Hello everyone, hope you are all doing well

I am currently considering applying for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) and would appreciate some clarification from anyone who may have experience or reliable information regarding this matter.

I entered Thailand last year and obtained a work visa in Bangkok, which is valid until September this year (approximately five months remaining). I am already familiar with the DTV application process; however, I have received conflicting information from different sources.

My main question is whether it is acceptable to use a Thai bank account, opened under my name while working legally in Thailand, as financial proof for a DTV visa application. Some people have advised that this is permitted, while others have stated the opposite.

If anyone has successfully applied using a Thai bank account, or has official guidance or firsthand experience, I would greatly appreciate your insight.

Thank you in advance for your help

I am a Malaysian national intending to apply for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV). I have been a long-term resident of Mainland China, and currently living in Hong Kong and consequently, my primary savings (500,000 THB equivalent) are held in a Chinese financial institution. Could you please confirm if bank statements from Mainland China are acceptable as proof of funds? Additionally, are there specific notarization or translation requirements for Chinese bank documents?

Anyone know a gym in Bangkok that does muay Thai for DTV?thanks.

For expats that have a DTV (Destination Thailand Visa)

I'm on Visa exemption until March 16, then can extend for 30days and want to get a DTV

What embassy is the most relaxed with the 500,000 THB rule? where the money has to be sitting on the account for over 3 months

I've just transferred the money to an account, so by the time my extension ends 2 months will have passed since the money landed on the account (not the 3 months that some embassies ask for)

Any advice ? The funds are legit savings and online income, I just had them spread throughout multiple bank accounts

What is a DTV?

I am seeking recent feedback (from the last few months) regarding Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) applications submitted in Australia via the Soft Power route. Specifically, I am interested in:

1. ​Are applicants still receiving approvals using the 'Discover Thai Nature' 1-year seminar program?

2. ​Are 6-month cooking courses still sufficient for approval, or is it now advisable to book a 1-year course to ensure success?

​I comfortably meet the financial requirements and have already researched previous related posts. Thank you for your assistance.

Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): Application vs Entry vs Extension vs Ongoing Conditions

There’s been a lot of confusion about what the DTV actually requires and *when* those requirements apply, so this post lays it out clearly based on official wording and standard visa structure.

The information below is current as of 10 January 2026. As with any visa, rules can change, and if they do, Thai Immigration will formally publish updated guidance.

To be clear, this post is based on official sources, not second-hand stories, assumptions, or “someone heard from someone else” accounts. Personal anecdotes and rumors are not policy.

In my own experience, Thai Immigration officers whether at entry or during reporting have been consistently professional, knowledgeable, and reasonable. I’ve also seen no verified evidence of DTV holders being “hassled” at airports due to the visa itself. When issues occur, they are almost always unrelated to the DTV conditions.

I will post the links to the official sources I have used in the comments.

APPLICATION CONDITIONS (One-time assessment)

These are checked only when you apply for the visa:

• Proof of ฿500,000 THB (or equivalent) in savings

• Proof of eligible activity, e.g.

– Remote work / digital nomad evidence OR

– “Soft power” activity (Muay Thai, cooking course, medical treatment, etc.)

• Passport, photos, location outside Thailand, etc.

Important:

The financial requirement and activity proof are application criteria, not stated as ongoing conditions.

There is no official wording that says the ฿500,000 must be maintained after approval.

ENTRY CONDITIONS (Each time you enter Thailand)

When you enter Thailand on a valid DTV:

• You are granted up to 180 days per entry

• Immigration may (at discretion) ask basic questions about your stay

• There is no published requirement to re-prove:

– ฿500,000 in savings

– Active participation in your original activity

Entry is based on holding a valid visa, not re-qualifying for it. Technically, DTV holders must still comply with standard entry requirements applicable to all travellers; however, in practice it is uncommon for Immigration officers to request additional proof from DTV holders at entry.

EXTENSION CONDITIONS (Inside Thailand)

If you apply for the 180-day extension at Immigration:

• Extension is tied to your current lawful stay, not re-adjudicating the visa

· Extensions are an immigration process, not a visa re-application.

As of 1 Jan 2026, Immigration policy is that if you want to apply for the extension one must have funds in a Thai bank account, however currently DTV holders are not able to open Thai bank accounts.

Save yourself the headache and go for a nice long weekend out of country. There are plenty of cheap flights around SE Asia and some really beautiful places to see.

ONGOING REQUIREMENTS (What you must continue to do)

These *are* real, ongoing obligations:

- Respect stay limits (180 days per entry + optional extension)

- Complete 90-day reporting as required (in person or online, depending on eligibility and current immigration policy)

- Exit Thailand when required

- Do not work for Thai companies or earn Thai-source income without a work permit

- Comply with Thai law and immigration rules

- Be aware of tax residency rules if staying long periods

What is NOT officially stated anywhere:

- No rule requiring you to keep ฿500,000 untouched for 5 years

- No rule requiring continuous soft-power activity beyond the application period

- No requirement to submit ongoing proof of activity after approval

Key takeaway

The DTV works like most long-stay visas worldwide:

You qualify once → the visa is issued → entry and extensions follow visa rules, not application rules.

If Thailand wanted ongoing balance or activity requirements, they would be explicitly written, as they are for other visa types (retirement, student, etc.). They are not.

If anyone has official Thai government wording or document(s) that states otherwise (not agent opinions or assumptions), feel free to share it ill be happy to read it.

Hello what is the cheapest and easiest way to get a DTV , I am from Australia and just got a quote from Issa compas 50,000 baht, I’m sure there is a much cheaper way .

🎉 DTV Approved! 🎉

I just got my Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) approved today : Softpower Cooking class

Here’s my timeline:

📅 Submitted: 9th December (Paris)

📄 No Additional Docs Requested

☑️ Pending Approval: 30th December

✅ Approved: 2nd of January 7pm

Didn’t add any letter, just sent the minimum, exactly what they asked, not less not more.

I put Unemployed and under 20k per year earning, no problem.

Anyway thank you everyone for your help and hope I will help too by posting this 🇹🇭🙏

Visa valid from until dates means i can enter thailand in that timeframe but the visa itself starts only when it get stamped in on arrival?