@Dave *********

To check for transactions.

They have been finding nominees for years. Every now and then, there's a story about it. It's far more than 2 and it's a risky endeavor.

@Andy ***********

Yes, same for me and many others married to Thais and having Thai families (and working for non-Thai entities) or retirees.

I just wish there was a better visa for those married to Thais (and retirees).

Even the exact same length and period of stay as the DTV except with the option of working in Thailand (no employment prohibited remarks).

@Christopher ********

The disclaimer is on every embassy notice, but in practice, they may not do that. Unless you're aware of someone who applied in Indonesia, paid, had his visa denied and wasn't given a refund. So far, I have not heard of this happening anywhere except the online e-visa platform.

@Andy ***********

Yes because the Thai government (the MOFA) isn't prioritizing expats but trying to boost tourism numbers. The DTV is a decent visa but it's still basically a long term tourist visa not a residency visa.

The 90 day marriage visa continues to be available. It's the 12 month versions with a 90 day stay on each entry that are being phased out. The financial criteria for those is 400,000 in the bank but can be a foreign bank account if you apply at a Thai mission abroad..

It's dealing with in country immigration that is a pain as not only those married to Thais can attest to, but also retirees and other long-stay expats including those who work in the Kingdom holding a work permit.

I hope in future, longer term extensions become available for each of these 3 categories and not only very restricted ones such as the Smart Visa, which offers a lengthier stay than the normal non-B.

@Christopher ********

Each consulate is different, but in practice, embassies and consulates that still allow in person applications generally won't take your money unless you've been approved (or conversely will refund it if you're denied).

This is now changing with the e-visa system.

@Myles ******

I wouldn't be so sure. Super rich uses a good exchange rate and would work in favor of the embassies. The Xe rate is always in the applicants favor.

My concern is that embassies might use the local exchange rate of the banks in those countries, such as Australia, which offers a miserable exchange rate for Baht.

Since they accepted Xe in your case, then great.

@Christopher ********

Only if they don't refund the money if your application is unsuccessful. Laos does in fact refund your money if you don't get your visa.

@Andy ***********

You're making a strange assumption. I know of many foreigners married to Thais who live with their families in Thailand as they should.

@Andy ***********

And just on the visa matter - there are many schemes that are temporary or no longer available. Don't make the assumption they can't or won't do this to the DTV.

In no particular order, the following has happened over the years:

1. Special tourist visa - only available from late 2021 to late 2022 (for one year) in order to boost tourism as Thailand slowly started reopening at the end of the Covid restrictions.

2. Privilege visas- still available but their validity has been changed and prices increased.

3. Permanent residency visas- you used to be able to request one from a Thai mission abroad. This is no longer possible.

4. Multiple entry business and marriage visas - being phased out with the introduction of e-visas. Now only Laos (and a couple of others) remaining. Once they transition to the e-visa, it will be single entry only, meaning in country extensions of stay, which for some of those married to Thais can be complicated if they don't have 400,000 sitting around in a Thai account for 2 months before application. They can always use an agent but that comes with its own set of risks.

5. 45 day visa free entry- reverted back to 30 days after 6 months. Is now at 60 days since July, but this won't last either. They'll change it back to the old status quo, probably sometime next year.