@Iain ********

the tax dodging comment is illogical fantasy haha. They still swipe the card and copy your passport. Its just more practical if you need more than 30k and you skip the 220 baht atm fee

@Graham ******

lol, why would you think its to dodge taxes lol 😆 ? You still use a card that they swipe there and you need to bring passport. Literally no difference from using atm tax wise.

@Graham ******

to avoid the ATM fee and larger withdrawals

@Wabi *****

very much vary indeed. Every branch seem to have different requirements. Bangkok seems especially difficult. Apparently Pattaya is easy and cheap with agent, but doesn’t make sense unless you stay/live in Pattaya.

Bank account get easier after 90 day report, then you can get recident certificate at immigration. But no-one have tried this yet with DTV (obviously)

Showing a 6 month medical plan may get accepted at some banks with visas above 6 months

@Stephen *******

nothing is zero risk obviously. If you sit down and calculate the initial cost, running and unexpected maintenance costs, service cost, renovation every few years. And in the case of Thailand, loss of property value over time.

Then input the initial investment + running cost into a calculator like this. Use a conservative 10% annual average return and compare. You would be surprised. Most people dont realize how fast the compounding snowball effect is.

After deducting rent, you would still have allot left on your investment income.

That said, buying single property can make personal level, but not financially and liability wise. To generate real income from property you need to go big so you can dept scale and leverage to generate cash flow.

Not bashing your personal choice, just trying to explain why rental makes financial sense compared to outright buying property.

One day i will buy property, but it will not be a financially effective choice.

As for investing, think low cost “world market “ etfs which track the global economy. Individual countries are too risky for long term (in my opinion anyway)

Now we haven’t even discussed risk of political instability etc. Renting gives allot more freedom and liabilities in so many ways. Only downside is you may have to move, as its not yours.

@Stephen *******

glad you are happy with your situation. But that’s not how compound interest work 😉

Zero risk in condos? Im not gonna even….

@Stephen *******

you don’t understand finance then. Happy that it has been suiting your life, but investing the money instead would get you allot more appreciation of your capital even after considering rent paid..

- liabilities and risk. Not only does thai condos often depreciate in value long term, the building are often neglected and badly maintained which contributes to depreciation of value and reduced “occupant value”

I would buy a house one day if im absolutely certain i would live there for my remaining days. But it would still be a bad financial decision vs renting (but perhaps a good home decision)

I can guarantee you 100% you lost money on your condo vs leaving that money in the market to generate compounding interest rate.

As already mentioned, I don’t see how a agent would add any value with applying DTV.

From the US should be able to apply trough E-visa system

Requirements listed here:



You apply directly here



If you meet requirements it should e fairly straightforward. Easier than applying for tourist visa.

@Tyler ******

one of of the options for DTV “soft power “ is a medical appointment.

Be aware my experience was specific to the Jakarta embassy. Each embassy/consulate seem to have their own “special” requirements