Hi everyone,

I live in Koh Samui with my family and I’m on a Non-Immigrant Guardian visa (children on ED visas).

I need to open a Thai bank account for immigration purposes (Guardian visa extension, proof of funds).

Based on recent experience (end of 2025), which bank and which branch in Samui is currently the most foreigner-friendly and realistic for this situation?

I have passport, visa, TM30, local address, and school documents.

Any recent feedback (Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn, SCB, specific branches) would be really appreciated?

Thanks a lot 🙏

I answered questions. My wife and I are retired and live gold coast Australia.

Looking for local advise, thinking May next year.

1 week in phuket, 2 weeks in koh samui

Trying to decide what kind of visa to get, have 2 houses in Samui

How does DTV work?

Retirement visa is so expensive

Hello all. Anyone had any luck opening a Thai bank account with the DTV vissa? I’m in koh samui but willing to travel to phangan, suratthani or Koh Tao in order to open one. I also have a DBD to show if that will help.. thanks

I want to apply for Dtv visa, Soft power muay thai or cooking course.

My question is if the course has to have a minimum lenght to be accepted.

I'm still not sure whether to live in Phuket or Koh Samui, and what would be the exact location in one these 2 islands.

I don't want to pay for a course in one place if then I decide to live in another.

Would Muay Thai be accepted for a 55 years old woman? Obviously I dont want to go on the ring, but would love to get fitter. I regularly go to the gym and I can consider to do something more challenging. I would start from a basic course.

Thank you

Hi everyone!

I know it’s much easier to just do a border bounce, but does anyone know the current requirements for extending the DTV visa in Koh Phangan, Koh Samui or Surat Thani?

I’m traveling with my infant and feeling too lazy to go abroad right now, so I’d love to try the extension route first if possible.

Has anyone successfully done it recently? Any tips or updates would be super appreciated!

A few visa run agencies have stopped border runs (even for dtv holders) from koh phangan koh samui and koh tao. Anyone else experience anything similar?

Just wanted to share my experience applying for the DTV — hopefully this helps anyone going through it!

🗓 Timeline:

• Friday 24th Oct – Submitted my application

• Wednesday 29th Oct – Approved ✅

(No additional information requested)

🥋 Muay Thai Training / Activity Requirement:

I applied under the Muay Thai training category with Lamai Muay Thai Camp, Koh Samui.

They were really helpful and super quick providing all the paperwork needed.

The program is a 6-month membership, offering up to 6 days per week / 2 hours per day training for around 34k THB.

Attendance isn’t mandatory every day, but they did say to attend regularly (at least weekly) as immigration may check attendance.

📧 For anyone needing info or documents from them, contact Nikki at muaythaitour@hotmail.com — she was amazing and very efficient.

⚖️ Visa Assistance:

I used Siam Legal (Bangkok) for consultation and processing. They do charge a fee, but it made everything stress-free.

Highly recommend Kanda — she was fantastic and very responsive 🙏

✈️ Where I Applied:

I was advised to apply in Hanoi for faster processing — and that was definitely true. From submission to approval, it took only 3.5 working days!

🌴 Overall, it’s been a smooth experience and I’m really happy with how easy it was.

Hope this helps anyone applying soon — good luck everyone! 🤞💙

Hi everyone, would you please share any budget-friendly Muay Thai & Thai Cooking schools in Koh Samui for the soft power DTV? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hi, any recommendations for Muay Thai classes in Koh Samui- phoned round a few but they don’t offer. Many thanks