You are already in Thailand as a tourist, and you cannot get a tourist visa while you are in Thailand. Tourist visas are only available from Thai embassies and consulates outside of Thailand, and you must be inside of the jurisdiction of the embassy to apply there.

They want to know the information on the flight that has you arriving in Thailand.

But in reality, it doesn't matter. The system is completely automated and no one is checking.

I haven't heard of anyone being rejected for DTV because of having ED visas in the past. But if you can apply for the DTV, sooner is better as the program could always change or disappear in the future. While many embassies require multiple months of bank statements, they don't all require that every bank statement has the 500,000. Many embassies only require the final bank statement to show the correct balance. Research which embassy you plan to apply at to find out their exact requirement in that regard.

@Terje **************

It's a grey area. Are you allowed to work? Not really. Is there any way for anyone to know you are working or to enforce it? Not really. A LOT of people work remotely without being on a visa specifically for that. A lot of people volunteer while on a visa that does not allow work. The odds of anything happening to you are incredibly low. Just don't advertise to everyone that you are doing it and you'll be fine.

No

@Doug *******

things have changed drastically since June. Many agents cannot open bank accounts. Many agents have started telling people to come with a non-O visa or they can't help them at all. The prices for agent accounts, if they're able to open them, have also increased drastically.

Although referred to as retirement visas, they are actually visas for people over 50, and the law that created them doesn't mention retirement at all.

The work prohibition for these visas is that they are work restricted for Thailand.

@Mike *******

The bank account is going to be the single most difficult part of the process. The sooner you can get it done, the easier your life will be in the future. If you don't mind applying for the non-O now, then I would do it.

You need to get the retirement visa before you leave for Thailand. You apply for it through the e-visa system from the Thai embassy in your country. Then once you get into Thailand, you can find an agent who can help you with the 1-year extension. But many agents can no longer obtain retirement visas inside of Thailand, so you need to get that before you go.

Anonymous participant 944 The visa is valid for 5 years. You have 5 years to enter Thailand.