For the wealthy pensioner category, the income must be passive. If you still have active income from abroad, go with the "remote worker" LTR category instead. You would need at least USD 80k in active income, or only USD 40k if holding a masters degree or higher. Also, if married, only one of you would need to qualify for any LTR - the other one would be entitled as a spouse.

You might even have to go twice. First you, to obtain your DTV. Then again for your spouse to apply based of off you being a DTV holder, then. But unclear at this point. May work in one go. I am not sure the children are entitled to a DTV - did the law mention children or only spouses? Also, be prepared to have to show financial proof covering each of them separately.

There is no fee to exit Thailand. And there is no “service fee” to make a smooth run. What does occasionally exist is outright corruption, extortion, and misuse of power by little despots in uniforms. One of the more ugly sides of Thailand (and even worse so in some neighboring countries). It is not like that (immigration) officers “can do whatever they want”. Unfortunately the means to stand your ground and to refuse and appeal are limited, lengthy and complicated. It seems that Thailand doesn’t really take the fight against corruption even remotely serious enough, or they would enable people to report and defend themselves against such unlawful actions. Nothing in the law (immigration act) states that one has to stay in a third country at least one night before returning - made up on the go as other things, too. But it is what it is for now. So, if you want to avoid friction, just extend a border bounce to a short trip abroad, enjoy a night or two abroad with those 2,000 THB instead.

@Colin ********

Gutcha. What I mentioned is my personal experience.

@Chris ********

The visa validity of 5 years starts the day the visa is issued. Your first 180 days start the day you enter.

@Samantha *******

Unknown at this point.

@Andi **********

Yes. Tax is another big topic I did not cover in that post.

@Rob *********

Thanks. I fear it may be too long to read for many. But a new visa category is a complex topic.

@Rob *********

Agreed. If not urgently needed now, maybe a good idea to wait a little longer for more clarity. In fact, I just published a separate post on that very matter. 🙂

@Rob *********

Some things we know for a fact. Other things vary between consulates. Some things we indeed don't fully know, yet. But if everybody followed your advice, nobody would ever get the DTV and we would never know. Think about it. 😉