Anonymous participant 746 Language courses are 90 days and they are in person. The online courses were stamped out when the government uncovered the rorts. The "bunch of people" will eventually have their accounts closed. It's not an overnight process, it all takes time

Mr 5 Bank Accounts Correct, although entry requirements would possibly change. Does a person really need five years to complete a three-week cooking course? It may never happen or it may happen. I'm happy to be getting off it, because I see a rocky road ahead. The LTR seems a much better alternative as it's issues within the country through the BOI, so it does have a higher standing

Mr 5 Bank Accounts No, and it may never happen, but the government always stuffs around with "too good to be true" visas as we've witnessed over the years. The OA was the best visa but (like the DTV) was only available through MFA via embassies. Two years stay in the country, no need to transfer any money (although could open a bank account), and at the end of the two years,have a visit to the home country and repeat the process. Government saw what was happening, so they introduced mandatory health insurance, and it had to be through a Thai insurance company, therefore ensuring more money was coming into the country. Most OA holders then switched to O. The other one was the STV - nine months in three 90 day instalments, extendable at immigration, and again, no financial requirement. Immigration didn't like it, so it was cancelled.

Yes I'm only speculating, but I've witnessed two good visas get stamped on over the years, so that's why it's a fair bet the DTV will follow.

Mr 5 Bank Accounts Absolutely the DTV is very easy, which is why it's not so popular inside Thailand. It's possible to get the DTV with five dental appointments which are cancelled as soon as the holder gets into the country. Immigration is aware of this and that is why I suspect there will be pressure applied to the PM to make enforcement more restrictive. I do foresee a requirement to prove the 500k each time a holder enters the country, and perhaps show some proof that the five year term is necessary. Banks (through their own fault) have been burned very badly with this visa which is why accounts are being shut down.

@Khun *****

Absolutely. That's why there's no clear cut strategy. I know guys retired here who haven't been out of Thailand for years. The DTV would be the worst visa for them.

Anonymous participant 746 The one year ED visa is for university, that's a pretty major workaround to get a bank account! Furthur, as soon as the bank is aware you've switched to a tourism visa, the account will soon be closed.

@Sean ******

Most retirees want a bank account, so that's the biggest stumbling block. Although I'm a regular traveller and enjoyed the fact that I didn't have to visit immigration every year, I do regret the switch, although I'm more than happy now going onto LTR, which is probably the best visa for Thailand as there's very good concessions, such as priority entry, no 90-day reporting, and zero tax liabilities, and is multi-entry, so the flexibility is still there.

@Pete ******

Privilege Visas are a cut above the rest, although there's been a few instances reported when Privilege Visa holders had their accounts frozen, but the freeze didn't last for long!

Anonymous participant 409 Two errors. First, you cannot work on a non-O retirement visa, and second you can no longer open a bank account on ANY tourism visa.

I switched from non-O retirement extension to DTV, as on paper the DTV is a better proposition for those who travel regularly and works out cheaper. HUGE ERROR. My bank has given me six months notice to change visa to long-term or they'll close my account. I've lived in Thailand for many years and a bank account is something very useful that I've got used to. I couldn't go back to not having one. Also, Thai immigration hate the DTV, as it's nothing more than a glorified tourist visa. Very easy to get, but Banks hate it because there's no income requirement. I'll be switching to LTR before the end of the year. Too much stigma now attached to DTV