ThoughtfulLychee5096 They're following the WEF playbook. Many neighboring countries have added a similar system to TDAC...however, unlike Thailand, every single one of these countries exempts permanent residents and sometimes, other types of long term residents from needing to apply.

Thailand has no exemptions for any foreigners except for those traveling on short term border passes without a passport, which means nationals of 4 neighboring countries. As soon as they use a passport, they too need to apply for TDAC.

Malaysia by contrast exempts Singaporeans and vice versa. Taiwan exempts long term visa holders. Singapore does too.

@Wannikea ********

Depends. If he's coming every 2 weeks for 2 weeks at a time for months or years on end, it just might. If he comes and goes every 2 weeks for 3 consecutive months, then leaves for a while, it might be OK.

@John *********

I agree, especially since he comes so frequently. Someone who comes for a few days, leaves for Vietnam for a week, comes back to Thailand for a week, then goes to China/Japan for 2 weeks, returns for 1 day and then goes home for 6 months before undertaking another similar trip with Bangkok as their base shouldn't have any issues.

However, someone coming and going every 2 weeks might start to get questioned at some point.

He spends an awful lot of time in Thailand. Even if it's 2 weeks in, 2 weeks out...if this is repeated over a long period of time one day an officer might deny him entry. Definitely apply for a DTV if eligible.

However, just reading your post again it says he stays only 1 week per visit...Ok, that's a bit different but still better to go for a DTV or a privilege visa.

@Lee-Ann ******

That's a good point and definitely true...but even there, you'll be surprised...while culturally, Thailand's neighbors are very similar to one another, some of their policies on banking, immigration, even land ownership may differ considerably to Thailand.

For instance, Malaysia, which is a collection of federated states, each have their own rules on whether foreigners can own land. Some states allow it, some don't. Most states allow foreigners to own residential land / properties above a certain value (leaving cheaper properties for Malaysians) but ban foreign ownership of farmland.

Cambodia remains easy when it comes to banking for foreigners and their accounts are in USD too, which is handy.

Vietnam is a disaster when it comes to banking. Highly restrictive; can't transfer money abroad online, no deposit ATMs. Very old school...only foreigners working in Vietnam can open accounts at all.

@Derek ****

Eventually, cards will be eliminated altogether anyway (not that I agree with that) but still, that's the trend. Same as passports...hence why they're beginning with things like e-visas, no longer stamping passports, e-gates and QR codes instead of passports (for Malaysian/Singapore citizens at their shared land border for instance).

@David ****

No, he's saying there is no need for the ATM/debit card....you can let it expire if you wish.

In other words...stay under the radar, ignore any requests to get your ATM/debit card renewed (or if you're on another visa, do it BEFORE moving onto the DTV) that way you have 5 years to worry about it!

@David ******

You don't know anything...also, don't come up with a false equivalency here. Thailand has it's own rules, which are often vastly different from the west. This is true for banking as it is for many other things.

Land ownership rules, work authorization, the level of wokeness/liberalism (or lack thereof), liberalism/conservatism, wealth levels, debt levels and so many other factors are significantly different in Thailand compared to the west.

@Lee-Ann ******

Sorry but no...1) you're not correct and 2) don't compare other countries with Thailand. Western countries are VASTLY different from Thailand in many respects, so don't try to create some kind of false equivalency. Let's talk about Thailand (and maybe compare neighboring countries) but forget about comparing Thailand to ANY western country.

Anonymous participant 804 Ever heard of agents? I would imagine a large percentage of retiree and marriage visa holders use them to get their yearly extensions, with the funds being transferred to the account holder's account only for a few minutes or up to max a couple of days, in order to produce a bank letter.

I don't think banks face any particular risk with the DTV, especially since so few are seeking the extension in country pathway...a few offices require 500K in a Thai bank account to get approved (ironic, considering so many have found their accounts frozen once caught on a DTV) so that is a stumbling block for many.

The DTV hasn't been well thought out and various government bureaucracies are not on the same page regarding this visa, hence why for now at least, most banks have decided not to allow bank accounts for DTV holders, but this could change in the future...but not until this banking crackdown is well and truly over.