan from Surin. We’re only wanting to stay awhile until her son finishes school.
Bob **********
Bob **********
Gregory Hilton much easier to do a border bounce on the DTV
Gregory ********
Gregory ********
OP
Bob D'Andrea yes
John ********
John ********
What's the magic word? "Please." "Give me some feedback." LOL
Gregory ********
Gregory ********
OP
John Tidona that’s fair and good manners for sure the way I was raised, but scrolling through the last 30? posts… not a one starts that way. Guess I didn’t want to be the one breaking the pattern. 😆
Peter ********
Peter ********
They aren’t he ones asking for help
John ********
John ********
Gregory Hilton Just be you
Steve *****
Steve *****
We bought a typical townhouse in the Watket area. That is a looked after area because there are 2 privat schools, a hospital, train station and much more. A public pool, a dedicated running lane for people to exercise.

We are renovating the house to a very nice style, all new painted, all new spc floors, all new toilets and wash basins, new big shower and of course a nice kitchen with 4 burner stove and oven. Every mm2 in the house is new. A nice new king size bed with a good mattress. Beautiful!

The rental price is 19.500 including high speed internet.

It is not ready jet but I can give photos in congress if you like. We expect the renovations will be ready second week of June.
Gregory ********
Gregory ********
OP
Steve Van sounds nice and at a good price but I’ll be in the northeast.
Eric ********
Eric ********
Easiest is just to have a baby with Issan sourced go go girl. New family visa every year and her mom raises your child. Also good for the birth rate.
Gregory ********
Gregory ********
OP
Eric Hansen 😂 just a tad past that possible phrase.
Peter *******
Peter *******
I believe a post should respect the moderators
Peter *******
Peter *******
May I respectfully suggest that you reframe your enquiry
Andy *****
Andy *****
Peter James lol… it’s up to you to help (or not) someone asking a question, based on their “please and thank you”.. it is a thankless task to try to police Facebook manners as you will be very very busy 🤣🤣.
Martyn *********
Martyn *********
WELCOME TO THAILAND
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
Your understanding is correct. Except don't count on getting extensions inside of Thailand. It's exceedingly rare, requires a lot of paperwork, and immigration simply doesn't want to do them. Most people that finally succeed are not likely to try again since they probably had to make 4-5 trips to immigration as they kept adding new requirements each time.
Gregory ********
Gregory ********
OP
@Brandon ***********
I’m good with leaving. I’d most likely go to see my family twice a year. I’d need to get a re-entry permit or that’s built in to the DTV?
Mike *******
Mike *******
Gregory Hilton i have DTV and love it, I'm close to the border so just hop over to Loas for lunch twice a year, highly recommend 👌
Mike *******
Mike *******
Gregory Hilton i was lucky to do the workcation route, you need to have an employment contract with an overseas company 👍
Gregory ********
Gregory ********
OP
Mike Smith I’ll be close enough to a border. What route did you use on your application?
Brandon ************
Brandon ************
@Gregory *******
no re-entry permit needed. A multiple entry visa gives the full entry stamp every time you enter during the validity of the visa.
Gregory ********
Gregory ********
OP

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