What are the steps and tips for obtaining a DTV Workation visa in Thailand?

Hmmm - you must be replying to someone else. I made no comment about income affidavits or the combination method.

Sorry to say, but if she can't afford to follow the rules, then perhaps it's best she stays at home.

Something that gets missed quite regularly, the 800,000 must be seasoned for 2 months prior to the first extension, during the extension period leading up to the second extension, the funds must not drop below 400,000 at any point during the period of extension and must again be at 800,000 for a minimum of 2 months prior to the following extension..

I really recommend getting the Non O based on retirement in your home country. With that you should be able to open a bank account, avoid Bangkok Bank. When open deposit the 800k and when it's been in there 2 months you can start the process to get the 12 month extension of stay. You will need the proof from the bank you have the money deposited for the required time. All you need will be the TM7 form with all the photocopies required etc and its 1,900 baht. If you dont have the 800k available to deposit in the bank, you will have to use an agent to provide the funds. In Pattaya it's 12,500 to 20k, no idea how much in Hua Hin. Either way getting the Non O at home and opening an account before visiting an agent is still the best way. Many offices do not like the combination method as its too complicated.

You definitely cannot do the monthly income method in the first year so forget about that as an option. But that is not the initial problem. The first problem is opening a bank account at all because Thailand’s banking system presents a major catch 22 in this regard. Currently, if you walk into a Thai bank without an agent, most banks will not let you open a bank account unless you already have a non tourist visa (meaning at least a retirement visa -12 month visa extension) yet you cannot get a non tourist visa unless you have 800,000 baht in a bank account. It used to be that you could open an account on a tourist visa (or even a visa exemption), but nowadays you simply cannot. The Thai banking system started implementing new rules in this regard last year to cut down on the large volume of accounts being used in scams and other criminal activity. I don’t know if this helped the problem any, but this is the way it is now. You need an agent to help you get the bank account, and you are best served having them take care of the rest of it for you as well, as there are other requirements that have to be met and many immigration offices have their own unique “rules” that have to be addressed. Since you guys are planning on staying in Thailand long term it’s best not to have your introduction to life in Thailand to be trying to navigate through a complex, chaotic and continually changing visa system. Well worth it in the long run to have an agent take care of it all for you. After you guys have been here for a while and have learned the ropes, you might decide to do it on your own, but even then you might conclude it is not worth the hassle. You can be the source of the 800k, so that is not an issue. But, if in subsequent years you decide to try to use the 65,000 baht monthly method there could be problems proving that your mom has an income sufficient to meet the requirement because her SSI is only 1300 USD/43,000 Baht. I take it that it would be your intent to supplement it monthly but I do not believe that would be accepted as a reliable source of consistent monthly income. I am not positive about this, but I raise it so you can follow up on it. Another logistical thing to keep in mind is the recent change in the length of visa exempt stay from 60 days to 30 for most countries. You can get a 30 day extension for a total of 60 days in country but that does not leave you a lot of time to get the retirement visa/open a bank account problem sorted. Therefore you should plan on addressing this immediately upon entry, or begin the process before arriving. Now to get more technical, the best path is to apply (with an agent, in my opinion) for the 90 day non immigrant O visa either before coming to Thailand or after entry (on a visa exemption). Then you apply (again,with the agent) for the 12 month extension of stay/retirement visa. If you apply within Thailand you do not have to meet the requirements of providing a background check document nor do you have to show proof of Thai insurance. Good luck!

Use an agent for first year approx 50,000 open bank account first ensure 65,000 in bank every month then use that for second year

Making nayok