Dear All,

For a certain period of time I might need to pay daily living in Thailand with foreign credit or debit / travel cards, due to visa and bank account opening procedures and lead times.

What solutions do you guys use? My main currency is USD or AED. What would you recommend for the first 6 months of moving to Thailand when it comes to paying essentials?

Thanks for your recommendations.

Chris

Anyone else notice how Powell’s rate cut talk gave non-tech stocks like JPM, XOM, and CAT a nice boost? Kind of funny since tech usually steals the spotlight. Got me thinking how shifts like this affect where we put our money while living in Thailand on the DTV, especially when we’re all trying to stretch our baht a little further. Do you guys invest back home while enjoying life here, or just keep it simple and focus on Thailand life?

Part 2 of the marriage visa nightmare.

So. Drove back down to Korat immigration for another shot at the marriage visa. Had all the same paperwork from last time still stamped and everything. Fixed the ONE misplaced signature from last time. And BAM

NOW for some reason there's a signature that is wrong on our house contract. THE SAME HOUSE CONTRACT FROM LAST VISIT. THAT STILL HAS THE LAST IOs STAMP AND SIGNATURE ON IT.

Our landlord happens to be out of town and cannot expedite her information signature and ID card. So yay.

Have to come back FOR THE THIRD TIME. I am beyond angry at this point. The amount of time and money I have wasted on this is absolutely insane.

I am at a loss for words at this point. How is it paperwork last time that was correct signed and stamped now incorrect.

Sorry end of rant.

Hey everyone!

Just asking for maybe some advice / insight on what would be best to do.

My wife and I are planning to move to Thailand in September. We’re currently staying in the Canary Islands (not registered here though).

Now, we want to get a DTV visa (Muay Thai), and I have over a million baht in my account, but not for longer than 3 months yet. In the end of November I will get an additional 1.5 million deposit into my account so there would be plenty in terms of ‘$$’ in my account to cover us both.

Now we’re thinking to fly to Thailand mid September on a visa exemption on arrival (60 days), then extend with another 30 days AND THEN fly to a neighboring country to get our DTV visas done there.

We’re also thinking about getting a condo in Thailand when we arrive, but I understand that most landlords only allow a minimum stay / contract of 1 year, which is totally fine with us, but ‘what if’ our DTV visas for some reason wouldnt be approved, ‘what then?’ Is kinda what we’re thinking.. Is it then possible to fly to Thailand anyway and for example get an ED visa instead? We’ve only been to Thailand once last year for 3 weeks so no overstay/borderruns etc etc..

Just kinda looking into how maybe some of you have done it and maybe have some advice?

Many thanks yall!!

I am 53 and planning to move with my fiancé to Hua Hin from the USA in March 2026. Originally we were advised to wait until then because he turns 50 on Feb 28, that we should enter on tourist visas and apply for the non-O when we get there, and that we shouldn’t worry about being married or not.

But now, I’ve been told that we should get married and apply for the non-O before he turns 50 because he would qualify as my dependent. (I still am not sure about when/where to apply for the visa.)

Recommendations? Thanks!

Hi everyone! My husband applied for the DTV workcation at the London Embassy (as a British citizen) and he received a request for more info. They are asking for a utility bill as proof of residency but we've been living in Thailand for the last year as dependents on the kids education visas.

What other documents can we provide to prove we are in the UK? He doesn't have a UK driving license, and we stay at my brother's house so no hotel reservation.

Thank you.

Hi everyone,

I just got my DTV and I’m planning to move to Bangkok this September. I had two quick questions as I’m considering staying in Thailand for several years:

1. Is it possible to open a Thai bank account with the DTV? Any advice or recommended banks?

2. Is it true that you can become a Thai tax resident after staying more than 180 days in a calendar year? How does it work exactly in practice?

Thanks a lot for your help!

Hello friends. Preparing to use my DTV and spend significant time in Thailand. My team works west coast U.S.A. hours, so I'd be working 9pm - 6am on weekdays. Is it possible to still enjoy a good quality of life in Thailand as basically a graveyard shift worker? Any insights are appreciated.

Ok with all the lovely info shared by members of this group, got my starter pack ready lol … am I missing anything??

*Charles Schwab debit cards - for zero ATM FEES

*REVOLUT debit card- used mainly in Thailand?

*Wise debit card- main way to make payments without a Thai bank

*International Drivers License-

*DTV printed in A6 format.

*Passport

Am I missing anything ? -

*Health Insurance to be purchased when I arrive

* SIM card- will be purchased at arrival.

My DTV Visa Extension Got Approved

I just got my DTV visa extended for another 6 months *inside Thailand* at Chiang Mai Immigration.

Yes, it was successful — but the process was tiring, and mentally draining.

Let me say this upfront:

If you have the option to do a border bounce or a short trip to a nearby country, I strongly recommend that route. It’s far smoother and less stressful.

But if you’re someone who *has* to extend inside Thailand — or is just curious about how it works — here’s my experience.

## Document Checklist (based on my case):

You’ll need a solid stack of documents prepared in advance:

* Passport bio page copy

* Visa sticker page copy (*or eVisa printout*)

* Latest visa stamp copy

* 90-day report copy

* TM30 printout

* TM7 Visa Extension Form

* Bank Certificate

* Bank Statement (500K must be deposited 1 month ahead)

* Updated bank passbook (with transactions up to application date)

* House rental contract

* Rent transfer receipts (Your name and Renter name should be on those)

* Employment contract

* Company registration (of your employer)

* Employment certificate with most recent date

* Acknowledgement of penalties for visa overstay

* Resume / CV (for Workcation category)

* Proof of remote work (past and present projects, screenshots, links, etc.)

## Step-by-Step Process at Chiang Mai Immigration:

1. Start by getting a queue ticket for a document check outside the immigration building.

2. When the officer sees it’s a DTV case, you’ll usually be asked to consult with a specific officer since this category is still relatively new.

You won’t meet them right away — they’ll give you a time to return.

3. When it’s your turn, answer their questions clearly. If they feel your documents aren’t enough, they’ll let you know what’s missing and ask you to return the next day.

4. The next day, you go through the same document check process outside.

5. If your paperwork is complete, they’ll give you a new queue number and send you *inside*.

At this point, you’re moving in the right direction.

6. Present your full set of documents at the counter. When they see the visa type, you might hear:

**“Oh, DTV.”

**Pay the 1,900 baht fee.

Then wait again while the officer verifies your file. Sometimes, they may still request more supporting documents depending on your case.

7. If your name is called for a photo, that’s a good sign your extension is being approved.

8. Lastly, wait to be called again to receive your passport back with the new stamp.

✅ Done. DTV visa extension inside Thailand, approved.

##

The process can be far more complex than I said here and can be physically and mentally exhausting, especially when you’re not 100% sure what to expect.

I had to go back and forth over two days, and prepare a large stack of documents — many of which took time to gather. I had to talk a lot, clarify things over and over . It was a learning experience, but honestly one I don’t plan to repeat.

For anyone who still wants to try extending inside Thailand, I hope this post helps you prepare.

P.S. Luckily, I got the 6-month stamp straight away rather than the usual 'under consideration' stamp.