Hello dear friends.

I'm choosing between a DTV (Culture/ Soft Power) and ED visa. I have a few questions:

1. Has anyone recently received a DTV at the TSL in Chiang Mai? How easy is it?

2. How realistic is it to open a bank account with a ED visa in 2026? For example, in Chiang Mai? Has anyone recently managed to open a bank account with a ED visa?

3. What are the pitfalls when choosing between these two visas? How important/desirable is it to have a bank account in Thailand? Does it make life easier? Especially if there is the potential to get a retirement visa later?

4. How time-consuming is it to update/prolong at the immigration office if I have a ED visa? Is it difficult? Is it easy? Does the school help with this?

5. How much does it cost (given the same course price) - 10,000 for DTV visa (as far as I understand, it's for 5 years). With a single visa, it's 2,000 THB the first time and 1,900 THB every three months. For example, with two trips per year, that's another 2,000 THB. On the other hand, with a foreign visa, you'll need to leave and return twice a year.

So, for two years (let's assume):

In terms of cost, it's 10,000 THB for a foreign visa, and 16,000 THB + 4,000 THB= 20,000 THB (roughly) for ED visa.

In terms of convenience, with ED visa, there's no requirement to leave, but you do need to report every three months. With a foreign visa, it's the opposite. Furthermore, when renewing, there's a chance of being denied entry (is this true?), if you can't prove you still meet the criteria.

What are the other pros and cons? Is there anything I didn't consider?

Thanks for your opinions and answers.

Hi all , do people usually keep 2 separate Thai bank accounts, one for the 800000 baht / for visa and one for everyday?

Coming to Phuket in March from Vancouver 🇨🇦 applying 90 days visa here, after arrival, plan to apply 1 year Retirement Visa, please advice if we are required to produce Police Clearance Report from Canada? We collected a form from Thai Consulate, the PCR was included in the list Much appreciated 🙏🙏🙏

Edit: I meant bank accounts in Thailand - not Myanmar :)

I will soon need to end my business visa/work permit and find a different visa type. I have considered DTV (remote worker) as an option.

I've had bank accounts with two banks in Thailand for the last 5 years. What's the risk that these bank accounts will get shut down or frozen if I switch to a DTV? And what would be the trigger for the bank to learn that I have changed visa types?

Question: Can hubby and I arrive in Thailand on a 60 day tourist visa, extend for a further 30, while we apply for a 12 month retirement visa

OR

do we have to enter on a 90 day non O and then apply for the 12 month retirement visa?

Went to k bank this month and they gave me this info,said a non o will be fine

Hi guys, I have been seeing many posts about the bank accounts of DTV holders getting closed. And I am wondering if anyone with a bank account that was opened on the non immigrant B visa.

Background:

I have been in BKK for about 2 months on DTV. And I have a bank account I made in early 2023 when I was on a Non-immigrant B visa. I was hired by a company in my home country and entered BKK on that visa if I understand it right. I was hired in my home country so I was already an employee and was basically an expat worker entering Thailand.

I opened an account with help of the company right away, then later in a month or so, I got a work permit. So in my case it was not an ED visa or DTV when I opened my account.

Update info: My bank is KrungSri bank.

If you have any information, I'd appreciate it!

Currently i have Non B visa which will finish soon , if i change to DTV visa will by thai bank account remains active?

Ok. I got it. My non o. Will be in bangkok on the 18th. Not worried about tm30 . Looking for sum advice on a good bank to park my baht in and how I should go about doing it. From US and use BOA. Looking to land smooth.

I bought a condo in Thailand but I don’t have a bank account to pay utility bills or receive rental income. Is there any way to handle these issues?

Thanks