It really depends on your circumstances and what you are wanting to insure. Is it long term or short term holiday? do you want local Thai company or one from your home? have an existing conditions? It all factors into the equation and is not a simple answer since no two people have the exact same circumstances.

Health/Medical insurance can be cost prohibitive if you over a certain age or have an already existing condition. If financially stable some people get a policy with a high deductible like $10,000 and keep it for a catastrophe medical event, like heart attck, cancer, kidney failure, etc. They self insure everything else... so your financial situation is a factor.

You should work out the cost of insurance, the deductible you have to pay and potential of payout in a claim vs the cost to pay out of pocket. Also read the wording to ensure it will actually cover what you want, read the exclusions.... you fall down and smack your head and are over the legal alcohol limit, your claim will be denied, can't go over a certain elevations, etc. Know what you are buying. And disclosure existing conditions... insurance companies can easily determine if you lied on the application, especially with medical conditions.

@Bill ****

for a kid or spouse? Under non o can have trailing spouse. If you can't prove relationship for non o, it won't work for DTV either.

@Karl ********

yes, entirely possible in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia. Some are more strict, want 3-6 months of bank statements, some require appointments so make sure you check each embassies website first. Malaysia is also available but they seem to be making it extremely difficult to get it asking for documents to be certified, etc. Jakarta and Taiwan are talked about by a lot of people as being great to deal with, helpful and the success ratio seems higher.

@Karl ********

if you want to apply using the e-visa system in Australia you need to be physically in Australia. If you want to apply in one of the Thai embassies in a neighboring country, you physically go to that embassy as they do not use e-visa as of yet.

When you go on the e-visa site it asks you where you are "located" and what consulate/embassy you want to use. If you say located in Vietnam and want to use the Australian embassy it will tell you that you are not able to use the system. If you say you are in Australia when you aren't, that violates the terms and conditions of the e-visa and could result in asking for entry/exit stamps, a denial or issues when you try to enter.

@Klee *************

that could be why. We were told it has to be a regular "bank" account they would not accept investments, GIC, crypto only a regular everyday bank account.

We had a valid Non O, but hadn't entered Thailand yet, when we applied for the DTV. The consulate, Vancouver, said if we got the DTV they'd cancel the Non O. We told them there was an opportunity for a contract that a DTV would allow us to accept and had no issues.

You can leave without getting the re-entry stamp and that will invalidate the Non O. No idea what questions neighboring embassies will ask for to justify the switch.

@Jeff *******

there is currently no limit on the number of times you can enter visa exempt. It depends entirely on the immigration officer you are standing in front of at the time and if they think you are abusing the intent of visa exempt. It is currently at 60(+30 ext once) but there is no guarantee how long that will stay in place. You wouldn't be classed as a remote worker because you have to be back to do your job but you could consider the soft power options.

@Marvin ******

keep in mind this varies by what embassy you apply at and this is specific to Jakarta. Other embassies are asking for each person to show 500k THB or a joint account with 1mm THB. So you need to verify with the embassy you apply at.

Write off Malaysia. If you still want the DTV try Cambodia, Jakarta and Taiwan but don't forget to check the website for any changes before you go. Unfortunately it all boils down to where you apply as to what documents they ask for and Malaysia is making it extremely difficult to the point that it's the worst place to try. You aren't going to be able to report or complain to superiors, not because they don't have any but they'll just say you didn't qualify and it won't change anything. It's a very westernized way if thinking that just doesn't work here. I totally get it, it's frustrating and you haven't been treated well but you'll drive yourself nuts if you can't move past that. I hope one of the other embassies works out.

@Klee *************

we did ours in Canada, through Vancouver consulate since based west. My husband, the main DTV holder, was approved in 2 hours. My dependent or trailing spouse was 24 hours. You do have to show the marriage license for the dependent and because our account is joint, the balance had to be equivalent to 1mm THB. Highly recommend use the Canadian option, they are easy to deal with and you won't have to worry about getting things notarized or certified which some nearby embassies are asking for.