@Garrett **********

if it were a 5 year stay I would agree. But it's not, it's a 6 mo stay with the ability to do a relatively easy border run, or a more complicated visa extension. They also have been clear about the inability to open a bank account also.

This doesn't prevent anyone from living here on it, it just makes it inconvenient. For some that's fine. For my family of 5 it's not something we want to jump through the hassle of, and we want the ability to work with Thai businesses to support our business back in the US. DTV has some pretty strict limits on even communicating with Thai businesses even about business outside the country.

Just my opinion, but if you want to stay here more than 6mo at a time without hassle, get a different visa. That's all.

@Dany *******

haha yeah, we moved from Las Vegas. We save a bit of money, but 100% recognize we don't live the typical Thai lifestyle.

Here in Pattaya we can thankfully, but in BKK we had to pay via cash or Thai bank wire. So a week before rent was due we would just hit the atm every morning on our daily stop 😅

Big part of moving here was to show my kiddos they don't need as much in life as was taught to us. We get to bring some manufacturing jobs for the locals too, so it's a win win haha.

@Dany *******

I did not know you could top up with cash. But I'm not here solo, wife and three kids also lol. We burn through 300k/mo with rent and utilities being 100k. Wise wasn't an option so we would have to go to 3-5 ATMs to be able to withdraw all the money we needed.

Doable, but not convenient. And tourisim generally does better the more convenient it is.

@Monster **********

but your Thai friend doing it for you would help solve the issue of the other fake accounts being used to scam. I don't think there are nearly as many Thai people willing to put their name on an account they know will be used for scamming. Someone you have known a long time is likely a different story. So this current crackdown would do good by your logic.

@Dany *******

you can't setup scan pay without a Thai bank account. We tried true money when we got here in Dec and we couldn't link any US bank accounts (unless that's changed).

We have bank accounts that refund ATM fees, and CC are taken in a lot of spots (more than I had imagined). So we get along fine until my work visa is approved and I can get my Thai account. But the atm thing is kinda rare for people, so that isn't as convenient for most.

I've lived in BKK and Pattaya the last 5 months, it's definitely plenty safe to walk around with a week ot two's worth of money. But for many tourist who can't recognize the bills, an app would be far more easy and cheaper. My first month here it wasn't uncommon to mix up a 100 and a 1000B bill at quick glance.

It would just be helpful, I don't think it should stop anyone from visiting, long or short term though.

@Dany *******

I think if tourists had access to scan pay 90% of them wouldnt want one.

@Patrick ********

I thought you may have some more rare and expensive items, I would definitely fly with them if you feel you can pack them well enough. The luggage fees are FAR less than import fees, and you don't have to have customs rummage through your stuff unattended for weeks.

I think some people maybe underestimating the cost of your equipment. Shipping by container is liable to be flagged for import fees, which if you don't declare (with receipts) they will look for the highest price online and apply a 10-30% fee. While I'm in a different field of audio (car audio engineer), bringing a few suitcases of equipment could very easily land a $3000-6000 import fee 😅. So depending on the cost of the items needing declared, it maybe far cheaper to fly in with everything (or even rebuy here, I did this with my PC and work stuff).

+1 for DTV not being for long term. You aren't applicable for a bank account, while you can live here on it, it's intentionally difficult to do so as that is not the intent.

@Skin *********

it's to keep foreigners from taking the business opportunities of the locals. The lower cost to open businesses are left to them so they aren't flooded out of their own market.

To note it's my understanding that it's 2M in registered capital, not invested. But to understand the thai legal difference I would talk with an agent. That's your best bet, doing it yourself without a Thai local helping will be difficult.