@Klaus **********

Yes. We are all still a bit in the dark regarding what kind of supporting documents actually will be accepted. I hope the consulates will update their takes on that within the next days. It is more open than just a strict employment contract, as freelancers and the like are also invited. But there would need to be some kind of prove of an income from abroad.

@Lee **********

Thanks. I am trying. I just still saw so much confusion even after the law was published in the Royal Gazette - so I thought I explain it with this analogy to the METV which some people know and understand already.

@Klaus **********

No indication so far that it needs to be in a Thai bank account. Highly unlikely this will be required, as this visa is geard towards people outside of Thailand. A savings account in your home country will do. A screemshot or something won't - send a real account statement with your name on it.

@Puja ********

Within the E-Visa system, while the form asks for your arriving border and plane and for an address in Thailand, there is no more actual prove of that required in terms of uploading flight tickets or hotel bookings. Why some consulates still ask for that is beyond me ... but that is what they tend to do ... each cook their own soup at times.

@Shaughn **********

Feel free to do so 😉 I never dove deep into the Elite visa. I never considered to pay that kind of visa fees for the mere "benefit" of being allowed to spend more of my foreign money for longer in Thailand. I think with both the LTR and the DTV in place now, the Elite visa should be dead. The Elite would have made sense at the time, if it came with better benefits, like tax exemption, work permit, or right for personal land ownership - but it didn't.

@Tom *******

I wish 😃 That is the Thai governments wording. I never quite got it. They mean attending leisure activities like boxing or language courses. But it is unclear of how long or extensive such a course would need to be to qualify.

@Simon ***********

Also not known. Certainly need to be proved at the time of applying for the visa. I would assume that immigtation in Thailand would also be within their rights to ask for proof again on extension, if they are in doubt. And even at the airport or land borders, immigraiton officers are at liberty to ensure you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Thailand. Theory aside - I would expect that you won't have to prove anything in most cases once you hold that visa in your hands.

@Andy *********

Not permanent residency, no (that is a different beast). But the LTR with the ability to stay up to 10 years without leaving is definitely meant for temporary residency. Isn't really of much practical consequence at this point, though.

@Corey *******

Not regulated in the published law. Will likely depend on the consulate which you are apply at. I would assume that it needs to be in a savings account in most cases - that was the case with requirements for other visa.

@Felix ******

The official law is published. It states exactly what I claimed and illustrates that the DTV works exactly like the METV - just with a longer validity and longer stamped in stays. So no need to debate this.

As for your other point ... well, that is dependend on how you define residency. But you are right, if opening bank accounts, getting 5 year driving licences, and getting a tax ID etc is feasable with the DTV ... then it can be seen as some sort of unofficial residency visa, yes. Strictly speaking a visa geared towards residency would allow you to stay in country beyond the threshhold of becoming a (tax) resident.