👋 Hi, Any Australian here applied DTV with softpower? I am considering applying DTV with culinary class and after a bit of research I found a couple of courses in BKK that I could attend. My question is my husband will be travelling with me once I get the dtv visa. According to the research that I’ve done, he is eligible to be with me as dtv visa holder spouse as long as we show enough fund to cover in our bank account. My questions are:

1) has anyone done softpower dtv in Australia if so, how easy/difficult was the process?

2) In the case of partner visa to the DTV visa holder, do they get the same entry eligibility ie, can stay upto 180 days with multiple entries for 5 years?

3) I would prefer the DTV eligible culinary classes in places like Hua Hin or Chiangmai however I couldn’t find any DTV eligible culinary classes outside of BKK. Does anyone know such course outside of BKK? Any advise from any Australians who have done this would be much appreciated. TIA

This is in the something else category.

I've seen some posts from British pensioners regarding the Certificate of Life sent out by DWP and getting it witnessed.

I recently got mine and took it to the piya baan in our village, she filled it in as witness that I am still alive and kicking, then stamped it for me. Everything she filled in, including her stamp was in Thai, but DWP have just messaged me by SMS that it has been processed and I don't need to take any further action.

I hope this helps others in the same situation.

Just watching a YouTuber who says he's lived in Bangkok for the last 10 years, and doesn't have a Thai bank account?! Is this a wind up, it seems most of the posts on here are about the importance of opening a Thai bank account?

Hello everyone

Surely that this question has already been passed and I apologize but I do not find any trace!

I planned my arrival in Thailand in early October 2025 to retire.

After much research I am confronted with many contradictions.

Regarding the obligations for the O and OA visa, a monthly income of 65,000 BTH or a bank deposit of 800,000 BTH or a combination of both is required: annual income + bank deposit must be 800,000 BTH . Can you confirm this last point?

I question you here because "youtubers" in place for years in Thailand indicates this modality that I do not see any way in my research.

Then for an application for a visa on the official website it is required an address of residence in the host country ( Thailand ) : or, youtubers indicate that the application for a visa can be made from abroad ( France ) for me . Necessarily impossible for a first expatriation: can you enlighten me about it please

These youtubers who ask for 60 Euros for an hour of telephone exchange! In view of the contradictions I have noted, I am not hot for this approach, that is why I am addressing you.

Is anyone know if you can keep your company if you would stay longer than 180 days outside of Germany? Or will there be any problems with the main residence or what could happen if you stay longer abroad, like in Thailand with DTV Visa. I'd like to have a German customer with a freelancer company to live and work from Thailand as long as I can. And then repeat

Many thanks to all the responses and great information! I now see that the Non O marriage visa is the best way to go. This is exactly why I joined this group. Thanks again and I can’t wait to get there and start meeting people and begin my retirement! 🙏🙏🙏😎😎😎🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭

I am getting ready to retire to the Korat area of Thailand with my Thai wife, probably in the next 2-3 months. I am trying to understand the OA long stay visa, and I am using the Thai E-visa official website, but I’m having some trouble understanding just what I need to do to get my application approved. I am from the US so hoping that there are people on this page from the US with experience having recently gone through this. I meet the financial qualifications so that’s not a problem. But can anyone explain the medical certificate and the certificate of criminal record clearance? Where do I get those? I have posted the page and it’s basically numbers 5-8 that are making it difficult. Any help/advice would be much appreciated! Thank in advance.

Hello group. My husband Gary and I are coming back to Bangkok and Hua Hin for a holiday and recognisance to hopefully collect further information on our hopeful retirement in Thailand. Can anyone suggest a business or someone to book a time to ask questions on the right type of visa for us, best locations to look at to live in etc. I have collated a lot of information but we want to go through this with the appropriate party to make sure we understand what is required. We want to check out some recommended areas to live, apartments costs before we move.

Thanks for any helpful info.

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to spend the Australian winter and summer in Thailand (about 90 days each time) and return to Australia for autumn and spring to maintain my Australian tax residency (since I need to be in Australia for 180+ days per year).

I'm looking for advice on:

1. Visa options – What’s the best visa strategy to cover two 90-day stays in Thailand each year? Would a tourist visa with an extension work, or would a multiple-entry visa be better?

2. Short-term condo rentals – Any recommendations on good platforms or specific areas for short-term condo rentals (90 days) that are reasonably priced and well-located? Ideally, looking for somewhere with good amenities and reliable internet.

3. Best areas to stay – I'd also appreciate suggestions on the best areas to visit and stay for 90 days at a time. I’m looking for a mix of comfort, convenience, and things to do (e.g., beach access, cultural sites, good dining options).

Thanks in advance for any tips or suggestions!

I am currently 'living' in Bangkok on my APEC business travel card which allows me to stay in Thailand for up to 90 days. But I usually have to travel out for business and leave at around 45-60 days mark for about 2 weeks and return back. So far, I haven't had any trouble with the immigration officers. But I reckon I can't continue to do this for long.

Because of this, I am thinking of applying for a DTV visa in Jakarta, Hanoi or Manila. But unfortunately, I can't apply under the remote worker category because my company will not certify in writing that I am allowed to work remotely in case the embassy asks that.

However I have I am a shareholder and a director of an investment holding company with 2 other business partners. Maybe I can apply on this basis. But I think it will be hard to provide further documents as I don't really receive a salary from that company.

Perhaps I should just go to Jakarta and apply under the soft power category using that 5 year Thai Botany seminars.

Does anyone has any suggestions and what's my best course of action?

I work and live in taipei, due to some reasons (employers) I have 3 bank accounts (under my name) with about 300k thai baht each. Combined they would get around 1 million. I was about to apply for dtv (soft powers) in taipei when I read of a folk who got denied cuz he had a similar situation and it seemed that 500k should be in a single account. Now I can easily move money from an account to the other but then I should wait 3 months before applying for the dtv. Has anyone gotten any issues by showing the proof of 500k on more than a single bank account? (just to clarify, money has been on those for over 3 months but none of those accounts has excedeed 500k)