We're all in different situations. Some of us have money invested, passive income, on computer a lot, and so on. I'm obv not getting into details, it's been like this for 30 years for a lot of people and this is giving another option to everyone. My gut feeling is that the 500k baht is the most robust criteria, the rest is not super difficult as in I don't think it's gonna be hard to confirm that you are self employed.
It's a 5 years multi entry visa. You don't have to extend, it's just an option. It's like a Multi Entry tourist visa but 5 years instead of 6 months. You can in and out 20 times per year if you want.
Yes, or 180 + 180 extension if you want to extend instead of bouncing every 6 months (instead of 12), but since extension will likely be 10k baht I would rather bounce x10.
I've use Mukdahan and Nong Khai border for 12 years, never been asked to show cash or anything else. That's why I had my doubt that suddenly they will ask 500k baht for DTV, lol! Especially that they don't have the time to check everything on their computer who don't have as much stuff as at immigration. And the lines can be already long it would be a nightmare logistically.
What about if border run for 1 day every 180 days, do you have to show the 500k baht at border? I've never seen such requirement at any border on any visa, so that would be a first. Also, the proof of employment is only if you don't attend a course, muay thai, etc, correct?
Good, so I can just ask my parents to transfer the $ for a few days, go to Savannakhet, get the visa, then send the money back to them. But I would need to enroll in a cooking class or something else in the list which is yet to be finalized (about what you enroll to).